Chapter 6: The Match- Part 2 The rest of the half followed the prior script. Kametsu High ran circles around their opponents, but were unable to find that second goal and so when they went off for half time, Chris' magnificent effort was the difference between the two teams. 'That Adam guy is too good,' complained Danny, stretching. Chris snorted. 'Guess he wasn't good enough for us though,' he grinned, arrogance personified. Danny shook his head, Chris' cockiness was ridiculous at times. 'Alright team, listen up. That was a pleasing first half, we're clearly better. However, I'm a bit concerned with our tempo, we're playing a bit slowly and it's making it easy for them to get their men between us and the goal' said Javier, calmly. Chris laughed. 'We're way better, just give me the ball and I'll rip them apart!' he bragged. Danny shook his head again. 'Relax Chris, if you keep charging forward you'll leave holes in the defence. We play a team game, there's no room for selfish players,' warned Javier. 'They aren't good enough to take advantage of the gaps i'd leave,' retorted Chris. Breathless laughed and Chris turned to him, frowning. 'Don't get cocky kid,' said the senior. 'Adam's been defending, if he decides to attack, you'll be eating your words,' he said. 'But if he attacks, it'll give us more space to do the same,' chipped in Apollo, looking thoughtful. 'Exactly!' chuckled Chris. 'Nothing to worry about,' he said. 'But,' interjected Lynn. 'We're all assuming that they don't have anyone else. I was watching carefully, and they haven't played any of their freshmen.' Javier smiled, they could always rely on the ultra-observant Lynn. 'Lynn's right. We are playing well, and we should win, but we cannot be complacent. I want a clean sheet, no goals against. Discipline and composure is important. Go out there and see this out,' he ordered firmly. 'YES COACH!' came the reply from the majority of his team, bar Chris who grunted dismissively. ___________________________________ As they re-entered the pitch, Lynn's observations were vindicated as two freshmen came on, replacing the right midfielder and the striker. Strangely, the substitute striker went into midfield, with Adam taking the position as the spearhead of Balamb High's attack. 'COME ON BEARS!' shrieked their largely female fanbase, drawing slight smiles from the Kametsu team. The match restarted, Adam passing the ball to the freshman that took his position. The substitute immediately fired the ball out to the right side. Chris grinned as he intercepted it, and embarked on another run. 'Pass Chris!' yelled Apollo. Ignoring his captain, Chris ran at the other substitute, nonchalantly knocking it past him. To his surprise however, the substitute recovered and intercepted the ball, knocking it through Chris's legs, before bursting past the stunned left back. 'Back!' roared Apollo as the winger steamed forward. He was too fast, easily outstripping the Kametsu defence. Within a handful of strides, he entered the Kametsu penalty area, bearing down on Breathless. The senior reacted sharply, quickly coming off his line and narrowing the angle. The freshman clearly lacked the composure to go with his speed, blasting the ball straight at Breathless who made a good block. The loose ball dribbled out towards Jay, the defender turning and passing it to Apollo. The captain passed it to Jeff, his midfield partner feeding it into Danny's feet. Standing on the halfway line, Danny looked up and found himself faced with two defenders. The freshman smiled. 'You aren't the only team with a fast winger,' he thought as he launched a long cross field pass out to the right side. IP raced after it, his eagerness to impress outweighing his lack of experience. The ball looked like it was too long as it hit the ground, still 10 yards ahead of IP. However, instead of running out of play, the ball stopped, and span backwards, drawing stunned gasps from everyone present. 'What a pass,' spluttered Axel as he jogged towards the penalty area. The backspin on the ball allowed IP to collect it, and he sprinted into the box. Faced with the keeper, he remembered the advice the Coach had given him, to aim the ball hard and low into the bottom far left corner. Taking a breath to steady himself, IP let fly, his powerful shot flying past the goalkeeper. Unfortunately, his accuracy was just off, and the shot crashed against the post. More fortunately, Axel had anticipated the movement of the ball, and was on hand to tap it into the empty net. The fans erupted as Axel high fived IP, a broad smile spread across his face. _______________________________________ Axel's goal proved to be the end of Balamb High's resistance, as Adam Rivers went off five minutes later, explaining to Apollo that he was still in rehabilitation for a troublesome knee injury. Apollo himself scored the third goal, a finely placed finish from just inside the area after Axel had left two defenders in a daze. Balamb nearly scored a consolation near the end, as Chris was again beaten by the substitute winger, his shot once more being blocked by Breathless. However, there was an air of satisfaction about Javier as he addressed his players in the changing room after the game. 'It was a good performance in that second half, 3-0 against Balamb High is a very good result. I think we all learnt a few lessons today,' he started, smiling as Danny nudged and grinned at Chris.' But don't let this get to your heads, Adam was clearly unfit and we struggled against him in the first half. I also want to work on stamina and fitness, we ran out of steam towards the end. However. I want to say well done to you all. We played well, and we've got a good team coming along. I'll have a notice up tomorrow, regarding training and our next match. Oh and Apollo, visit my office tomorrow, we need to discuss the upcoming Regional tournament draw. As for the rest of you, get home safe, get some rest, and I'll see you at school!' 'YES COACH!' replied his tired, but happy squad, satisfied with their first match together, and looking forward to the hopefully glorious days ahead.