Chapter 292 Qualifier finals IX
Taking advantage of that opportunity, Nijichi shook his mark as he positioned himself in a better position.
If it were Kim Il-sung or any other players who were exceptionally good at defending, approaching Yutaka at this moment, he might have failed to move the ball forward.
However right now the player who was approaching him wasn't of that calibre. Although he was good at defending and was one of the core of the defensive line of the opposing team, he was still not at the level of Kim Il-sung or Kim Ji-hoon. With few simple step-overs, Yutaka successfully managed to dribble past the opposing defender who was rushing towards him.
However despite getting past his mark, he still wasn't completely free either. He only had about 2 or 3 seconds at most before another opposing player would come rushing towards him; blocking his path once again.
After getting past that defender, Yutaka then slightly lifted his head to take a quick peak at the positioning of his teammates.
Almost all of his teammates were marked. And compared to his teammates, opposing players were clustered in a greater number inside the penalty box.
Even though he had managed to dribble past one of their defender and was in a good spot to supply the cross, with his teammates outnumbered, the situation was still rather dire.
Unable to find any open spaces, Yutaka then glanced at the post, thinking of shooting a long range shot.
However upon witnessing the exceptional positioning of the opposing goalkeeper, he quickly dismissed that thought too.
Just then while he was hesitating to decide, all of a sudden Yutaka's eyes flickered as he struck the ball hard at the bottom. The ball upon getting hit, levitated in the air.
Noticing the approaching ball, several players jumped one after other to reach the ball. Be it his teammates or opposing players, everybody fiercely competed for the ball.
"Urgh!!" Nijichi jumped as high as he could to reach the ball, 'It's too high'
However the ball simply flew atop the head of every player present inside the box. It was like as if that ball wasn't meant for any of them who were inside the box.
For a moment a lot of people in the stadium were stupified, enraged, disappointed and relieved.
In this uproar, everybody seemed like they were forgetting about one of the most important player on the field.
Hiro who had successfully led two important figures of opposing team away from the box was still running along the opposite flank, chased by both Kim Il-sung and Park Ji-hye.
Witnessing the sprinting figure of Hiro who was running towards the direction where the ball was about to fall, a spark of hope kindled within the hearts of the onlookers who supported Japan.
At the same time, players who had failed to reach the ball a moment ago began to regain their composure as they positioned themselves for a possible second attack.
Assistant referee who was paying close attention to the ball, narrowed his eyes as he fixated his eyes at the ball and the goal-line. With his knees slightly bent, he was in a squatting position, preparing to lift his flag.
However he didn't get the opportunity to lift the flag as even before the ball bounced away from the goal-line, Hiro perfectly timed his shot and saved the ball from crossing the goal-line.
The ball then once again flew towards the box. And once again players of both the team started to compete for the ball.
However at this time Kazuki Suzuki one of the skillful winger of Japan luckily managed to connect the ball as he managed to head the ball by throwing his body towards the post.
If not for his decision of throwing his body without any care, the ball might have went astray and the referee might have blew his whistle, announcing the end of the first half.
But right now because of his decision, not only did he save the ball from going astray, he also gave his team the lead.
"Gooooaaaaallllllll"
The stadium erupted with cheers as fans of Japan leapt out of their seats and hugged each other, screaming with joy. Flinging their banners, scarf and jersey, they continued to celebrate the goal.
At the same time, on the field, Kazuki Suzuki who managed to create this euphoric atmosphere, rushed towards Hiro who had supplied him with the cross.
The wide smile on his face and the joy in his eyes were distinguishable. And from the affectionate gaze he was shooting towards Hiro, it was quite evident that he was extremely grateful towards Hiro.
It was Suzuki's first goal in this whole tournament afterall. And it sure was an incredible feeling to score his first goal. Thus right now, his feet was over the clouds.
"Kazuki Suzuki has managed to give his team the lead at the final moment. And with this goal Japan have took the lead once again in the first half" commentator spoke in his cheerful voice.
Upon approaching close to Hiro, Suzuki threw himself in Hiro's arms and hugged him tightly. His eyes were on the verge of tearing.
Hiro was taken aback by Suzuki's reaction.
"Thank you... Hiro" Suzuki spoke in a shaky voice. His tone was filled with extreme gratefulness and the way he was clenching onto Hiro clearly displayed his sincerity.
Hearing Suzuki's words filled with appreciation and gratefulness, a feeling of warmth started to surge within Hiro's heart. Hiro simply couldn't ignore the feeling of Suzuki.
Appreciating the feelings of Suzuki, Hiro then lossened his body as he reciprocated the feeling by gently patting him behind his back while letting out a gentle smile on his face.
Soon as other players of his team caught up to them, they also began to throw themselves atop Hiro and Suzuki as they all converged on Hiro into a giant group hug.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