The second set of groups went in for their 1v1 battles. Damien won his easily by a score of 30 points to 0.
It was time for the next round of the technical test. This would last the longest, and would require precision and accuracy rather than the players' skill.
Coach Joe with a notebook at hand spoke to the players "Alright lads, round 2 will be even more fun than round 1.
Round 2 will be a 2 touch shooting battle". He said, looking at the players.
"Oohh, I'm good at shooting. This gonna be too easy", a player said.
"My shot power may be a bit off but I think I could make it", another boy said.
"This drill will go like this;
You will stand 25 meters away from the goal. A machine will be placed a bit far but beside the players and will shoot out the ball towards you.
Your job is to control the ball first time, and score. And of course there would be a keeper to stop your shots from going in", coach Joe explained.
Due to time constraints, each set would play only 7 minutes. When a player from Group A shot his ball the Group B opponent would shoot after him.
The first to score 10 goals won the round.
The keepers were having their own separate trial and only 2 out of 50 keepers would make the team. So the stakes were high for everyone.
"This gonna be tough as heck, my shooting ain't all that", Sonny said with fear.
He turned to Theo, Theo had a grin on his face, he was very much prepared for this.
"I did train for this during the weekend. But score 10 goals? From 25 yards out?... before Theo?", he said.
Coach Joe and his assistants asked for only 2 groups to go at a time. At both ends of the pitch. And another 2 at a secondary pitch.
The first groups went into the pitch.
"FWEEE!!".
{After a while}
After 45 minutes and 27 groups playing their course. It was Sonny and Theo's turn to fight.
Theo thinking, while walking towards the half which he and Sonny would play. "I can't lose this one. If I do, I'll be out 2-0.
After all it Sonny shouldn't be an issue. The last round was definitely a fluke", he thought to himself while blowing air into his palms.
"Get ready quickly boys!", the assistant yelled.
Sonny did the run up-jump with his toes to get himself into a rhythm. Theo did kick ups, then got set.
They came together and stood 25 yards away from the goal. A machine was at Sonny's right while another was at Theo's left side, to give the passes.
Coach Joe watching on, looking at Sonny. "Theo has a better chance at winning this one. But let's see how Sonny performs". He thought to himself.
"FWEEE!!".
"Poo!!", the sound of the machine shooting out the ball towards Sonny.
Sonny controls with the inside of his left boot, which places nicely in front of him. He shoots the ball with his laces and delivers a quality power shot.
The ball flies into the back of the net. And Sonny scored the first goal.
"Ooohhh! That was actually so clean!", Sonny said excitedly.
Lets see Theo top that. He smiled and glanced at Theo.
The machine shot the ball to Theo. He controlled with the inside of his right boot into space.
And delivered a power curler into the back of the net effortlessly.
"You see that huh Sonny?!", Theo exclaimed to Sonny.
The two players scored the next 5 goals in a row. Until Sonny's 7th attempt came.
The machine fired the ball towards his feet, he tried to control the ball with the outside of his right boot but miscontrolled and the ball spun in the air.
Only a 5 second lapse was allowed per attempt so he didn't have time to wait for the ball to land. Sonny hit the ball first time on the volley, managing to make a very good connection with the ball.
It travelled, heading towards the top left corner, but the keeper got his fingertips to the ball and saved it.
"Bro what?! You chose freaking now of all times to save my ball?!" He exclaimed while on his knees, with his hands on his face.
He turned and faced Theo. Theo was passed the ball. He purposefully flicked the ball up with the outside of his left foot.
The ball spun to his right side, he spinned around and delivered a power shot with his right boot and into the net. Making it 7 out of 7 for him.
"Now he's just showing off at this point!", Sonny exclaimed with anger.
They both scored the next 2 goals, Sonny missed his 10th shot and Theo scored his.
That was 10 goals from Theo and 8 from Sonny. Theo won the round and it became 1-1 in the overall score to both the players.
"I mean, I tried. I'm not a very good goalscorer but I could definitely see improvement in my shooting from this round", he said optimistically, while looking at Theo walk off the pitch.
"Alright next group come in!", the assistant exclaimed.
Theo saw the goals which Sonny had a bit surprised he could pull that many off "He scored 8, I know he's gotten better, but he got better literally overnight. He was buns just a week ago.." he said.
He smiled and chuckled "Practice makes perfect I guess"
After a bit over 30 minutes The remaining 23 groups played their rounds. Some groups had won their opponents by 2-0 in overall score which meant they had automatically progressed into Day 2 of the trial.
Damien, Mikeal Soren and a few others had won by the 2-0 margin
{On the stands}
Kelly Mercer and her friends had left after the 1st round to have a break and do some classwork.
She came back to watch the final round of the trial and watch the final battle between Sonny and Theo take place.
"You mentioned you were here to watch a boy play right?", Michelle, Kelly's friend asked.
Kelly didn't respond, She just kept her cool.
Michelle grew suspicious and drew closer to Kelly's ear "Is it... a boy you like!"
"What?! No! Shut up already", Kelly eyes lit up as she responded.
"I'm here to watch for other reasons. I love football a lot and I love Rivermark a lot too, that's all", Kelly said while pushing Michelle back to her seat.
Michelle looked at her and smiled. She knew something was up.
Kelly continued to stare, watching Sonny prepare for round 3, she had a plan, and Day 2 was the day she was going to implement those plans.
The players were taking a quick 15 minute break before the 3rd and final round of the technical test which would conclude Day 1 of the trial.