<h4>Chapter 356 Japan u17 vs Argentina u17 I</h4>


    November 14, 2023


    Jk Harupat Stadium


    Many people dressed in the colors of their respective teams were making their way towards the stadium, seemingly all excited. Most fans who appeared overtly excited were singing chants and waving gs while at the same time, vendors lined the streets, selling merchandise and snacks to the hungry fans on their way to the match.


    With these crowds of excited fans flocking into the stadium, the surrounding area outside was quite crowded almost as if a festival was taking ce over there. And the air was rather electrifying with the fans'' cheers, chatter, and chants.


    Such an excited atmosphere, however, wasn''t only limited to the surroundings around the stadium, though a bit less intense than the one at the scene, the scene in different parts of Japan where people had gathered to watch this match was equally electrifying.


    Maybe it''s because of the recent fame of the Argentinian side who had managed to clutch the title of the FIFA World Cup 2022 but though it wasn''t their senior team ying, people of Japan were showing great interest in this match.


    Awaiting the start of the match, they were both nervous and excited.


    Lined up side by side, except for the explosive chants echoing from outside, right now, it was rather silent inside the tunnel.


    For some reason, it appeared as if the yers of both teams were equally nervous about this match. Just from their silence alone and the fact that none of the sides were shing against each other, one could tell how tensed both sides were for this match.


    Not being able to use two of his most precious skills, Hiro himself was unusually tense today.


    In a while, as they walked out of the tunnel, they were met with a stadium buzzing with a cacophonous symphony of cheers.


    Though the stadium appeared rather lively, for some reason, Hiro couldn''t help but feel an unknown pressure weighing on him. The feeling was almost simr to the moment when he first stepped onto the field in the finals of the Takamado Cup.


    As he trod forward, his heart raced with every step he took.


    Looking around him as he noticed those expectant eyes, his heart raced even faster. Immediately, he then rolled his eyes away from the crowd.


    Why am I feeling so nervous today? It''s not like it''s my first time seeing those eyes, then why?


    Walking with his head lowered, he thought as he tried to figure out why he was feeling so tense today. Was it perhaps fear? He couldn''t be certain.


    But whatever the reason be, he couldn''t bring himself to look in the eyes of the supporters today.


    Shun, however, seemed unaffected. Enjoying this moment to its fullest, he walked forward looking around him, radiating an aura of unwavering confidence.


    Receiving the highest rating surpassing even that of Hiro, he was the MVP, the star of the previous match. And, he had brought the confidence of that match with him even in this match.


    Crack!! Crack!!


    While looking around him, enjoying the buzz of excitement lingering in the stadium, he cracked his knuckles, raring to go.


    ''If I can shut them down even the clubs from overseas will have to take notice of me,'' Shun thought, ring with passion to prove his worth.


    The ratings he had received in the previous match were a testament to his improvement. And, if he could deliver even in this match then it would only confirm that he indeed was growing.


    Yutaka on the other hand, appeared as nervous as before. Intentionally shrinking his body so that others won''t take notice of him, Yutaka as he trod forward was desperately trying to hide his presence.


    Well, some could even argue that it was one of the reasons why he could move swiftly in the field. The less he gets noticed the less the chance that anybody would mark him. Though it was as much as a blessing it was also a curse, since he might not get noticed by his teammates as well.


    And, what meaning would be there, if he couldn''t get the ball?


    After all, his greatest arsenal was his vision and passing. And if he couldn''t get on the ball then those blessings would renderpletely useless.


    Part of the reason why Yutaka wouldn''t get passes often in the match was because of his inability to call for passes. He''d always move in silence which often would get him ignored.


    Caressing the scar on his face while moving along with his teammate, Mateo looked at the stadium brimming with fans.


    ying as a substitute until now, this experience of starting waspletely unfamiliar to him. For a while, he couldn''t believe whether all this was a dream or a reality.


    The buzzing crowd that was looking his way, the buzz of excitement lingering around the stadium, and the view he could get while walking out of the tunnel, it was such a magical experience that he couldn''t even put it in terms of words.


    Suddenly though, he felt an incredible feeling of pride almost as if he had aplished something major emerging from the depths of his heart, ''I''ve made it to the starting eleven''


    ''Mom, Dad, Alexia, are you all watching me?'' looking at the digital screen, he thought.


    Mateo was aware that the more exposure he got, the closer he''d get to achieving his dream. And right now, getting a ce in the starting eleven, he couldn''t feel grateful towards his parents who urged him to take this chance.


    If not for them let alone being here, he''d still be as lost as ever.


    Retracting his gaze from the scoreboard as he turned to look in front, he was met with the re of udio who appeared rather irritated.


    Getting in a scuffle with him after the end of the training session regarding the new strategy that the coach hade up with, udio was still holding a grudge against him for stealing his position. However, he wasn''t the only one who was holding a grudge against him.


    The one who had been benched because of him was equally dissatisfied and angry as well.