In the Locker Room, we sat around and deliberated on our next play. "This is a problem. Their possession game is very strong. Too strong even. We can't just rush blindly at them. We need to calm down and calculate the timing of our tackles. They're planning something. I don't know what it is but they'll surely reveal it in the Second half.", I stated flatly, my expression scrunched up in deep thinking. "That's all well and good but what happens when we DO get on the ball? It wasn't easy to get our first goal and if we give the ball away again, there's a very big chance we won't get it back for at least 20 minutes.", Iemon replied and we all nodded in agreement. Sighs were ringing out all over the room, the mood plummeting severely as the silence in the room hung heavily. Chigiri's voice cut through the heavy silence with," Also, the plan you crafted up, Kaido. I'm not sure it will stand against a team like this. Their Defence is airtight, as you know, and what good will our Weapons be if we can't even get on the ball to use them in the first place?". Somehow, this got Raichi mad and he lashed out at Chigiri, "At least, the idiot came up with something. You didn't even bother telling us what your Weapon was in the first place so you have no place to lecture anybody about the usefulness of our Weapons, you waste of space!!!". I snapped in response, "RAICHI, IF YOU HAVE NOTHING USEFUL TO SAY, JUST SHUT YOUR DAMN MOUTH!!! He has a point. We need to create a plan for when we're off the ball. The fact is, we need possession if we're going to enact the 9-chambered Russian Roulette. As you've all seen, it is utterly worthless off the ball."
Getting up to my feet, I pulled up the small Whiteboard and rubbed off our former 4-2-1-2-1 formation. "We're discarding the 9-chambered Russian Roulette. Sure, it will give everyone an equal time to shine but it will quickly fall apart for a few reasons. One, the opponent's Defence might be too strong. Two, the opponents might know about our Weapons and how to shut them down. Remember, just as we study Game footage of others, they also do the same for us. It won't take long for Strikers with a working Brain to figure out our Weapons, the way we use them and how to counter them. Three, the 9-chambered Russian Roulette might not be compatible with some of our Weapons. For example, Bachira and his Dribbling will be hampered by the straightforward, One up front style because there will be nobody to support him or take advantage of the spaces he creates through his Dribbling.", I explained clearly as I wiped the Whiteboard clean and picked up a Marker. "Okay, since we have established the flaws in your plan, what do we do now? Do you have any new plans of attack?", Igaguri's voice rang out. That stumped me and I froze for a few seconds until I sighed in resignation and replied, "No. I...I got nothing, guys.". Igaguri piped up again, "So what's with all the talk about shutting down the initial plan? Shouldn't you at least have a Back-up Plan if you're gonna scrap this one? It's common sense.". This almost set me off but I managed to ignore it and just said, "I'm not hearing you proposing any other alternatives, oh wise Buddha. If you've got nothing, then shut it. If you're gonna-". "Calm down, Kaido. It's no use bickering with everyone. Let's just try coming up with something, okay?", Kunigami grabbed my hand and shook his head at me after saying that. I took a deep breath and sat back down, looking straight at the Whiteboard, deftly rolling the Marker between my fingers.
10 out of the 15 minutes passed like this, in complete silence. Every second that ticked by, the silence seemed to increase in weight until Isagi's voice sliced through the room, filtering into everybody's ears, tinged with a sudden spark of Hope and realisation. "I think we SHOULD scrap the 9-chambered Russian Roulette. I think I have something that just might work.". The silence in the room instantly shattered as wisps of Hope filtered into our hearts. I held out the Marker to him and he stepped up to the Board and started writing out a formation. It was 4-2-3-1 and in the positions were
Goalkeeper - Iemon
Defenders - Chigiri (right-back), Igaguri and Imamura (center-backs) and Naruhaya (left-back)
Midfielder - Raichi and Gagamaru (center-defensive midfielders), Kaido (right), Bachira (left), Isagi (center-attacking midfielder)
Forward - Kunigami (center-forward)
No one voiced any complaints yet but the silence urged Isagi to continue with his explanation. "Here's what we'll do. When we're off the ball, only the Midfieders will press, except Gagamaru. He'll float around to pick up any loose balls we might be able to force out of them. This time, we won't just rush them. There are fewer people pressing now so choose your target wisely and time your presses carefully. They might be aiming to force us to chase the ball and tire ourselves out. We will focus on counterattacking. Now, when we DO get the ball, we'll send it up front, straight to Kunigami. Using his Power, he will hold up the ball for Bachira, Kaido and I to rush forward and support him and then, the 3 of us will disturb their Defence, opening a path for Kunigami to score."
