Chapter 658: Hiro leaves the pitch


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    Hiro had been crowned and Japan had regained their lead.


    The English supporters were left devastated, most fuming. They were well aware of the significance behind this goal.


    Even with a star coach and a team full of superstars, if they had to walk out here, they wouldn''t feel good about it. They had high hopes for this team. However, right now, the very hope was starting to dwindle.


    Now, what were they supposed to do?


    On the other side, the buzz of the Japanese supporters was growing increasingly loud. Red and white gs fluttered wildly in the sea of supporters, while drums and horns synchronized to echo their euphoria.


    Their faces glistened with excitement and pride, tears welling in the eyes of some as they shouted Hiro''s name. This wasn''t just a goal-it was a beacon of hope, a reminder of the underdog spirit that Japan had carried throughout the tournament.


    Meanwhile, on the pitch, the celebration continued. Itsted a while before they returned to their position to resume the match.


    Despite the importance of this goal, they didn''t wish to be warned of time wasting.


    Upon returning to their position, they began to solidify their defense. Nanami immediately brought in three more defenders and utilized all the subs he could.


    It was clear to the opposition side that they would defend this goal.


    Guardi ever anxious made some changes as well. With his focus on attack, he brought in the best attacking line-up he could muster.


    Palmer, Saka, Foden, Bellingham, and quite a lot of attackers were on the field at the same time. Now, it was a battle of spear vs shield.


    "Don''t you think it''s quite a bold move from the manager of both the sides, Henry?" Ethan, thementator asked.


    "Indeed, I couldn''t agree more Ethan. However, the situation demands it and the managers are aware of their decision. With four additional minutes added on, we can''t rule out aeback yet. Perhaps, the oue might be different," Henry nodded.


    "Who knows Ennd could pull out ast-minute goal? Nheless, it''s a battle of spear and shield. Let''s see which side triumphs..."


    Hiro was also among the yers that was substituted. However, he wasn''t frustrated at the substitution. Rather, he was satisfied with the substitution.


    He had done everything he could.


    He had assisted once, scored once, and performed to the best of his ability. Though he regretted giving away the goal that tied the score, he had again made a difference.


    Now, even if he wished topete and stay put on the pitch, he couldn''t.


    The moment the announcement regarding the substitution rang, the entire stadium stood to show their appreciation.


    Just like the rumbling of thunder, a big round of apuse erupted forth, leaving Hiro stunned for a brief moment.


    p! p! p!


    Though he was startled by the sudden apuse, Hiro was used to the apuse. Having received multiple standing ovations, Hiro had already lost the count of ovations he had received.


    What could considered to be a great sign of respect, he had been receiving it like it was amon courtesy.


    Hiro looked up at the crowd and sized the crowd. Their ted faces and their appreciative apuse resonated with him. He could feel their emotions.


    However, rather than feeling ted, Hiro felt relieved.


    ''I have done what I can...,'' Hiro heaved a deep sigh, his expression at ease. ''I am beaten... Now, the rest is up to you guys.''n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Hiro didn''t regret the performance he had shown. He had exhausted himself badly. However, he didn''t feel bad about it.


    The additional four minutes though looked short. For the people under pressure, it was a long time. So, Hiro couldn''t help but feel worried.


    He had helped them regain the lead. However, the game was far from over.


    One could even argue that the real game had begun now.


    Slowly, Hiro walked to the sideline, his teammates cheering on him. Having exhausted himself, every step felt difficult to tread.


    Hiro could feel the muscles under his skin trembling and bulging. He felt as if he would get a cramp if he took even one more stride.


    Now, that the adrenaline had worn away, a sharp ringing pain coursed through his body. Every stride he took generated a sharp pain, making him convulse in pain.


    However, he didn''t show the pain on his face.


    Like a dignified knight after a fierce battle, he walked the field with a solemn expression. It made it seem as if he could go another mile.


    The people were aware of the fight he had put on the field for this entire ny minutes. Thus, they couldn''t help but revere him even more seeing him walking in a dignified manner.


    He still doesn''t look tired. How is he capable of this?


    They felt curious and astonished, watching him leave the pitch. At the same time, their respect for him grew even more.


    Even though Yamada and others had performed brilliantly today, they didn''t doubt that Hiro was the star of this match.


    Having covered the entire pitch, Hiro''s heat map was insane. Even thementators were shocked to find such a heat map.


    From the heat map, it could be seen that Hiro''s movement was mostly concentrated in the middle of the pitch. In today''s match, there weren''t any yers who had covered as much distance as Hiro.


    It could arguably said to be one of the best performances in the tournament.


    circte.


    Now with a performance like this, Hiro''s value would skyrocket even more. The world would be sent into chaos. Well, rumors regarding Hiro''s transfer had already sta Several articles revealed the interest from the top clubs in Europe like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, PSG, and many more.


    It seemed as if almost every club was linked to Hiro.


    Even though some people still believed that Hiro was overrated, most were desperate for


    their club to sign him.


    Well, they had seen his performance and they were mind blown.


    "You''ve performed well, Kid. Get some rest and leave the rest to your teammates," Nanami


    said to him, patting him lightly.


    Hiro looked at Nanami and nodded, a faint glow of determination shining in his eyes.


    It was like Nanami had said, he had performed well. And Hiro too believed that he had


    performed well today.


    For some inexplicable reason, he was satisfied with his performance. Yet still, a part of him couldn''t bring itself to rest easy.


    It was like a foreboding feeling hidden somewhere deep inside him.


    Well, he might be feeling such because there were still four minutes left on the clock and the game hadn''t ended yet. After all, a lot could happen in the four minutes.


    The game could change in a matter of seconds.


    Hiro grabbed the coat handed to him and wore it. Then he grabbed a bottle of water before


    plonking in one of the seats left for him.


    He squeezed the bottle and a stream of water sted toward his open mouth. He held a mouthful of water in his mouth and started to gargle.


    Then he spat it out.


    The water moistened the wall of his mouth and he felt rejuvenated.


    He was thirsty but he wasn''t hasty.


    Then he leaned back and shifted his attention to the match. Now that he had left the pitch and


    looked ahead, he started feeling anxious.


    The opposing side looked threatening. He could see the entire pitch, the position of yers, and the open spaces without relying on his skill.


    Well, the eyes of the spectator could see a lot more than the eyes of the individual ying the


    game after all.


    That''s why many people like to think that they could do it better if they were on the pitch.


    However, once they are set on the field, their vision is limited instantly. Hence, it''s difficult to


    find a yer with good vision.


    For the rest of the minute, even though the game became threatening, Japan held onto their


    lead. This eased Hiro and the Japanese supporters.


    With every passing second, they felt more relieved.


    However, the intensity of the unfolding game terrified them. Ennd, now on theirst wits


    became even more threatening.


    Beep!


    Seconds before the end of the match, the ball sted toward the Japanese post. Aya managed


    to keep the ball out. However, he couldn''t avoid giving them the corner. Instinctively, everyone could tell that this would be the final set-piece of the game.


    This further added to their tension.


    The entire English team moved up the field for the corner, swarming inside the box. Even the


    keeper had moved up the field, leaving his post vacant.


    Well, there wasn''t any need to defend any further.


    But the team required a goal, and he didn''t want to be ruled out.


    Trent was the one to take the corner. The Japanese yers were all gathered inside the box,


    their faces etched with fear.


    If they failed here, all the effort they had been making would amount to nothing.


    But they couldn''t even afford to think about it.