Chapter 651: Quarter-finals III


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    Even for Kane, it might be hisst World Cup. Having failed to lift any silverware with the national team, he probably wouldn''t want to blow this opportunity away.


    Though he didn''t show it outside, Kane was desperate. After losing two consecutive Euros, Kane had grown even more anxious.


    Nheless, he had full faith in the team.


    Against Ennd''s star-studded side, Japan had gathered a well-bnced team.


    However, even with the Japanese team''s depth, the spectators'' eyes converged on one individual-Takahashi Hiro.


    It wouldn''t be an exaggeration to dere that they wouldn''t have made it this far without his help. Hence, even in this match, the fans wished for him to produce some miracle.


    For the first few minutes, the Japanese side struggled to retain possession. Unable to get hold of the ball, they were reduced to defending.


    With his brows knotted into a frown, Nanami anxiously nced at the opposing reserve box. His gaze darted to a rather old-looking bald individual.


    The man before him didn''t have a spec of hair on his head. He was lean and he carried himself with an aura that seemed to intimidate any who looked at him.


    The man was Pep Guardi.


    Upon resigning from the Man City job, he had taken the managerial role of the English team.


    Considering that it hadn''t been long since he renewed his Man City contract, his resignation was rather surprising. Well, after extending his contract, the team did perform poorly for a while. Even so, he was quick to redeem himself and bounce back.


    At one point, the title contender Man City had dropped to the twelfth position in the ongoing season. However, with his tactics, he helped them finish second in the league.


    Though they couldn''t manage to win the league like they were doing before, he had still retrieved their reputation.


    "It''s already difficult to face a team of this caliber. But if that team is led by Guardi, the strategist, the difficulty immediately soars to an unprecedented level."


    This bald man who observed the match with solemn expression from the sideline could be regarded as one of the best managers in football.


    ''For sure, it won''t be easy,'' Nanami couldn''t help but reveal a self-deprecating smile.


    On the pitch, the English side were overwhelmingly dominating the ball possession. With swift passes, the English side moved the ball around.


    If it weren''t for their thorough preparation, the Japanese side would have already conceded two or more goals.


    ''Guardi likes to dominate the possession. So, they''d move the ball a lot. You can expect them to keep passing the ball. Let them pass. However, keep your senses keen and strike the moment you find an opportunity. Just remember, don''t be impatient, and keep your cool.'' While moving along the pitch, Hiro couldn''t help but recall the words of the manager.


    Though they appeared to be struggling, it was well within their prediction. Hence, Hiro wasn''t anxious at all.


    While moving swiftly, Hiro kept scanning the pitch.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The English yers had scattered all over the pitch, the distance between them small. Even though they appeared to be maintaining apact formation, there wasn''t much space open.


    ''Just how the hell did he manage to make these yers coordinate to this level?'' Hiro couldn''t help but admire Guardi''s tactics.


    Usually when a team full of stars is assembled, their synchronization sucks, leading to many missed passes and mistakes. It''s usually due to their contrasting roles and egos.


    However, Guardi somehow managed to bring this star-studded team together.


    During his reign at Barcelona, he had managed to achieve that feat because most of the


    yers were already familiar with the philosophy of Barcelona.


    The likes of Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta, could pull out brilliant ys because they were familiar with each other.


    However, after he left Barcelona, Guardi struggled too.


    Even though he managed to bring the best out of Bayern Munich, he couldn''t create the ir he did at Barcelona.


    Even Man City took time to flourish under him.


    However, he had managed to pull the same feat in less than a year this time. Hence, Hiro couldn''t help but feel astonished at this change.


    While scanning the field, Hiro''s eyes dpidated suddenly. His heart rate spiked and he swiftly turned around.


    Hiro''s instincts screamed louder than any chant from the stands.


    John Stones, the towering English defender, was racing up the left nk, his movements uncharacteristically aggressive. The ball was passed to him with a precise flick from Den Rice, and suddenly the entire Japanese defense was under siege.


