“This is it,” Akira thought to himself as he stood up from the bench and stepped onto the pitch. Akira adjusted his boots one last time. My black silicone shirt plastered with my team’s logo - Nagasaki Junior High kept me motivated. While the headband he was wearing contained his black, silky hair. One last chance, one last push. As Akira walked towards the middle of the pitch, he admired the atmosphere of the stadium, it was a mesmerising sight.
Almost every area of the stadium was occupied by fans cheering on. A buzz of anticipation filled the air.
This would be the last game of my Junior High journey. It was the finals for the South Division Japan Junior High Competition. Akira had one more chance to help the school win a trophy. Football was about skill, vision, physical strength and speed. Lacking in one of these categories would result in a disastrous performance.
“Beep!” At last, the whistle was blown and the long awaited game had finally begun. Dashing forward, Akira attempted to steal the ball from the opponent. It was a difficult challenge but I had won the ball. Akira looked around, trying to find a teammate to pass to, and finally, he had found one.
“Jin!” Akira shouted as he tried to lob the ball to him.
“Eh?” There was no ball to be seen, everyone was starting to run towards me, I had lost the ball at an important moment. “Who was that guy?” I thought to myself. I didn’t make a sound, he was incredibly fast. As I started to make my way back, I realised it was too late. That particular opponent had already dribbled past 3 defenders and chipped the ball over the goalkeeper - The ball was going in the net.
“Goal! What an exhilarating play from Fukui Aoi. Nagoya are now leading by one early on in the game.” “Aoi?” I thought to myself.
“Beep!” The game had resumed and Nagasaki started with the ball. My teammate Hori was trying to pass the ball to me.
“Here!” I shouted, I was open and it would be a great chance if he would pass it to me. Thankfully, he heard my call and went for a pass. After a while, the ball was still not coming to my boots, but it wasn’t on Hori’s either. It was with Aoi. Everyone was shell shocked. He was not only quick but he had great physicality, and was a great dribbler. He was a complete football player, a little too complete.
Within the blink of an eye, the victor was decided. It wasn’t even close.
“And he scores!” The crowd went wild but Akira’s mind went silent. Did that really just happen? That’s the stuff of movies, there’s absolutely no way, right?
“Aoi does it again! It all started when he swiped the ball from right underneath Nagasaki’s superstar, Akira.” The commentator announced. Akira and his teammates were devastated, one last chance and they messed it up. Nagoya was just too good for them, they were the clear winners.
A FEW HOURS LATER
“Why…Why didn’t I do anything?” Akira questioned himself while riding his bike home. It was a disappointing result and it really humbled Akira. Before the game, his confidence was at an all time high. However, It wasn’t the time for Akira to sulk but to get ready for High School.
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