THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
Rosenborg Fans

With a quick gesture, Coach Johansen signalled a fourth official to make a quick switch before Molde could take a corner. Dejection, Depression, Distress, and a few other capital D's had long whispered in his mind, translating into terrifying wrinkles that had already hardened his facial features.

Although his team had just survived from conceding a goal from a penalty, he still regretted not making an early substitution— before the red card. Had he done that precisely, it was possible, his team would never have had to pass the twenty minutes left when with a numerical disadvantage.

After all, he refused to give up losing, even when playing with numerical losses born from red cards. That was the reason he decided to introduce both Ole Selnaes and Verner Ronning who were all defensive minded players at the core of their style of play. He wanted them to help the team defend against a relentless attack from Molde for the remaining eighteen minutes, plus extra time. He hopes his side will qualify with a draw if the two follow his instructions and play their defensive role perfectly.

"Can you make a change of players" he shouted with all his might as he watched the fourth official take his time to put up a substitution board. "Why do you delay when the ball is clearly not played? Your negligence could cost our team. So, can you act like a professional and do your job right?"

Hearing the coach, the fourth official only smiled wryly before putting up a sign of the change of players. And to the relief of Coach Johansen, the referee immediately stopped the match on the field just before Molde's players could take a corner kick.

"Remember my instructions" Coach Johansen shouted to his two substitutes just before they were about to enter the field. "And don't forget to pass on my instructions to others."

"Yes, coach," Ole and Verner replied in unison, clearly pleased with the prospect of getting the chance to play Tippeligaen's official match.

Coach Johansen can see that they are full of energy and excitement to perform, even though Rosenborg is a weak man. He felt a slight wave of relief flooding his system upon realizing their passion and desire to play. So, for the first time, as in fifteen minutes, he smiled seeing the two of them replace Tobias Mikkelsen and Tarik Elyounoussi, two wingers. Perhaps, with the energy they project, they can do some magic while they are on the field. That's what he expected.

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As soon as the two substitutes got into their respective positions, the referee immediately blew the whistle and gestured Martin Linnes, Molde's left-back, for a corner kick.

Zachary immediately reacted, shutting down everything else and just concentrating on marking the person. His mind was already working too hard, trying to deduce what kind of angle Molde's left-back would give into the box. He was determined to do his part in the— team by giving everything to prevent Molde from scoring their third goal and taking the lead. So, he even started yelling at his team-mates to shut out unguarded players inside the box for corner kick preparation.

But Martin Linnes, Molde's number 14, did not give Rosenborg any more time to prepare. He quickly sent a teasing ball to the hordes of players waiting inside the penalty area from a corner.

Zachary got into action when he realized that the ball was on the path to his position. He pushed off the ground like a basketball player, defeating Jo Inge in the battle for air superiority by relying on his incredible physique — and then gore the ball out of the game. The referee blew the whistle and pointed to the corner flag once again.

Martin Linnes quickly sent another corner kick into the box with all the speed he could muster, probably not wanting to waste time. But that time, Nicki Nielsen, Rosenborg's centre-forward, surpassed the rest of the players inside the penalty area and cleared the ball with a timely header, steering it out of the box.

Zachary immediately took a step, intending to chase the ball after realizing it would land outside the box. He hoped to do it quickly before everyone else—and then launch a counterattack on Molde.

But as he took the second step, he felt a tug on his shirt for the umpteenth time during the match, and the forward momentum instantly diminished. Without looking back, he knew immediately that his old bodyguard, Jo Inge, was pulling his shirt to prevent him from getting the ball. Since he was determined to do everything necessary to help his team get a positive result against Molde, he decided to follow Coach Trond Henriksen's strategy. He dropped himself to the ground in a dramatic manner—and shouted loudly to convince the referee that his opponent had violated him.

"Ref, ref," he shouted with all his might while rolling on the ground to attract the attention of the referee.

The referee immediately blew the whistle before running towards his position. "Are you okay?" The referee asked, raised his arm and gestured for the medical team to enter the field.

"Jo Inge pulled me back by pulling my shirt," Zachary replied, his face turning into an expression that was the true definition of a person in pain. "I think I sprained the ligament when I fell to the ground" he added, holding his ankle. Inside, he was happy to stay on the ground because the more time he could waste, the better his team's chances.

"Are you okay, son?" The team doctor asked as soon as he knelt beside her. "Where are your feet hurting? Can you still move it?"

"We need to waste a bit of time because the team is in a difficult position" he whispered to the doctor after realizing that the referee had moved away from the hearing distance— towards the line judge. "So, please play along, and let's win some time to organize ourselves."

"No need to worry, I know what to do," replied the team doctor, without blinking in his expression. He then went on to examine Zachary's ankle with all the seriousness that the veteran doctor was suited to.

Zachary knew that he had been in the same situation perhaps many times. His acting when diagnosing Zachary's ankle could win an Oscar. Together with Zachary, the two played a very convincing scene. To the extent that even some of his teammates came to check on the situation. But Zachary simply winked at them before proceeding to treat his wound.

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Waves of panic surged through Emily when she saw Zachary fall to the ground, clearly in pain. He had never seen Zachary stand still for more than a few seconds, even after facing the toughest of challenges. Emily believes Zachary is in pain just from seeing her expression.

But a minute or two later, he finally casually saw Zachary standing before being helped off the field by medics. He realized that he was not seriously injured because he could walk. So, with a light heart, he returned his entire focus to the field of play to keep abreast of the game.

But then again, he was shocked after a while. He noticed that Zachary appeared to have returned to full fitness after coming off the field and received a painkiller spray on his ankle. Without lingering, he then downed the water before returning to the field even before Rosenborg could take a free-kick. Emily laughs bitterly when she realizes that Zachary has just played everyone, including her, for a fool. He wasn't seriously injured—but just wasted a little time.

"BOO! BOOOS!! BOOOO!!!..."

Emily's ears caught a gradually rising wave of ridicule from the stands occupied by Molde's fans as soon as Zachary stepped back onto the pitch. Molde fans seem to be quite interested in his antics and make him known through their voices.

But Rosenborg fans around the stadium countered with their own cheers to counter the boos. Emily's bewildered ears gulped down water in one long, rumbling, "Zach! Zachy! Zach-33!" and then his hearing seemed to sink, unable to comprehend any sounds. The entire mass of Rosenborg fans in the stands stood together, stomping their feet and clapping to compensate for the roar of their voices. They maintained an orderly and rhythmic wave of cheers that shook the entire Lerkendal—a collective sound that looked like a sound made by a fearsome army.

Emily sighed in surprise after experiencing the energy and intensity of the Rosenborg fans. All around him, wild cries and cheers rang out—long to the limit to dampen any derision that might have arisen from Molde's supporters. Only with enthusiasm and passionate support have they fought back against Molde's fans and emerged victorious. Their level of dedication to their team is something he has only experienced a few times.

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