Skeptically, I chimed in, "They will already know of that plan. It was very effective against Team X so they'll definitely be ready. If they block Kunigami's shot and they end up with the ball, what then?". Iemon was the one to respond this time with, "Then, Raichi and Gagamaru will join you 4 in the attack to increase the chances of us retaining the ball if his shot does get blocked.". "But that's not enough. If they still end up with the ball and begin their own counterattack, what do we do? there won't be enough people to help out in Defence.", that came from Naruhaya. "Yeah, he's right. If your plan fails and they score again, we're dead.", Igaguri's panicked voice rang out. Suddenly, Raichi, of all people, stood up and said, "We'll go with that.". That shocked everybody to their core and we all stared at him in disbelief. Suddenly angry, he barked out,"What? What's with that look, huh? I'm egotistical, not stupid. We need to win so this draw won't cut it, am I wrong? We have a plan now so let's use it. It's better than nothing. It's risky and full of holes but if it'll win us the game, I'm down for it. Now, come on. We got a game to win.". With that, he stood up and abruptly left the Locker Room. I slowly stood up and said, "He's right. We got a plan now. Let's stick to it. Pull out all the stops and get this win. Come on, time's almost up.". after saying that, I led the Team out of the room and back onto the field where Team Y were waiting for us, ready for Kick-Off.
The second half started and Team Y had the ball. The Whistle blew and they started passing around again, continuing from where they left off in the First Half. This time, in our 4-2-3-1 formation, Kunigami moved up, just in front of Team Y's Defence and Bachira, Isagi, Gagamaru, Raichi and I ran around, pressing them but instead of the rushing, full speed, hyper-aggressive pressing we used in the First half, we stayed back, probingly moving forward, we chased after the player instead of the ball, never rushing to tackle but just putting pressure on the players, especially those with less composure than their teammates. As a result, we came closer and closer to getting the ball. On numerous occasions, we even deflected passes but Team Y barely managed to retrieve the ball. Our presence was causing slight panic among the Team Y players, forcing them into quick passes that pushed their teamwork and co-ordination to the brink.
Soon, it paid off for us. In the 58th minute, Gagamaru latched on to a rushed pass that was forced out of a Team Y player through Raichi's intimidating and relentless press. Quickly rushing forward were Bachira, Isagi and I as Gagamaru fired a long ball towards Kunigami. With 2 Defenders beside him, the ball landed on his lap and he managed to control it, hold off the defenders with his Power and slide the ball straight to Bachira who fired a quick pass to Isagi. Isagi was promptly mobbed by 2 midfielders so I moved with high speed down the flank. "ISAGI!! OVER HERE!!" I shouted to draw his attention and that of his markers but he noticed something else. Gagamaru, running up front in a curving run, from the touchline into the box so, he took advantage of the split second my shout created and sent a curving early cross into the box for Gagamaru instead. Kunigami had already drawn most of the Defenders' attention so it left Gagamaru with only one Defender left to mark him but given his Weapon, Isagi was sure Gagamaru would have no problem handling him. The ball was dropping slightly away from Gagamaru and the Team Y Defender so, thinking quickly, he sent his leg out regardless and managed to connect with the ball with a perfect standing Scorpion kick. The ball blasted off his leg and towards the gaol but the scrambling Team Y Goalkeeper barely managed to get his fingertips to the ball, forcing it against the post and out of play. The chance was gone but silver lining, we got a Corner Kick.
Bachira picked up the ball and moved it to the Corner Flag, ready to whip in a dangerous cross. Kunigami, Raichi, Gagamaru and I quickly moved into the Box, ready to receive the cross and get our goal to give us back the lead. The rest of Team Z had already made their way forward, ready to collect any loose balls and keep the attack going or cut out any chances of Team Y starting their own Counterattack. Isagi also made his way to the near-post, right in front of me but I watched him jolt and start looking around frantically. "Isagi, get your head straight. This is our chance to retake the lead. We need you here.", I snapped him back to focus and he nodded, muttering an apology which I promptly ignored.
Bachira, poised and ready to strike, fired an In-swinging cross from the corner and I everyone jumped as high as they could. Everyone except Isagi who took off running away from the Box. 'Isagi, what are you doing?', I thought alarmed but I had no time as the ball already sailed past my head. Team Y's Goalkeeper jumped the highest and, using both fists, punched the ball away from the Box, clearing it. "DAMN IT, THERE GOES OUR CHANCE!!", I shouted in frustration as I watched the ball's flight path towards Team Y's No.10. He was going to receive it and Team Y would start their Counterattack. I quickly started running away from the Box, sprinting back to help out in Defence in preparation for the Counterattack...…which never came because Isagi had somehow intercepted the ball with his chest, pushed the ball forward and booked it towards Team Y's Box again. He fired but the No.10 managed to block his shot so the deflected ball went sailing wide of the post, moving out of play. Our chance was gone. Again.
But Gagamaru had other plans. With everything he had, he lunged for the ball, leg outstretched and barely managed to poke the ball, redirecting it into the net. The sound of the Whistle confirmed his efforts had been successful. Unable to stop his momentum, he slammed chest-first into the post, his body wrapping around it for a split second but not even a hiss came out of him. This absolute CHAD had given us the lead back.
