Another world's soccer

*The spirit the guys showed in the first half has already gone down the drain. Since the Team Z guys scored a goal, there is too much pressure, and the guys are vulnerable now. They're confused, and that's destroying our formation and tactics.* I thought, sqeezing my shorts while biting my lower lip.

It was already 65 minutes into the game, and the forward for Team Z was already running to score a goal.

"Get ready, Atsushi." The coach said as I stood from my seat.

*Don't be nervous, don't be nervous.* I thought.

*I've seen the way they play, I can think of something.*

"Goal!"

*They've scored their second goal. Just a few more minutes left on the clock. Even though!We can still do something about that.* I thought as Teijiro ran towards me.

"Do your best." He said.

"I will." I said as we bumped our fists before walking past each other.

*Their defence isn't, but their goalkeeper is very good. Their midfield will be a problem, though.

"Akatsuki." I called, passing the ball to him.

"Sorry, Atsu. This might be hard, after all." He said, smiling painfully after passing the ball back.

*Yeah…*

"Don't think about that now. Listen…"

After letting him know what I wanted to tell him about, he looked at the others before looking back at me.

"That won't work. The goalkeeper is just unbeatable."

"I know, I don't plan on winning with just that. Just trust me and make the passes." I said as he nodded.

"Ha… I almost broke down there. I'll do my best, Atsu." He said, smiling at me as we kept moving forward.

"Anyway, it's a win-win situation."

"You finally got into the game."

I looked at the person who spoke to me and saw that he was the guy who scored from the free kick.

"Who might you be?"

"Well that hurt." He said, smiling.

*Who's this guy?*

"Well, I'll have to go score more goals."

"Okay, good luck then." I said.

71 minutes, and nobody scored a goal. The guys were getting more depressed by the minute.

*This is bad. Akatsuki has done what I wanted him to do. I have to do my part now.* I thought.

"Akatsu." I called as he looked at me and nodded.

"Aye aye, sir." He said.

Kimishita passed the ball to him, and he ran forward with it.

*He can't afford to back down now.* I thought, smiling at him.

"Don't let him get too close to the post." Their captain said as some of them ran towards Akatsuki, who dribbled past the first person and tried running forward.

*Just as expected, the middle is not too guarded. They pust a lot of trust in their keeper.* I thought as Akatsuki played a low through pass for me.

"Got it." I said, running towards the keeper.

"So that's your last resort? Have you guys given up?" The keeper asked.

*Gotta try what I can do.* I thought, stepping over the ball.

"Hmph!" He snorted with a smug smile.

*Yes, come at me.* I thought as he tried kicking the ball away.

I tapped the ball with the inside of my right foot towards the inside of my left foot, which helped raise the ball a bit.

"I can still get that."

"No, you can't." Akatsuki said, running forward.

"Tsk." The keeper uttered, still trying to stop the ball.

*I'm faster.* I thought, using my left heel to flick the ball over my head while running forward and scoring.

"Goal! And he has done it. They've got one goal!"

"Akatsuki." I called as he ran towards me.

"Haha, I just knew you'd score it." He said.

"I couldn't have done it without you." I said as we bumped fists.

We ran back to our position to get ready for the game to continue.

"Heh…? It's really hard for others to score us. I'm surprised you did."

*With their much trust in their keeper, of course we'd score them. But it looks like their defence near the box would be tighter.* I thought, looking at Akatsuki.

"Don't worry, I've got faith in you." He whispered.

◇◇◇

86 minutes into the game, and we were going in for another goal. The others were getting back into the game, so passing became smoother.

"Hmph, you think we'd let you score again?" A defender asked, standing before me.

*Hm…* I thought, stealing a glance at my sides before passing the ball back to Yusuke, who had already run forward.

"What?!"

I ran forward, and he passed back to me.

*They're coming!* I thought, playing a lobbed through pass forward as Akatsuki controlled it and made a through pass back to me, making me score the second goal.

"Goal! They're levelled!"

*3 more minutes to go. We can try and score again or defend well.* I thought.

The game continued, and at the 90th minute…

"Goal! Team Z has scored at the very last minute." The commentator said as I looked towards the post in shock.

*What was that? They were saving their best for last? How'd they get there so fast? It's over. It's all over.* I thought as we continued the game.

WHISTLE.

"The game is over, and Team Z has come out victorious…"

*Ha… it's over. What was I expecting? They were good enough to score the first two, so of course they'll be able to score more.* I thought, still standing where I was while looking up at the sky.

"Atsushi."

*Damn it! Even after telling Akatsuki that I'll do my best. After promising Teijiro that I'd make something work. Why? Why did I have to lose focus at the last minute.* I thought, biting my lips.

"Atsushi!" Akatsuki called, hitting me at my back.

"Ow!"

"Let's go shake hands with them." He said as I nodded.

*I almost forgot.*

"Wow, I didn't expect you guys to score a goal, let alone two. But in the end, we can't just draw against you guys." The free kick guy said.

"Yeah…" I said, my eyes fixed on the ground.

"Nice game there."

"You guys were really good."

◇◇◇

"Guys, tomorrow's match will be the last for the group stage. Make sure you come out victorious." The coach said.

"Yes coach."

*Tomorrow's match, huh? I hope we don't lose again.* I thought, walking back to my room.

"Atsushi-kun." Akane called, looking at me concerned.

"Hm?"

"Well, I… I hope you're okay." She said.

"…"

"Akane, the guys are waiting for us in the room."

"Okay, I'll be up in a second."

"I'm going to bed." I said, walking out.

"Atsushi, why do you sound so…"

"Atsushi, come on, let's go play some games." Akatsuki said, pushing me from behind.

"Yeah. Oh, Akane. What do you need?" Teijiro asked.

"I just wanted to speak with him."

"Oh, looks like he's kinda down. But don't worry, we've got this." Teijiro said, reassuring her.

"Okay. Goodnight, then."

*…*