THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME

THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
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Tobias Mikkelsen held off the ball shortly after receiving Zachary's pass. He instead ran across the touchline for a few yards before passing it back to Zachary, who ran in sync with him a few yards to his right.


They both continued to play one-two, racing past several other Valerenga players and cutting into the field. They are well connected to exchange fast and smooth passes, magically approaching the opponent's box, like a hunting predator. They move very fast and are on the defensive line in just seconds.


Zachary received more feedback from Tobias, just as Simon Larsen, one of Vlerenga's centre-backs, was about to close it on the edge of the box.


But he didn't panic. He has some passing options around him and is not the slightest bit afraid he will lose possession of the ball. So, with a deft touch, he pushed the ball out of the reach of the centre-back with his left foot. His mind had already worked too hard to deduce how to make the most of the attack.


He understood he could not delay even for a second while in front of the opponent's box because the defenders had already held him back quickly. So, his first idea was to play a breakthrough pass to Nicki Nielsen, Rosenborg's centre-forward who was in top form. He can release him on the road to goal if he can manage the release time perfectly.


But from the corner of his eye, he saw goalkeeper Valerenga standing outside his line before he could proceed with that thought. It was as if the goalkeeper invited him to try his luck from the edge of the box. Of course, he would not disappoint the guards by refusing such a gift.


He first slowed down a bit to attract two defenders, who almost attacked him once again. He then pushes the ball slightly past it with the outside of his left boot, making sure to point his body in the same direction. It seemed like he intended to run into the box by utilizing the space left by the defenders to his left. But when he was making a middle move, he changed the surface of his contact to the inside of his boots, starting a dribble elastico and leaving the defenders confused for a while.


Before the defenders could recover, he flicked the ball to his right to create more space for himself. And with quick movement, he smashed the ball with the inside of his right boot—d it on a curved trajectory towards the goal as the entire stadium went silent. For the first time since the match began, Valerenga fans stopped making a fuss as silence descended on Ullevaal Stadium.


A gentle smile graced Zachary's face as his eyes followed the ball. It soared high and surrounded the defenders before turning inward and then darting towards the goal. It was like a missile heading towards its intended target.


At the time, Zachary was confident he would score with his effort as the goalkeeper was still about two yards from his line. So, he raised his hand to celebrate the equalizing goal. But at the next moment, he let them dangle by his side as a sudden change occurred.


Gudmund Kongshavn, the goalkeeper of Valerenga, managed to retreat in a miraculous way. He jumped, twisted his tall body backwards and punched the ball over the crossbar. With that superb save, the goalkeeper made the stadium into a frenzy of cheers once again.


The referee immediately blew the whistle and pointed at the corner flag.


Zachary could only sigh in despair as he watched the Valerenga players celebrate together and congratulate their guards for the incredible save. He had done everything right on that shot, but he still failed to score. So, she felt a little sad.


Before Valerenga players could organize themselves into proper defensive forms, he began walking towards the corner flag, at a horse-like pace on the racetrack. To his satisfaction, Mikael immediately saw him. Acting captain Rosenborg quickly took a corner and passed the ball to him amid growing jeers from fans.


Zachary received a ground pass just as he was traveling several meters outside the box. Without the slightest pause, he spun, with the ball stuck in his left shoe, and once again facing Valerenga's goal before the opponent could close it. It was an opportunity God sent for Rosenborg to score. Zachary feels he has all the time he needs to work with the ball. It was another moment of truth to test Valerenga, and he knew it.


Adrenaline started flooding her system, speeding up her heartbeat as she flicked the ball forward— launching her a few yards ahead of her. With a deft touch, he managed to push it closer to the corner edge of the box. He could hear the jeers from the Valerenga fans rising to the top as if they were trying to disrupt his focus.


But he forced his mind to get rid of all outside distractions and concentrate on the problem at hand. In an instant, he raised his head and glanced at the situation inside the box to determine his next course of action. He noticed that some of Valerenga's players had already rushed towards him like crazy, but he didn't mind. He has all the time in the world to do what is necessary.


Without losing his composure, he took the step of chasing the ball, lifting his leg, locking his ankle—then swung it down hard and strong—to release the missile towards the goal.


"BAAM!"


He smiled as his ears managed to catch the sweet sound of his boots hitting the ball when he made the contact he wanted. He then raised his head once more to observe the results of his efforts.


Back then, he did not apply fancy tricks, such as spinning, while shooting the ball. So, it flashed through the players on a straight trajectory towards the goal as if it was a bullet leaving the sniper's muzzle. In about a second or two, the ball went into the top right corner, leaving the Ullevaal Stadium quiet again. The goalkeeper could not even react and remained glued to one position because of his heavy and fast shot.


1:1.


Rosenborg reacted immediately and scored the equaliser in the 27th minute, just three minutes after conceding. Zachary raised his hand where he stood, in the corner of the box, to celebrate the goal. His team-mates immediately rushed towards him and joined the celebrations amid rising cheers from some Rosenborg fans who went to Oslo to watch the match.


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