Chapter 618: Uing Match
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Beep!
The matchmenced and immediately, the yers sprang into action. In the 54th minute, Son Heung-Min opened the score, stunning the thousands of home supporters.
With that goal, the match became even more intense.
Desperate for the goal, the USA began to take charge while South Korea dropped deep to defend, leaving Son Heung-Min on the top.
With the clock ticking closer to an end, the air around the room became heavy with anticipation. Hiro and the others, glued to the screen, intently watched the match.
In the 78th minute, Christian Pulisic began to charge from the left.
With him charging forward, the air crackled with excitement, sending a ripple of energy throughout the stadium.
The audience rallied, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Suddenly, the once tense atmosphere became extremely lively.@@novelbin@@
Pulisic continued to advance, his eyes gleaming with unwavering focus. Then he momentarily rolled his eyes to scan the pitch.
Bam!
He struck the ball hard, sending the ball flying inside the penalty box.
"Herees McKennie. Will he get the ball?"
At that moment, only two people could be seen advancing toward the ball. One was the South Korean keeper and the other was Weston McKennie, an extremely agile yer.
Both of them had their gaze fixed on the hoovering ball.
With every passing moment, the two drew closer to the ball. However, McKennie won the duel and slotted the ball inside.
"Goal!"
The entire stadium erupted in cheers.
Heaving a deep breath, Naoto said, "Isn''t he quite fast?"
The rest nodded their head. After all, they had seen him drifting past the South Korean yers like a breeze. Even though two other yers were already charging before him, he left them behind in dust.
"But who would win if Hiro and McKenni were topete?" Kein asked, his tone full of curiosity.
Upon hearing the question, they turned to look at Hiro. However, they didn''t utter a word and instead stared at him.
After the match continued, it became even more intense. Both teams made countless attempts to win. However, despite their attempts, they were forced to share the points.
Beep!
The referee blew the final whistle signaling the end of the game.
Exhausted and frustrated, the yers ceased their movement.
"Damn! That was intense."
Many eximed after the match came to an end.
Finally, the atmosphere of the room shifted. Previously, the entire room had been tense as if their fate depended on the game.
Considering the game''s intensity, the previously tense atmosphere was justifiable.
"Son Heung-Min, he was amazing in today''s match, don''t you think so?"
"Indeed. He was threatening the entire match. Especially, the first goal he scored after sprinting past three defenders."
"We can''t forget about the assist from Pulisic. In today''s match, he should be MOTM." With them talking, the room buzzed with lively chatters. Hiro, however, didn''t participate in the conversation happening around him.
He had seen enough and he could tell that the captains of both teams were influential in the match. However, the yer that left an impression on him was neither of them. Rather it was a yer that wasn''t talked about in the room.
''Just how much did you grow?''
Hiro pondered, staring at the screen.
On the screen, a rather lean individual with parted jet-ck hair was slowly making his way out. Drenched in sweat, he had a rather solemn expression.
However, he was only shown briefly before the cameraman shifted the focus to the South Korean captain Son Heung-Min.
''Will your injury strike again? Or has the future changed for you as well?'' Hiro couldn''t help but contemte.
In today''s match, Park Seung-Gyu had been extremely valuable. Although he didn''t get the spotlight, he had done his part wlessly.
He had grown even more terrifying than thest time Hiro had seen him. Thus, he couldn''t help but feel impressed by the shadow runs and the passes he had made in the match.
However, Hiro could tell that he had shifted his position.
Rather than ying as a number 9, he had been pushed to the side. If it weren''t for the change
in the position, Hiro believed that he could have been even more lethal.
While the others were talking about the match, Hiro was analyzing the performance of the South Korean number 11.
All of a sudden, Nanami walked before the screen.
"Is coach going to say something?"
The yers looked at him curiously. At the same time, an eerie silence engulfed the room.
Nanami cast a stern gaze and began, "As you can tell by the group we''ve been ced in, the matches will be tough. Portugal, one of the best teams in the world won''t give us an easy time and neither will Colombia and Egypt."
"Every single one of them is a toughpetitor. However, we are going to win no matter what it takes. Losing isn''t an option. So, be prepared."
Suddenly, the atmosphere of the room became heavy. Nanami had tantly dered that losing wasn''t an option. But some of them still held some doubts regarding their matches and
their opponents.
After all, they had been ced in one of the most difficult groups.
Egypt was a powerhouse team from Africa and so was Colombia. Especially Colombia, they
couldn''t be underestimated.
So, despite the powerful speech Nanami delivered, they couldn''t bring themselves to respond with enthusiasm and confidence.
They had prepared well. But yet still, some of them harbored doubts. Their squad had been massively rotated and there were even many new faces.
Nanami could tell that some of themcked confidence. However, at that moment, he noticed
an unusual gleam in Hiro''s eyes.
His honey-like eyes appeared different than the rest.
He couldn''t tell what he was thinking but he could tell that he wasn''t bothered by their
cement like the others.
Nanami, seeing the unusual gleam in Hiro''s eyes couldn''t help but feel assured.
Although Nanami had yet to see the spark of brilliance in his team, he still had faith in the
yers he had gathered. With them, he believed that he could generate some positive
oues.
So, he didn''t feel bothered about their uing match against Colombia.