Chapter 399 Knockouts XI


    ??Pinpointing a location, he struck the ball right from the edge of the box. Almost simultaneously, both opposing fullbacks who were closing on him lunged to intercept, their bodies a blur of desperate motion.


    However, both of them fell short as neither managed tond a touch on the ball. They simply couldn''t time their intervention and the ball zipped past their outstretched legs.


    Gliding past the legs of the opposing fullbacks, the ball flew straight toward the post at an incredible speed, uninterrupted.


    While the ball rushed toward him, Simon bided his time as he patiently awaited for the perfect timing to act. Then he took a few steps beforeunching toward the direction where the ball was headed. He could urately predict the direction of the ball.


    Almost the entirety of the stadium had gone silent at the moment.


    Right at this moment, Alex who was slowly withdrawing felt a tingling sensation rising within him. For some inexplicable reason, his instincts screamed for him to act. Then he abruptly changed his direction and dashed toward the opposing post.


    The ball curved through the air, closing the distance to the goal with every heartbeat. Simon''s outstretched fingers brushed the ball, but the momentum was too strong. It nced off his gloves, altering its path, ricocheting into the pole.


    Thud!!


    The ball produced a ringing sound as it hit the ball and bounced back. Simon managed to keep the ball away. The danger however continued to lurk.


    Luckily however as it bounced away, it found his teammate and Simon couldn''t be more d about it. Seeing the turn of events, a subtle smile blossomed on Simon''s face.


    Immediately as the ball descended towards him, he cleared it away. Whilst still levitating in the air, he kicked it and sent it flying behind him.


    The ball then soared high in the sky. Upon seeing this scene, many Japanese yers felt their hearts palpitating. More than half of them were present in the opposing half and their defense at the moment was wide open.


    If any opposing yer were to take advantage of it, they might not even be able to react let alone prevent it.


    Trouble was brewing upfront. And, it had left them all terrified. But when they finally noticed Alex, it made their heart shudder.


    What is he doing there? When did he reach there?


    They couldn''t help questioning as they noticed the figure of Alex sprinting in their half. Luckily most of their defenders had stayed behind. And, they could only put their trust in them. Now, it was all up to them to stop him.


    They knew that they wouldn''t reach him in time. Yet still, they couldn''t afford to sit behind. So, immediately they began retreating.


    The moment that defender had cleared the ball away, Hiro had started retreating. And, now he was way ahead of any of his teammates who until a moment ago were just behind him.


    ''When did he?'' Simon thought as he picked himself up, astonished.


    As the ball descended steadily, Alex gently took control of it whilst still maintaining his pace. He barely slowed down for a mere second while trapping the ball. Then again, he immediately tapped into his zone as he elerated with the ball.


    Soon though, he found himself face-to-face against Sato. Swaying his body, he tried to trick him with a body feint. But failed to do so. Sato stuck to him like a parasite.


    While Sato kept Alex upied, Hiro steadily closed in the distance between him and Alex. Now, all he required was a few more seconds to reach him. If only Sato could keep him upied for a little longer, he''d be able to gang up on Alex.


    Seeing the speed at which Hiro was moving, many people were left astonished. Just only a moment ago, he was at the forefront. And, now he had made it all the way back while most of his teammates were still tailing him.


    Just how fast can he get?


    But before Hiro could make it to Alex, Sato got beaten. He could no longer keep Alex in check. Persistence could only bring him so far. The time he had brought was his limit.


    Mimicking his training drills, Alex finally got past Sato. Yet, it didn''t make him happy. Instead, he bitterly clicked his tongue as he advanced, "Tch—"


    He wasted a lot of precious time on Sato. And, he couldn''t help but feel irritated about it. He shouldn''t be struggling. Yet for some reason he struggled to get past a single defender. He couldn''t be more disappointed in himself.


    But it wasn''t the time to let out his feelings. He could reflect on his mistakes after the match. Now, he had a much bigger concern, a much bigger responsibility in front of him.


    After getting past Sato, it didn''t take him a lot to get past the other defender. In the blink of an eye, he got past thest remaining defender of the Japanese team.


    It greatly worried the Japanese supporters as they held their breath in exasperation. Alex was right in front of their post, and he only had a keeper to beat. If he scored this goal, it might very well plunge their hope of advancement.


    Despite his best efforts, Hiro could no longer reach Alex. Even so, he wasn''t willing to admit defeat. Nheless, he continued to chase. After all, who knows Shun might somehow bring him down.


    Almost every supporter of Japan put their trust in Shun. Some locked their fingers and started praying desperately for a miracle to ur.


    Responding to the demand of the situation, Shun left his post and rushed toward Alex. But he couldn''t afford to be careless. While leaving his post, he had to be concise of his post too. If he were to move too far, Alex might chip the ball above his head and he wouldn''t be able to do anything.


    As much as it pressured Shun, the pressure on Alex was huge as well. If he missed this opportunity, who knows what kind of negative reaction he would receive? For sure, he''d incur the wrath of the entire fanbase.


    He had to convert it under any circumstances.