258 Off to the playoffs
The moment Hiro got past Pramveer, opposing defender who had stayed behind, his eyes shrunk to pin size and a cold sweat ran down his face.
The more closer Hiro got to him, the more his heart started to palpitate and a feeling of helplessness started to gnaw on him.
Even so, he was the last straw of his team. If he were to waiver now, his team would collapse for sure.
And he was well aware of that fact.
Thus at this desperate moment, he gritted his teeth and clenched his fist as he tried to suppress his fear.
Gritting his teeth, he somehow managed to suppress part of his fear and regained his composure.
At this moment, Hiro was already about five steps away from him. If he didn't react properly, his doom was inevitable.
"If you come against this type of player remember to keep your calm. Don't rush forward blindly. Try to analyse their eye movement, foot movements and body movements as much as you can before taking any actions"
While coming face to face against Hiro, the opposing centre-back recalled the words of his coach.
Thus before rushing forward, he tried to analyse Hiro's eye movement and foot movements.
By this time, effect of the skill Lightning Steps had already withered away. Even so Hiro's eyes looked as sharp as katana.
As if those pair of eyes could see beyond the figure of the defender infront of him, he immediately found a space behind the defender.
The defender on the other hand upon meeting the gaze of Hiro, felt his heart trembling. As if an unknown force was pressing upon him, he desperately felt like taking his gaze away from Hiro.
Even so, he was the last hope of his team. How could he bring himself to look away? He was well aware of the consequences of looking away at this moment.
Thus despite the bone chilling feeling he was feeling at this moment, he continued to track Hiro's eye movements.
Just then Hiro's eyes gleamed with a cold light similar to the light reflected by a sword under the moonlight.
The defender was quick to realise. Thus without wasting any more time, he immediately rushed forward.
He swept his feet towards the direction of the ball as he tried to make a clearance.
However Hiro gave him no opportunity. The instant he swept his feet, Hiro performed a swift one-two move using both his feets.
His movement flawless, his timing precise, the opposing defender could only look at Hiro with eyes full of terror.
And in no time, Hiro swiftly got behind the defender with the ball in his feet.
As if in this moment, he had teleported behind the back of the defender, he left the defender behind with only one move.
Despite witnessing such a thrilling scene taking place in the pitch, fans present in the stadium kept their mouth shut.
Hiro's immediate impact on the field was evident to every person present in the field. It hadn't even been one minute, yet right now Hiro was already infront of the opposing goalpost, one on one with the keeper, posing a threat to the opposing team.
Manager of Indian national team right now as he stood straight infront of the substitution box was sweating profusely.
As if his heart would jump out of his throat, he could feel his heart beating extremely fast.
Situation of the players on the bench of Indian national u17 team wasn't any better either. Right now, they all were praying in their heart.
Praying for a miracle to happen, praying for Hiro to halt his movement.
The opposing keeper kept his cool as he rushed towards Hiro while keeping his eyes fixated at Hiro.
As of this moment, he could feel his senses heightened as he kept his guard up while rushing towards Hiro.
Just then he noticed Hiro stretching his right leg due to which he assumed that Hiro was going to shoot.
Just like his assumption Hiro swept his feet towards the ball. However he didn't hit the ball, instead he swept his leg over the ball inturn tricking the keeper and sending him in wrong direction.
Just as Hiro faked his shot, he hit the ball with his left foot. At this critical moment, he pulled a rabona against everybody's expectations.
Even the fans were deceived by Hiro's movement. When Hiro stretched his right leg, imitating a kicking movement, everybody had assumed that he was going to shoot.
Not even in their wildest dream had anybody present in the stadium assumed that Hiro was going to shoot a rabona.
"Gooooaaaaallllllll!!!!"
The fans who were itching to shout, euphorically erupted at the same time as the ball crossed the goal-line.
Within few seconds of his arrival, Hiro scored a magnificent goal and finally broke the stalemate which had been going on for quite a long time.
How many players in history are capable of such immediate impact? Only few players in the history are capable of such feats. And usually every single one of those players are world class players.
And Hiro proved that he was player of such calibre. As per everybody's expectation, he delivered.
The player who had heard Hiro's words before comimg into the pitch was on the verge of tearing, "He.... He..... really delivered as per his statement"
The entire substitution box of Japan lit up at this moment. Finally the stalemate had been broken. Finally they could breathe a sigh of relief.
After this goal, Hiro scored yet another goal and sealed their victory. And just like this Hiro managed to send his team to the playoffs.
The match ended with a score of 4-2 and Hiro's goal were the deciding factor of the game.
Without his goal, at most they'd have only drawn the game.
Joyous laughter, blissful crowd, dancing players, after the match every player of team Japan let themselves lose as they celebrated their victory and their achievements.
With this they'd have to win only one more game to book themselves a spot at the u17 world cup.
Well even though they had to play two more games, as long as they could win the next game, they could advance to the final.
And the two teams who advanced to the final were guaranteed a spot in the u17 world cup regardless of the conclusion of the final match.
Because of the joy of reaching the playoffs, celebration among the team lasted for quite a long time.
Forgetting their exhaustion, every player of Japan indulged themselves in the celebration without holding back themselves.
This chapter is updat𝓮d by fre(e)webnov(l).com