The Dreamers
Tournaments
Traversing the academy's gates had never trembled like this before. Hiro sees a lot of known adults as young talent scouts sent by clubs in Japan.
Today is the start of the tournament. The jersey with the name 'Hiro' on the back is used. Hiro enters the Zekka tournament field with Ryota and the best team from the 12-14 age group. As per the schedule in the group phase, they will fight teams 10-11 years, then against teams 17-19 years, and continue against teams 15-16 years.
On paper, Hiro's team are expected to win easily in this first game. But Takashi, the coach, has told his foster children that the 10-11 age group is also doing well this year. They may be weak, but they are compact.
Takashi said, "One more thing you have to remember is that the goalkeepers of the 10-11-year-old team are very good! you may see for yourself later" the coach said before the game.
Hiro, Ryota and their comrades looked at the opponent easily. But on the sidelines, Takashi continues to remind if you have to stay focused, do not let your guard down.
"Focus..! focus Hiro..!" Hiro convinced himself in his heart just before the game started.
...
...
After the match ended, Team Hiro managed to win over the team 10-11 with a thin score of 2-1. Hiro scored one goal in this match. His team must struggle with difficulty facing opponents who can be said not to be seeded.
Takashi as a coach is very disappointed with the way his children play. "Hey! what did I say?? stay focused!" Shouted Takashi. The whole player is silent.
"If you keep playing like that, the next match will be harder, and I'm sure you'll lose!"
The next match, the age group of 12-14 years will face the age group of 17-19 years who have just lost 3-0 from the age group of 15-16 years, namely the team from Daichi. Even if you only play for a few minutes, the players are still exhausted.
Zekka tournament temporary ranking:
Teams 15-16 years (3points)
Teams 12-14 years (3points)
10-11 year old team (0points)
17-19 year old team (0points)
*teams who managed to rank 1 and 2 in the group phase will qualify for the final.
The 17-19-year-old team needs a win if they want to keep their hopes of qualifying for the final. But their opponents are not easy, which is a team of 12-14 years. Hiro is very much on their guard.
"Alright.., listen to me carefully," Takashi texted his children back before starting their second match today. "Don't be afraid of your opponent just because they are more senior! We have to keep playing like we've been trained to do! understand everything?!"
"understand!" The players' consent. Hiro shouted the loudest.
"Then now you go into the field, and defeat your opponent!" Takashi.
The players came into the field excitedly. Unlike the 17-19-year-old team whose mentality is still unstable after losing a landslide in the previous game. This is an opportunity for Hiro and his friends to win and ensure they qualify for the final round. If it wins this time, the result of the match against a 15-16 year old team will not affect the ranking.
...
This match, more scouts are looking at the match. Hiro's chest is hammered. There are more spectators than ever before. He has stage fright.
Hiro tried to calm himself down many times, but could not. Ryota had also continued to reassure him that do not be afraid. "Don't be afraid Hiri! inget said coach! focus on the ball!" Ryota.
Finally the match went tight. Mutual goals happen. Until finally the final sekor is 3-2 for the victory of the team 12-14 years. Talent watchers are excited to see an interesting end result. Of course this is a breath of fresh air for Hiro, hoping his name has been recorded by one of the talent scouts.
Takashi is happy with his player's victory. But his excitement turned into a worry after knowing that at the same time the team 15-16 years also won over the team 10-11 years with a score of 5-0. Daichi scored Hattrick aka three goals in the win, making it the top scorer while this tournament with 4 goals from 2 games.
"It's bad" Takashi murmured. In addition, after this his team will play against teams 15-16 years.
Zekka tournament temporary ranking:
Teams 15-16 years old (6points)*
Teams 12-14 years old (6points)*
17-19 year old team (0points)
10-11 year old team (0points)
*teams of 15-16 years and 12-14 years automatically qualify for the final because brand points are impossible to pursue.
Although the teams of 12-14 and 15-16 years have been confirmed to qualify for the final, but still this is a prestige match between two goal machines, but still this is a prestige match between two goal machines, daichi (4 goals) and Hiro (3 goals) from 2 matches of this tournament.
During the break, Takashi continued to give motivational remarks to his foster children. "good job. The next game, I'm going to change players so you don't get too tired to play in the final,"
"Good coach!"
"But, Ryota and Hiro will still play yes" Takashi added.
Ryota and Hiro glanced at each other. They think the same thing. "Didn't the coach know that we're so tired??" Hiro and Ryota's heart turned out to be the same.
So far, Ryota and Hiro have always been Takashi's mainstays in the 12-14-year-old team. Hiro's sharpness as a striker, as well as Ryota's defensive skills are key to their game. Inevitably, Hiro and Ryota continue to play against the team 15-16 years after this.
"Okay, the next fight will start in 10 minutes. I'll go outside first, I'll come back later. I hope you rest in peace." Takashi went to the back, out of nowhere.
...
From the opposite direction, suddenly Daichi and his teammates came to the training area 12-14 years. It seems they've been waiting for Takashi to leave before they get into the special field 12-14 this year.
"Ah them again, what do they want?!" Ryota hates Daichi and his friends.
Hiro was wondering if Daichi came back to him because he wanted to make her cry again? If so, maybe Hiro has to be mentally prepared.
However, Hiro's estimate was a big mistake. When he was close to Daichi, Hiro was immediately greeted by Daichi while saying, "Happy has made it so far. I can't wait to meet you in the final" Smile hung on her lips. His friends were friendly too.
"Eh?! didn't want to make fun of me? this is weird," thought Hiro.
After diving Hiro and the rest of the team 12-14 years, Daichi and his friends immediately returned to their field to prepare for the next game in the group phase before the final round.
Hiro felt something was strange, "Kok them so good huh Ryo? you realized?" Ask Hiro.
"Yes," Ryota replied with a sharp look towards Daichi who was away. "It looks like you should be careful with Daichi, Hiro. I sense that something is being planned by him later,"
"I'm..?"