My system allows me to copy talents

Chapter 371 Japan u17 vs Senegal u17 II

A stillness pervaded the air, settling like a heavy shroud as he cast his glance at the stand.

From a glance alone at the stand, Hiro could feel the sheer weight of the expectations placed upon him and his teammates. Their grim expression and hopeful eyes were a testament to the sheer importance of today’s match.

It was a match they couldn’t afford to lose under any circumstances.

Appearing rather stiff, many of his teammates were walking quite clumsily almost as if their movements were constrained by the looming specter of pressure. For sure, they were pressed by the hopes and anticipation.

Yet, amidst this stifling atmosphere, Hiro remained an oasis of calm amid the storm.

It wasn’t that he was oblivious to the mounting anticipation swirling around him; on the contrary, he was vividly aware of the weight of those expectant gazes. But long before, even arriving at the venue, today he had resolved within himself to face any scenario thrown at him.

Today, even more than those excited roars and the taunts of the opposing fans, it was the silent gazes of their supporters that were affecting them.

Standing upright facing their supporters, they then prepared themselves for their national anthem. While facing their supporters, many of his teammates were overcome by nervousness as they found it extremely difficult to look at the stands.

Hiro however, regardless of the suffocating grip of pressure lingering in the stand, looked straight ahead while singing the national anthem with much vigor.

Clap!! Clap!! Clap!!

And, as the national anthem came to an end, a round of applause followed. Similarly, right after their national anthem ended, music started to play again as the national anthem of the opposing team began.

‘I won’t lose today,’ With steely determination as he looked in front, Hiro vowed.

At this moment, the opposing players were readying themselves to start the kickoff while his teammates were also positioning themselves to start the match.

The opposing team had quite an impressive lineup. And even though their advancement was already guaranteed, they didn’t rest any of their best players.

Calmly sweeping his gaze across the field, he then identified a few of the opposing players that they needed to pay extra attention to.

Diouf, their number ten who had scored a brace against Argentina had been nothing but exceptional since the start of the tournament. And, Gueye who had scored a hattrick in the previous match against Poland, those two were on a roll.

Sure, every single one of the opposing players appeared threatening but those two were even special among specials. Thus, they couldn’t afford to lose sight of them under any circumstances.

Beep!!

Glancing at his watch, the referee then blew his whistle, commencing the start of the game.

No sooner had that shrill sound of the whistle echoed than the players sprang into action. And, as the players became active a whirlwind of movement and anticipation engulfed the field as the match unfurled before them.

On one side of the pitch, the opposing team stood resolute in a traditional 4-4-2 formation. Meanwhile, on the other side, Hiro’s team took to the field in their signature 4-3-3 configuration, poised for the battle ahead.

Instead of their usual aggressive stance where they pressed high from the get-go, strangely the opposing players opted for a more cautious approach by playing the ball in their half— tempting them to venture into the opposing territory.

Having studied their previous games, they could tell that the opposing team was up to something by playing in such a risky way. After all, such tactics are usually a bait.

Even so, they couldn’t afford to sit back today. They had to play like their lives depended on it. Nothing but a victory could salvage their fate in the tournament.

Covering the possible gaps in the middle while supporting his teammates who were pressing upfront, competing for the ball, Hiro vigilantly moved ahead. All along while moving ahead, his gaze darted from teammate to opponent, tracking as many players as he could on the field.

He couldn’t afford even a slight moment of carelessness today. He had to be prepared at all times and all costs. Only then might he be able to stop the opposing team? And, even with all this vigilance, it still wasn’t sure if they could win the game.

Despite playing the ball in their half, none of the opposing players showed any signs of nervousness. Even when facing the opposing players, they remained as poised as ever which made it extremely hard for Hiro’s teammates to snatch the ball away.

For some while, the opposing team continued to dominate the position. And when the opportunity arose, they didn’t hesitate to press forward either, launching calculated attacks that kept Japanese players on their toes.

In the stands, the Japanese supporters watched the match with growing trepidation and their brows furrowed with concern as they grappled with the realization that their team was struggling to assert themselves on the pitch. How could they dare to dream of victory when their players couldn’t even maintain possession?

Then, in a heartbeat, the tides shifted. In the 39th minute of the match, with a deft flick of the ball, Hiro tricked their number ten as he evaded his grasp. Threading a precise through pass to Nijichi who was streaking down the flank—a moment of opportunity poised to tip the scales in their favor.

A sense of urgency rose within the hearts of the opposing players upon encountering this attack from team Japan.

Given the numbers of the opposing players, they were still outnumbered. Yet, despite that, more of the opposing players were rushing back to defend. This showed how much they cared about this attack that was heading their way.

And, by no means it looked like they were going to let them pass.

Yet, still after making that pass to Nijichi while avoiding the opposing players using his skill Hawk eye, Hiro rushed up-field with his eyes full of hope.

If only Nijichi could supply a cross, they might be able to take the lead. But, considering Nijichi’s personality, it was unlikely to happen.

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