THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME

THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
Counterattack


Zachary reacted immediately when he saw Lund Hansen punching the ball away from the goal. While still panting, he leaped out of the box and chased after it, his long steps taking up the space of meters across the green field in just a matter of seconds.


As he was running, he felt someone trying to pull his shirt. He instantly knew his old bodyguard was trying to do his antics once again. So, without turning around, he stepped from side to side, his body moving from left to right and back, repeatedly—to break away from the clutches of his opponent. He also increased his speed and immediately approached the bouncing ball near the touchline on the right wing— long before other players, both opponents and teammates.


From there, he didn't even stop to control the ball. Instead, he flicked it forward with a deft first touch and chased after it, the frequency of his steps peaking to push it forward like a rocket that had just come out of a grenade launcher.


The counterattack is underway. Most of Molde's players, with the exception of a few defenders, all carried out relentless attacks against Rosenborg. They become confident and, just maybe, think that Rosenborg no longer has the ability to threaten them.


Zachary intends to exploit that weakness and create chances of winning the game for his team.


So, he forced his mind to forget all his fatigue and ran with the ball across the sidelines. He glided towards the half Molde with incredible speed. At the time, he felt that he might be able to make Usain Bolt run for his money if both ran with the ball.


Knut Olav Rindaroy, one of Molde's centre-backs, immediately shut it down, intent on stopping his pace with a sloppy sliding tackle.


However, Zachary slowed down a bit before digging his right boots under the ball and flicking it over the defender. Without a pause, he jumped high— passed the defender and then continued to chase the ball amid the cheers of the ever-increasing Rosenborg fans.


Etzaz Hussain, a defensive midfielder who also defends to defend, is the next man to try to stop Zachary's mad attack. But that time, Zachary did not try to dribble. Instead, he quickly passed on to Nicki Nielsen, Rosenborg's number 9, who had long since opened up to receiving a pass in the middle of the field.


Zachary did not stop, after releasing the ball to Nicki. Instead, he evaded Etzaz Hussain and continued to run across the left wing. To his relief, Nicki reacted quickly and immediately flicked the ball into the space in front of him.


Zachary managed to finish Nicki's breakthrough pass. He started cutting into the field, approaching Molde's goal like the wind.


He could already feel his stamina reserves starting to thin and empty as he stepped into the final third. But he persevered with sheer determination and kept running towards Molde's box.


After scoring, Zachary did not stop. He continued his run—twisted the goal onto the corner flag to celebrate the goal. By the time he got there, his heart was already working too hard and his happiness was so strong that it frightened him.


But he could still remember the coach's warning and resisted the urge to take his shirt off and throw it at the fans. Instead, he spread out his hands as if he was the sole owner of the world. He closed his eyes to enjoy the feeling of scoring in a game that was very difficult to win. But his team-mates did not give him time to immerse himself in a moment of excitement alone. They immediately reached him and jumped all over his body to celebrate the goal.


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Tears of joy glittered in Kristin's brown eyes as she stuck her neck out to watch the celebration on the field. The corner of his mouth lifted into a smile as he watched substitute Rosenborg and technical staff join the players on the pitch to celebrate the goal. At that moment, he could barely remember the match that made him happier and gave him a level of satisfaction compared to the match that day.


"In the 88th minute, Rosenborg managed to score and reclaim their lead," He heard Kjell Roar, the commentator, shout loudly. His loud voice even dwarfed the wild cheers and applause from the excited Rosenborg fans. "Now three goals for Rosenborg and two for Molde. Amazing things on the field today. Rosenborg had done what was almost impossible and managed to take the lead once again. Not even a red card can stop Troll Kids from displaying their brilliance.it's here in Trondheim."


"A great night for Nicki and Zachary. The two have worked well together and created all three of Rosenborg's goals for today. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his men should be crying now. What an amazing game! Harald! I can see you smiling once again."


Kristin heard Harald, the expert, chuckle softly. "When I remember that lightning-fast counterattack, I couldn't help but smile" he said. "Running on the right wing by Zachary is really thrilling. What incredible speed! What a calm! I'm at a loss for words."


"Zachary has scored two goals with the potential to compete for the goal award this season" added Roar. "And he should also be on course to win the player of the month award this May. His current tally is six goals and five assists in five games. I don't think any other player in Tippeligaen has played better than him this month."


"Yes, I agree" Harald agreed. “He should have been the top candidate for that award if we took into account his bike kick a few weeks ago plus today's performance. Moreover, if Rosenborg could survive and win this match, she would end the night as a hero in the hearts of Rosenborg fans."


"Then let's wait and see how the match ends" Kjell Roar said, his voice rising. "For now, let's take you back to live action on the field. The match had just restarted with Molde's kick-off..."


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