Chapter 627: Japan vs Portugal


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    The stadium was a cauldron of emotions, pulsating with anticipation and vibrant hues as the crowd roared, their chants reverberating across the stands.


    A clear partition could be seen in the stands, one side surging with the supporters d in blue and white, while the other zing like a fiery ocean of fire with their supporters d in the iconic red jersey of Portugal.


    It was like the sh of water and fire.


    Japanese supporters enthusiastically waved gs emzoned with the rising sun, their voices united in unshakable support for the team. Meanwhile, the Portuguese supporters proudly fluttered their g and banner, belting an anthem of pride.


    Truly, the stage had been set for one of the most anticipated matches in the group stage. With both their qualification in jeopardy, both sides were desperate to win the match.


    Inside the tunnel, the atmosphere was equally tense, tension palpable in the air.


    Both the teams were lined up side by side. As if a wall had been erected between the two sides, there wasn''t any interaction between the two sides.


    Hiro, however, could feel sharp gazes pointed at him. It felt like he was being stalked but whenever he turned to find out, the gazes he felt would immediately disappear.


    ''Am I the target?'' Hiro thought, after feeling that eerie gaze for the fourth time.


    Hiro silently rolled his eyes, jumping from one individual to the next. But he couldn''t find anything abnormal. It looked like they were minding their own business.


    ''Am I overthinking?'' Hiro questioned himself.


    Finally, after a while, the yers entered the field. Instantly, the atmosphere of the stadium soared to an unprecedented level.


    Like the rumble of thunder, the crowd echoed, their cheer shaking the entire stadium. Upon hearing the electrifying roar, Hiro couldn''t help but steal a peek at the crowd. While sweeping his gaze over the stand, Hiro''s gaze fell on one particr spot.


    At that spot, he noticed a huge poster of the legendary Portuguese, fluttering freely.


    ''They love their GOAT, don''t they?'' Hiro''s eyes constricted a little.


    ncing at the sideline, Hiro found the man himself— Cristiano Ronaldo. He was calm and focused, unfazed by the buzzing atmosphere around him.


    Well, given it was hisst World Cup, he must be anxious right?


    However, Hiro couldn''t detect a sublime hint of anxiousness on his face. Even so, Hiro could tell that he was masking his emotions.


    After all, if they lost the game and Colombia won theirs by a huge margin, they''d qualify instead, ending his dream to win the World Cup.


    Having won numerous titles, it was the most prestigious trophy Ronaldo coveted for a long time. For this reason, he has been pushing himself until now.


    However, right now, Hiro and Japan stand between Ronaldo''s dreams.


    In a while, as the yers lined up, the national anthem of the respective team began to sound. With their head held high and chest puffed, both sides proudly sang their national anthem.


    After the captain of both teams exchanged their respective pennants, the game began with the referee''s whistle.


    Beep!


    Portugal started the kickoff with a short pass.


    Immediately, the yers sprang into motion, dancing to the ball''s rhythm. Hiro, calmly positioned himself, while the rest spread to their respective formation.


    While the opposing side took charge of the ball, Hiro''s eyes drifted from one spot to another. Today, he rested well, and he was more sharp than ever.


    Before arriving here, Hiro had visualized the match many times. Even on their way here, he had skipped the visualization.


    So, immediately, he began to notice some pattern.


    However, he was aware that he couldn''t be hasty. Though he had started noticing some patterns, he had to remain careful. After all, he wasn''t against an average team. They could make spontaneous decisions on the spot.


    Hence, Hiro had to consider carefully before revealing his cards.


    Putting his pride aside, Ronaldo has taken the role of substitute. But that didn''t mean he wasn''t useful at all. He still possessed an enormous threat in the final third. Not to mention, the aura he carried.


    His presence alone could influence the other in the team.


    Even now, despite doing nothing, he seemed to be calcting something. However, he appeared calm on the outside.


    Meanwhile, the match was getting heated on the field. Both teams had begun attacking and they were each fighting for the momentum.


    However, until now, neither side could monopolize the momentum.


    It was like a swinging pendulum as both sides took turns attacking and defending. One


    moment Portugal would take the charge, and the next Japan.


    However, one thing was made clear, Yamada was pulling strings for Japan. So, the entire focus was on Yamada rather than Hiro.


    Even so, Hiro wasn''t upset about it. Rather, he was ted about the oue.


    The less he attracts attention, the more he can operate. With time, he would vanish from their sight, and they''d probably loosen their guard around him.


    That''s the moment, he''d strike.


    In the 39th minute, suddenly the game became even more intense. Bruno supplied a magnificent through ball to Leao. Upon collecting the ball, Rafael began to sprint.


    With swift nimble steps, he sprinted like a horse.


    Immediately, Hiro''s gaze scanned through the pitch. He found a total of five potential threats. The first was the sprinting Felix, the second Goncalo Ramos, the third Bruno, and two


    more rushing up front.


    The most logical option for him would be to stick with Bruno since Bruno was the closest to him. However, Hiro drifted to the defending third instead.


    The second option would be the other two sprinting from the midfield.


    But he knew that Yamada wouldn''t drop deep and Endo himself would position there.


    Rafael easily passed through one of their fullbacks. Then rather than crossing, he began to cut inside the box. There Hiroki Ito awaited him while Tomiyasu man-marked Ramos and at the same time blocked the passing route to Felix.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Suddenly, Felix began to cut inside as well. However, he began to drop back to the edge of the box rather than inside box.


    At that moment, almost everybody anticipated Rafael to pass.


    But instead, he lightly nudged the ball, venturing deep into the box. Hiroki extended his legs to stop him but failed tond a touch.


    At that moment, everybody had thought that Rafael would score.


    The Japanese audience was prepared to wail over the goal, their faces pale and horror- stricken. On the other hand, the opposing fans who stood behind the goalpost were prepared


    to throw their arms in the air and celebrate.


    Their eyes sparkled with excitement. But only some looked dull and worried.