Chapter 283 Grand Stage
In that vast expanse, right now a moving black shadow could be seen from the ground. It's movement pattern was quite predictable. And upon closer inspection, one could tell that that it was a bird, a fairly bigger one at that.
Flying high up in the sky even higher that most clouds, a lone eagle was circling around an invisible perimeter. Sometimes flapping it's majestic wings while sometimes letting it's body move on it's own, it's sharp eyes were moving rather erratically as if it was searching for something. Probably it was searching for a prey right now.
However during it's pursuit for it's prey, right now a scene was being reflected in it's sharp eyes. The scene of a stadium filled with seas of passionate supporters.
Surrounded by those seas of supporters was a green field with different white lines engraved on it and that was the pitch where Japan u17 national team and South Korea u17 national team were going to clash against each other in a moment.
However all those things reflecting in it's eyes seemed rather insignificant to this mighty eagle as it immediately jolted it's eyes away from the scene of the stadium.
Even so, it continued to hover at the same location, continuing it's search for it's prey.
"Here they come" one of the fan present in the stadium, excitedly spoke as he pointed at the direction of the tunnel from where the players began to march.
Upon entering the field as Hiro looked up to check the weather, he couldn't help but notice that lone eagle flying in the sky, 'At the end of the match, only one team will emerge out victorious'
The figure of that lone eagle hovering in the sky made him think about the battle which was about to begin.
"Honey look Hiro has come out" Hiro's mother who was watching Hiro's match in the television screen exclaimed excitedly.
Takashi on the other hand, right now was hurriedly grabbing his beers from the fridge. He was very fond of watching a football match while sipping a beer.
At the same time on the field, numerous fans erupted into excited cheers as the queue of players finally walked out of the aisle after a lot of anticipation.
While the players took time to enter the field, they had been waiting for the players. Some of them had even spend more than 2 hours.
Thus at once as the players entered the field, the electric buzz of anticipation mingled with the loud roars and created an intoxicating atmosphere around the stadium.
Banners and flags, representing both the teams, fluttered proudly in the wind, displaying colours that ignited fierce loyalty.
At once as the players entered the pitch, a peculiar scent of the freshly cut grass combined with the scent of mouth-watering snacks from the concession stands, gushed towards the noses of the players.
Even so most of the players kept their cool as they strode nonchalantly, following the lead of the match officials who were going to officiate this game.
Japanese players dressed in their signature blue jersey while Korean players dressed in their orange coloured jersey walked in a disciplined manner like marching soldiers.
Infront of them bunch of people were grabbing the edges of their respective flags. Those bunches instead of moving forward, moved sideways. And at a certain distance, they then halted their movements.
Even the match officials then after moving certain distance, halted their movement as they turned to face the part of the staidum from where they entered the field.
Players of both the team followed suit as they walked towards separate side of the pitch. With referees standing in the middle, players of respective team stood alongside the referee in their respective half.
And as all of the positioned themselves together alongside referees, cameraman who were following their movements since they were inside the tunnel began to take pictures of them.
Click!! Click!!
Numerous clicking sound continued to echo as they stood there upright, posing for the pictures.
The rhythmic beating of the drums resonated throughout the stadium, fostering an infectious rhythm that fans instinctively adopted while encouraging their team.
Cheers and chants reverberating from end to end was creating a thunderous chorus that was enveloping the very essence of the game.
To experience this moment, a lot of players felt extremely grateful. Their eyes shining with determination was barely able to conceal the excitement hidden within.
However all of a sudden the stadium went silent as the commentator announced, "Now lets us all keep a moment of silence to honour the national anthem of team South Korea"
As he finished speaking, a song started playing in the background. As soon as the music started, players of South Korea lifted their hands towards their heart as they stood upright and began to sing.
Fans be it Korean fans or Japanese fans or outsiders who were simply present here to enjoy the match, everybody stood from their seats as they kept their mouth shut until the end of the anthem.
Clap!! Clap!! Clap!!
At once as the music stopped playing, a thunderous sound of applause reverberated from the stadium.
However the sound of applause lasted only for a while as the commentator announced the commencement of national anthem of Japan.
Before the start of the song, a ghostly silence engulfed the whole stadium.
The game and the vibe were important but respect was even more important.
Hiro and the rest of the Japanese players and Japanese people be it the people present in the stadium or the people seated behind the screen, stood still as they placed their hands on their heart and began to sing.
Although he was used to this feeling but no matter how many times he did it, Hiro always felt extremely proud while singing the national anthem of his country.
Being able to represent his country, being able to wear the colours of his country and being able to sing his country's national anthem infront of so many people, Hiro felt extremely grateful.
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