    "Look at this, Stones is charging forward like a man possessed! He''s not just defending; he''s trying to carve through Japan''s defense like a hot knife through butter!"


    Hiro, standing near the halfway line, tightened his stance.


    While others were focused on Stones, Hiro figured that he wasn''t the final piece of the puzzle. He knew what wasing. Stones wasn''t just advancing-he was drawing attention to create chaos in Japan''s already thin backline. A quick nce revealed Harry Kane advancing menacingly in the box, waiting for the cross that could seal Japan''s fate.


    Even though the English side was dominating, this was the first time, the situation had gone this bad for Japan. With limited time to intercept the ball, it was highly unlikely for them to


    stop Stones.


    Stones had generated quite a distance from the nearest opponent.


    Summoning every ounce of speed, Hiro darted toward Kane, who moved cautiously evading the gaze of the opponent near him.


    Making use of their distracted state, he treaded to the opposite corner, away from the


    commotion.


    Upon receiving the pass aimed at him, Stones nced ahead. Then he drifted further into the


    opposing territory.


    However, the moment he changed his direction to cut inside, he wasted a few precious


    seconds. Taking advantage of his lost momentum, Tomiyasu caught up to him.


    Behind Tomiyasu, Hiroki, a short guy with blond hair, and a tank-like physique positioned


    himself. While Tomiyasu took the lead, he awaited Stones.


    Hiroki was prepared to intervene the moment he sensed danger.


    With a feint to his left, Stones tried to slip past. But Tomiyasu anticipated the move,


    stretching his leg out just in time.


    However, even with his timing, Tomiyasu missed the ball.


    Stones cleverly managed to get away from Tomiyasu. Then he immediately tossed the ball


    inside the box.


    Hiroki with his legs stretched managed to touch the ball. But it wasn''t enough to block it.


    The ball soared inside the box, and Aya''s gaze fixed on the ball. Detecting the presence of Kane who was wide open, Aya panicked.


    Having yed alongside him, Aya was well aware of how threatening Kane could be at this


    distance.


    But right at that moment, a savior came to his rescue.


    Time seemed to freeze as Hiro and Kane both leaped for the ball. The crowd roared, their voices merging into a deafening wave. Hiro''s leap wasn''t just about physicality; it was a


    testament to his determination.


    If it weren''t for his early anticipation, Hiro wouldn''t have been able to reach Kane. However, precisely because he had anticipated early, he couldpete for the ball. Even so, due to the sheer height difference, Hiro was at a disadvantage.


    Luckily for Hiro, he had correctly predicted the trajectory of the ball.


    If it weren''t for the slight deflection, the ball might have impably found its way to Kane. However, due to the deflection, the course of the ball was slightly altered.


    Hiro''s forehead connected with the ball, sending it soaring away from the Japanese box. But Hiro''s momentum carried him into Kane, and both yers hit the ground hard.


    For a brief second, there was silence-a collective gasp from the stadium. Then came the sound of whistles and ps as Hiro scrambled to his feet, holding his side but refusing to


    show any weakness.


    Some English yers were demanding fouls. The referee, however, said otherwise.


    "Unbelievable! Hiro just took on Harry Kane and came out on top! Just how did he predict this oue? While everybody was focused on Stones, he was the only one charging toward Kane. What a fearless effort from the youngster!"


    "This is why he''s special, Ethan. This isn''t just talent-it''s heart, pure and unyielding!" Thementators were left in awe. They couldn''t believe their eyes that Hiro who tailed


    behind in terms of height managed to win an aerial duel against arguably one of the best


    strikers on the.


    This was an unbelievable feat.


    However, the reaction of the crowd betrayed the fact. They were extremely amped up, their


    roars filling the stadium.


    With Hiro''s intervention, the ball fell to Japan''s defensive midfielder, Wataru Endo, who immediately spotted a chance. A long ballunched upfield found Kubo, still catching his breath but ready. The counter was on.


    Kubo calmly collected the ball and began to sprint immediately.


    The opposition, experiencing the counter panicked. Until a moment ago, they were the dominating side but now they were under pressure.