Chapter 446: Anticlimactic Game
Well, the first few attacks earlier turned out to be just a teasing matter. It seemed that JEF players wanted to say, ’This is just a friendly game, but if you want it to be sweaty, we are also good to go!’
At least, this was enough to intimidate the national team.
After so many substitutions at the beginning of the second half, not a lot of players who were still remaining on the pitch were brave enough to face this situation. Only Mamoru was still trying hard to break through on the right side, but two players, far older than him, were enough to suppress the boy on that side.
The coach also started to go crazy again. Even though he knew that, besides Miyashiro, all the players on the pitch had just played for around 25 minutes, he didn’t hesitate to make more changes.
At least, in total, Higo counted that Kageyama-sensei had already used 26 players in this game, and yet, the most frustrating part was that he was still sitting on the bench, starting to lose hope of having a chance to play today.
’Tch, what a lie, Norio-sensei. You sure know how to get my hope high.’ He glanced at the goalkeeper coach stingingly.
Turned out, though, that today was not a good day for the national team.
In the 81st minute, a failed clearance from Yuta Taki, the team’s current defensive midfielder, made the ball bounce back to the penalty box. The Brazilian striker from the opponent’s side, Kleber, received that free ball easily, and before anyone could react, he put the ball in the back of the net with all of his power.
BAM!
"Oh! Another goal!"
"Damn, next season might be ours!"
"Come on, Kleber-san!"
All the supporters on the stand cheered for their favorite players, finding the situation to be more to their liking. Meanwhile, the atmosphere on the national team’s side was so dead that no one dared to utter a single word here. They just stood helplessly in the middle of the pitch, not knowing what to say.
This was definitely the worst-case scenario for them. They came here, replacing the main team, hoping to impress the coaching team with their performance. Yet, not only were they able to show a good enough performance, they even conceded another goal for the team, doubling the opponent’s lead right ten minutes before the game.
Instead of hoping to advance into the main team, now they had to pray that Kageyama-sensei wouldn’t give a red mark in his evaluation later.
Of course, one person’s misfortune was another’s happy day. This time, though, even though Higo tried his best to hide it, the corner of his mouth still curved slightly, finding the situation to be much in his favor.
’I feel like an evil villain who hopes for the main character’s downfall. Eh, no one cares about that. In the next friendly game, there is no way I don’t get the spot in the main roster.’
As for today’s game, he had basically just lost all of his hope here. Hell, if Norio-sensei asked him to come in, with only 8 minutes left, the boy would be livid straight away. The team had already lost, so why would he want to get a share of it?
Fortunately, the coaching team wasn’t that petty. Until the end of the game, no changes were made, and the intensity also dropped instantly. At the end of the day, this was just a friendly match, and this result was enough to give them an idea of their team’s overall state.
FWEEE! FWEEE! FWEEE!
After waiting for a while, the referee finally blew the whistle three times, ending the game for JEF United Chiba’s win over the Young Samurai Team.
"Yes! Not bad, team!"
"At least, we can hope for a promotion battle next season!"
"Come on! Let’s give a round of applause for the Young Samurai as well!"
As the supporters gave a standing ovation on the stand, all the national team players who had a game time today could feel their ears burning red. For them, this was basically a humiliation, a gesture that said, ’Thank you for being a good sparring partner for us.’
Nothing offensive, indeed, but when the national team players recalled their memories before the game began, of how they were completely confident in dominating the game, the slap on their face stung more than anything else.
A second division team trying to survive the relegation battle to the J3 league, beating the most talented youngsters in the country?
This sure was going to be a headline tomorrow.
’No need to be that smug, Bastard!’ Makino whispered sourly,
’What? I don’t know what you are talking about.’ Higo whispered back, his expression still flat. However, anyone who knew him could see the corner of his lips tugged a little, subtle for anyone to notice but not enough to completely hide his laughter.
’Tch! Which players feel happy when they see their team losing a game? You are a toxic teammate, Chibi!’ Makino complained secretly. Still, there was no heat in his tone, as the boy only threw it as a joke.
’Bah! Who cares about being toxic? Don’t you see those who haven’t played yet? They all look like Christmas is coming again.’ Higo’s grin widened more.
Makino secretly glanced at the others, and indeed, the situation was basically the same as what his best friend had said. It was the end of the game, and most of the players were still walking around to greet the supporters in the stands. However, those who still wore a vest on the back of the group, the sign that they hadn’t given a minute of play today, exchanged glances secretly.
Makino could feel the corner of his lips twitching when he saw this. As for Higo, the boy was holding back his laughter, muttering, ’See? I told you! Something is brewing in the team! The next game will be complete rock and roll for us!’
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