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Post Match Analysis

Kristin raised the volume of the TV as pundits began discussing the referee's decision. "And what do you think of the red card of Tore Reginiussen?" He heard Samantha Fladset, presenter of TV2 Sporten, ask two experts at the studio. "Do you think the referee is right? Should it be a straight red card? What do you think?"

"I think he got Tore's red card right" said Andre Rekdal, one of the studio's pundits. "We can try to argue that there is no malicious intent in Tore's tackle. But the fact remains, he scuttle the player heading into the net in the box. To me, it's a straight card with no questions asked."

"I agree" rjan Berg, another scholar, interjected. "That was the right decision. But I hope he will act with the same sharpness during the example when Jo Inge broke Zachary. I know that a lot happens during the game. The referee can miss a few things occasionally. But this is a fight between two players that starts from the beginning of the game. The referee should have paid more attention to both I was even more confused as to why the line judge missed the offense. What did they do during the game? They could make Rosenborg lose three points in such an important game."

Samantha Fladset chuckled softly. "Perhaps it was Zachary's towering physique that gave the referee the wrong impression" he said with a hint of humor. "Think about that. He's six-four. Even if someone pulled his shirt, he remained silent like an unshakable stone. If I was the referee, maybe, I would also lose some fouls on him during the game. "

"I doubt that very much" said Rjan Berg, shaking his head. "The referee is trained to find the slightest foul on the player with or attacking the ball. Losing all those fouls, especially in a big game like between Rosenborg and Molde, is pretty weird."

"Perhaps, Samantha was right" interrupted Andre Rekdal. "The referee blew the whistle when Zachary fell to the ground during the second half."

Samantha Fladset chuckles. "But is he in pain, or is he pretending?" She asked.

"Who cares?"

Andre Rekdal said, beaming. "Perhaps, he got injured because the doctor helped him off the field. Or maybe he was pretending. But the fact remains: he managed to win his team-mates a few minutes to rest and organise themselves during that period. Moreover, he went on to score the winning goal. He must be the man of the match, and we can't take it from him."

"Sure" said Samantha Fladset. "He was phenomenal on the field. But before we continue the analysis, let's hear first from the man of the match itself. He's doing a post-match interview with Olav at the moment."

Kristin's face beamed with a smile as she watched Zachary's face appear on the screen. He played like a star and helped Rosenborg secure three points for the night. It was difficult for Kristin to accept her growth potential. Despite all that, he was happy he was at Rosenborg. He could see his team back on the road winning trophies with talented players in the squad.

"Zachary, welcome back" Kristin heard Olav, the reporter, say.

"Thank you, Olav," Zachary replied with a nod.

"I know I've said this over and over again" Olav's voice continued after a while. "You're eighteen, Zachary. But you are already at the top of the club game. Appreciable. Don't you?"

"Well," said Zachary, smiling slightly and scratching his chin. "I can't express that feeling with words. But all I can say is that I enjoy every moment of my time with Rosenborg."

"Let's talk about the game" Olav said. “The first branch is really smooth for you. You worked well with Nicki to create two goals in the first half. We all thought you would win by at least 4:0 by then. But then the second half happened. What's wrong?"

"I think it was one of those days when luck wasn't on our side" Zachary replied, his expression turning serious. "Think about that. Before Tore's red card, we were the dominant team. We dictated the tempo and have collected about 14 shots on goal."

"16 shots on goal, to be specific," Olav interjected to correct him.

"Yes, thank you," said Zachary with a small smile. "16 shots on goal, indeed. And how much did Molde have back then?"

"Three shots on goal" Olav replied.

"Nicki," said Olav, and Kristin saw a picture of Nicki Nielsen's face replacing Zachary's on the screen. "You managed to score two more goals today. You are clearly on the right track to becoming the top scorer. That's if Zachary doesn't beat you to get the award." The reporter laughed.

"Well," said Nicki, a bright smile adorning her face. "If it's him, I really don't mind. Above all, we are team-mates who work together to win trophies. Individual awards came in second."

"Most football fans were impressed by how the two of you worked together to create all three Rosenborg goals today" Olav said. "Are you doing extra practice to hone the relationship between the two of you? What's your secret?"

"Very funny" Nicki said with a laugh. "We train as a team almost every day of the week. And that was enough for a genius player like Zachary to observe me and follow my habits. So, I was always convinced that whenever I ran into space when he had the ball, he would immediately look at me and give it to me. It's that simple."

"Zachary," said Olav, and Zachary's face appeared once again on the screen. "There was a fight that always happened between you and Jo Inge throughout the game. What's up with that? Is there a bad relationship between you and the bearded Jo?"

"Well," said Zachary, shaking his head. "There really is nothing. We both tried our best to do our part and help our team win the game. It was inevitable that we ended up colliding several times during stressful moments. So, I'm not against Jo Inge, especially because I managed to get on top and win the game. But I really hope the referee will do a better job. That's all I can say."

"Do you still think that no other team in Norway can match Rosenborg, especially after this game?" Olav.

"But we won, even when we lost one man" Zachary replied. "So, I will stick to my belief that I play for the best team in Norway. You don't expect me to say there's another team better than us! Did you?"

Olav laughed hearing that. "Thank you, Zachary and Nicki, for the time being" he said. "And congratulations on your victory and your outstanding performance in today's game." He added when the on-screen image switched back to TV2 studio Sporten.

"And it was Zachary and Nicki, the two heroes of Rosenborg, doing an interview with Olav in Lerkendal" said Samantha Fladset, the host. "Zachary also complained about the referee. We all expect that. Aren't you?"

Both rjan Berg and Andre Rekdal, experts, chuckled at it.

"But Nicki raised a good point during the interview" Berg said after a while. "The way Zachary chooses his teammates with his pass on the pitch is genius. His vision of the game, especially at such a young age, is completely implausible. I just saw the statistics. His pass accuracy in this game was over 90%, and he managed to make six key passes for ninety minutes. This is the statistic a Maestro is making."

"Hold that thought," cut Samantha Fladset off before the scholar could move on. "Let's take you back to Lerkendal, where Olav will interview Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Molde's manager." She smiled, and then Kristin saw Solskjaer's face appear on the screen.

"Ole," said Olav. "You almost made an incredible comeback in the game today? But what's going on?"

“I would say Zachary Bemba happened,” replied Coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, smiling slightly. "He's one of the phenomenal players, a player like the one I only see in the world's top leagues. His impact on this match was incredible. He was the only difference between Rosenborg and us today. But other than that, we didn't do it either. Just— to score and win the game during the second half. We missed some chances that would have made the game in our favor."

"What exactly happened in Molde?" Olav. "You were the champions last season, but you are now at the bottom of the table with only six points. And that was after playing eleven games."

Coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sighed hearing that. "Well," said he. “Football is very unpredictable, and sometimes things don't work in your favor. We have struggled with some injuries here and there. And a few times, luck wasn't on our side. It's been a pretty tough season. But I am sure we will recover and start performing again. That's what I can promise our fans out there."

"Okay, then," said Olav. "We wish you good luck for the rest of the season. And thank you for your time." He ended the interview, and the screen switched back to the TV2 studio Sporten.

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