THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
The Aalesunds Football Club

"AALESUNDS\, *tepuk*tepuk*\, AALESUNDS\, *tepuk*tepuk..."

In Rosenborg's technical area, coach Johansen's frown deepened as the singing and applause from home fans of Aalesunds FK rose to its peak. His team just conceded the second goal in the 52nd match.

Fredrik Uvestad, the right midfielder in Aalesunds' 4-4-2 diamond formation, had just fired a shot into the net from outside the 18-yard box. He managed to beat Lund Hansen, the goalkeeper of Rosenborg, scoring the second goal for the man in orange and blue.

Things looked bad for Rosenborg as the second half went on. They were two goals down with only about thirty-five minutes remaining. Coach Johansen's face had long since turned into a terrifying frown as he observed what was happening on the field.

His team arrived in Lesund City in high spirits that afternoon. All the players are in top shape as they warm up and prepare for the game. Even the absence of top stars Nicki Nielsen and Tore Reginiussen due to suspension seemed trivial at the time. They were in good shape before the game started. Coach Johansen was happy with their energy levels— and thought they would snatch three points from Aalesunds FK. That would mark the perfect start to their climb back to the top of the Tippeligaen table.

However, he couldn't have been more wrong.

As soon as the game started, the Rosenborg players found it difficult to calm down and play fast-flowing attacking football as usual. Many of their usually successful coordinated games become misses due to a lack of focus on the field. They started to lose possession intermittently and conceded the first goal in the 26th minute of the first half.

Coach Johansen did not lose his composure over that single goal. He knows very well, from experience, that any strong team can experience a spell of under par performance during a game and find themselves trailing their opponents. However, the most important thing is the way the players react after dealing with the situation.

So, during the halftime break, he provided a motivational spirit about focus and gave more than a hundred percent of the effort to make a comeback in the dressing room. The field players have reacted well to that, calming his mind. So, he returned to the visitors' dugout for the second half with a smile on his face. He believes his players have straightened out their attitude and will do their best to score and win in the second half. However, seven minutes into the second half, Rosenborg conceded again.

Coach Johansen nearly suffocated to death from his anger. His players had made another amateur error that allowed Aalesunds to score once again. "What to do?" He muttered to himself, rubbing his bald head in frustration.

His mind was working too hard, trying to find a solution to Rosenborg's tactical problems on the pitch. Meanwhile, his eyes followed every play on the field as his mind tried to find a spark that could light up the path and help his team make a comeback. The worst result he could tolerate against Aalesunds FK was a draw. If Rosenborg loses again, she will be in big trouble and may risk being sacked by the end of the following week. He can't lose.

*FREEEE*

The referee blew the whistle, making it out of his deep concentration.

"It was not a foul and there was no yellow card" shouted Coach Johansen with all his might, punching the air in front of him repeatedly. Mike Jensen, the defensive midfielder of Rosenborg, had just slid a tackle on Fredrik Carlsen, Aalesunds number-8, near the edge of the box. The referee had shown Mike a yellow card for his overly aggressive challenge and awarded Aalesunds FK a free-kick on the edge of the box.

"I don't know what's going on with referees lately" Johansen complained to Trond Henriksen, his assistant. "It shouldn't be a violation. But the referee got ahead and gave Mike a yellow card! I don't understand." Coach Johansen scratched his red beard in frustration as he continued to stare at the playing field.

Trond Henriksen smiled wryly, shaking his head. "Maybe we have to start thinking about signing another striker so we can create more chances in goal" he said in a pleading tone. "What do you think?"

"I've considered it" replied Coach Johansen, staying focused on the pitch. "Let's see the free kick first. We'll decide what to do from there."

"Okay, then," replied Trond Henriksen, Rosenborg's assistant head coach, nodding. He also returned his eyes to the field of play.

**** ****

Zachary was watching the match from the visitors' dugout. He was surprised by how the situation on the pitch quickly went from bad to worse for Rosenborg as the game progressed. He doesn't understand why the players don't seem to be able to connect well on the pitch. During training, they work together, playing fast-flowing football. But out there in the game, they are owned by weaker teams. He was frustrated because he didn't want to see his team lose just after he made it into the squad.

"Facing our former coach is really problematic" Zachary heard Brede Moe, the substitute defender, commenting from his left. "Jan Jonsson knows us well inside and out. It's no surprise that he was able to devise an effective tactic to mess up our game plan."

"But that's no reason for us to concede two goals" Daniel rlund, the veteran goalkeeper, added. "We haven't even created clear chances on goal. I guess Nicki and Tore's suspension messed up our team's cohesion."