"YES!! LET'S GO!!!" we all celebrated and quickly ran to Gagamaru to check on him. "Bro, how in the world did you reach that?!! You are unbelievable, man!! Thanks to you, we have the lead again!!!", I stated with unrestrained Joy as I helped him up to his feet. He barely got up with a wheeze and a wince but he was up and ready to keep going. "We're back in front. What now?", he asked with a wince as he clutched his chest. "Now, we put this game to bed. One more goal and this game is over. Can you manage that?", I asked, gently rubbing his chest to ease the pain. He nodded and I said, "Alright. Come on. We have the momentum now. We can't let it go to waste."
Team Z 2 - 1 Team Y
As we made our way to our own Half, I managed to catch Isagi conversing with Team Y's No.10. I couldn't hear what they were saying but I knew from Isagi's determined face, he was ready to take him down. They would have their own personal battle in this match, I'm sure.
As the Whistle sounded for the resumption of the match, we noticed a slight change. The flawless co-ordination exhibited by Team Y had cracked and their passes gradually became sloppier. Taking this opportunity, we kept up the pressure, sticking to the plan we resumed the Second Half with. Slowly but surely, we started to get on the ball more and more until, around the 70th minute, we even managed to keep hold of the ball, passing around but, unlike Team Y, we had no intention of passing around, we were looking for another goal to finish off Team Y and put this game to bed. Isagi and the No.10 were going back and forth with each other. Isagi was on him like Flies on a corpse, never letting him even breathe. Every pass to him, Isagi intercepted. Everytime he had the ball, Isagi was right there, ready to steal it, sometimes with support from anyoe from Team Z. He was well and truly locked out of the game, completely isolated. As a result, the co-ordination of Team Y's possession crumbled and we were on the move once more.
In the 86th minute, Isagi intercepted a long pass towards the No.10. and quickly released the ball to Igaguri before sprinting off ahead. Igaguri fired a long ball upfield to Kunigami who chested it down and started moving forward. Immediately, he was besieged by 2 Midfielders on either side. Noticing that, I ran past him with my arm pointing forward, signifying where I wanted the ball played, to which he obliged and fired a lobbed pass, over an incoming Sliding tackle that finally took him down. The ball reached me and I controlled it immediately and started boosting forward at maximum speed. From the left came another Sliding tackle so I quickly slowed down and dragged the ball back with the ball of my foot and immediately flicked it forward to the same direction he was coming from, leaving him sliding past me and leaving a good space in front of me which I ran into with purpose. I didn't get far before another player stopped in front of me but I didn't slow down. Still moving at top speed, I suddenly cut the ball, with the outside of my foot, to the right and then, with the inside of my foot, to the left. The defender kept backing off and backing off so I repeated the inside-outside motion 2 more times and on the third, I moved like I was about to cut to the right with the outside of my leg but in the same motion, I swung my foot in the opposite direction, to the left. The ball, as if connected to my leg with a piece of string, followed and left the defender dazed and spinning until his legs twisted below him and gave way, dropping him on his chest and leaving me alone to keep moving.
Looking up, I saw Kunigami up ahead but he hadn't gotten to his ideal range yet. Somehow, my and Isagi's eyes met and without thinking, I set up and fired a looping pass over everyone ahead of me. The ball floated just inside the Box, about 16m to the left of the Goal, right in front of Isagi who, without thinking, sent his right foot at the ball. Connecting perfectly, a thumping sound rang out and the ball went flying off Isagi's leg, past the Goalkeeper and into the Top-right hand corner of the Net. This one is over. TEAM Z WINS!!!
TEAM Z 3 - 1 TEAM Y
The remaining 3 and a half minutes of the match saw a desperate Team Y try everything in their power to recover but as the seconds ticked away, so did their composure and their energy. So much so that by the final Whistle, the entire Team Y collapsed on the Pitch, some fell on their knees, some on their backs, some on their backsides and some on their faces, all radiating an aura of abject Despair, colour drained from their faces as the final Whistle sounded, signaling the end of the match, cementing their loss and, most importantly, Team Z's Victory. All of us erupted in a massive cheer, smiling brightly as we made our way back through the tunnel and into our Locker Room to cool down and digest the whole game and the resulting win. The Elation felt by every single member of Team Z was palpable. We fought hard, played with everything we had, never gave up despite getting rattled by the opponent's playstyle and their Equaliser. We didn't buckle, we didn't break. We steadied ourselves, fought our way back and we came out with a precious Win. "THAT'S 3 POINTS ON THE BOARD FOR US, BOYS!!!! HAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!!!!", I couldn't help but scream out as we celebrated in the Locker Room. The rest of the guys concurred and we went our separate ways after freshening up. The lessons we learned in this match will only serve to make us stronger and we'll definitely need every scrap of Strength we can manage to pull out if we're going to survive Bluelock's 1st Selection