Zachary continued to listen but also continued to pay attention to the events on the ground. On the edge of the box Rosenborg, Fredrik Carlsen, Aalesunds number-8, back a few steps—stay away from the ball. He was ready to take a free kick.

Before him, five Rosenborg players had formed a wall to defend against set pieces. Zachary saw that Rosenborg was in a bad situation because the free kick was given in a dangerous position. Fredrik Carlsen, Aalesunds' attacking midfielder, had just put the ball in the bow just outside the 18-yard box. He could use one of his legs to find the target and widen Aalesunds' lead.

*FREEEE*

The referee blew the whistle. Fredrik Carlsen ran towards the ball and took a free kick with the inside of his right boot. He released a curved ball around the defense that tore towards the goal like a missile. Aalesunds number 8 has taken a free kick well. Tensions mount in the visitors' dugout. A goal away is almost certain to seal Rosenborg's defeat.

However, Lund Hansen, the Rosenborg goalkeeper, was very alert and came to the rescue. He jumped high and made a brilliant save, pushing the ball out of the game with his hands outstretched. Rosenborg survived from conceding one more goal. Most of the players on the bench breathed a sigh of relief.

But the danger is not over. The referee pointed towards the corner flag, giving a corner kick to Aalesunds FK. The bench warmers, including Zachary, could only wait anxiously until Rosenborg defended against a corner. Since they are not on the pitch, there is not much they can do to change the situation of the game. They can only encourage their team and hope for the best without touching the ball. It was the sadness of a bench warmer.

The referee blew the— whistle and without delay, Andreas Nordvik, left-back Aalesund, took a corner kick.

Zachary watched attentively as Andreas sent the ball a teasing corner kick towards the packed box. The players in the box pushed each other and pulled— as they struggled to beat each other's strengths and answered the incoming cross. The situation inside the box was chaotic, but the referee did not blow the whistle.

Zachary could only hold his breath as he looked at the situation in the area sadly. Abderazak Hamdallah, Aalesunds number 9, jumped high and connected to the cross after losing his target. He fired a header from around the penalty spot, which clearly led into the right post.

Zachary felt his heartbeat quicken as he realized that his guard had already been hit. He can judge that a header will probably result in a goal. But to his relief, Mikael Dorsin, the veteran defender of Rosenborg, showed up at the right time. He intercepted the ball near the goalpost and kicked it to safety.

Rosenborg survived once again. But the excitement on the field is not over. Mike Jensen, Rosenborg's defensive midfielder, took the ball from Mikael's clearance around the edge of the box. Without lingering, he looked up and unleashed a penetrating pass towards Tobias Mikkelsen, who had long since started running towards the half of Aalesund.

The counterattack is underway.

Tobias Mikkelsen, Rosenborg's left-hander, turned around and got the ball well near the halfway line on the left wing. Around him there are a few yards of space to work with as most defenders are still in the Rosenborg defensive area after a corner. So, without delay, Tobias darted towards Aalesund's box like a rocket. He is so fast that none of the two defenders who defend can match his pace.

Tobias ran—dan in no time, already on the edge of Aalesund's box. He made a feedback to the edge of the box where Mix Diskerud, Rosenborg's attacking midfielder, had just arrived.

Mix Diskerud did well to control the pass on the edge of the penalty box. He then fired a shot towards the roof of the goal without pressure. All the players on the bench, including Zachary, stood up, anticipating a goal because it was Rosenborg's best chance since the start of the game.

However, the goddess of fortune seems to have left Rosenborg that day. Although the Aalesunds goalkeeper was out of position, he was still able to jump high and make brilliant saves. Rosenborg squandered the chance to score their first goal in the 59th minute of Tippeligaen's tight game. The players and coaching staff in the parlor of the visitors all sighed at the missing opportunity.

Zachary was about to return to his seat on the bench—but then realized that Coach Johansen seemed to notice him with a pensive expression. A jolt of excitement straightened his spine. He felt a hint of displeasure he felt as he watched Rosenborg put on a miserable performance at the time. He can guess that the coach will make a change of players.

But he is not sure if the coach will keep his word and give him playing time even when the team is two goals behind. So, he can only try to reveal that he is ready by making eye contact with the coach.

"OK, Zachary and John, you're awake" Coach Johansen said. "Dress up and start warming up right away. You have five minutes to get ready."

"Yes, coach," Zachary replied, in the tone of a soldier answering the orders of his superiors. He looked cute and drew some laughs from his team-mates on the bench. However, he did not mind in the slightest.

He will finally make his first appearance in Tippeligaen. Nothing else matters as long as he can play football on the professional stage. A gentle smile adorned his face as he tightened his bootstraps and prepared himself to start warming up. He could barely hold back his happiness.