THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
First Match in Europe IV

As the game progresses, it becomes clear to Kristin that Yann-Erik is losing his influence in the game. Every run to the Rosenborg section was interrupted by Zachary. The African boy did a good job even in a defensive role in midfield.

Zachary did not just mark the winger tightly and overshadowed his every move as Landu-Landu did to Ole. He will move quickly into his position when Rosenborg loses the ball and puts himself between Yannick and his team's goal. When the winger runs in front of him, he will use a sliding tackle to sweep the ball.

His free reign in midfield allowed him to help both wings as the U-19 Vikings attacked. The match again became a stalemate in midfield after he halted the pace of the mercurial winger.

Rosenborg played well with their wingers moving forward and flanking Mushaga, who had previously been a lone centre-forward. Both wingers use their speed on the flanks before cutting towards the goal. They managed to threaten the Viking goal a few times but were unable to close the deal and score.

The 4-3-3 formation works well for the Troll Kids of Lerkendal.

But what worries Kristin the most is the score. Rosenborg's U-19 team was still a goal behind, but the clockwork was close to the 80th minute.

If Rosenborg did not score in the next few minutes, they would lose. It won't look good on Zachary's CV and might affect his confidence.

"Your son seems good at surviving." He heard Coach Eggen say. "He has a very keen instinct and reads young wingers like a history book. He'll be a good centre-back."

Mr. Stein sighed before saying, "That's not why I brought him to Rosenborg. He's got something else—even much better?"

"Thank you?" Coach Eggen looked surprised.

"Yes." Yeah." Mr. Stein nodded. "He hasn't even shown a quarter of his ability. Coach Johansen just used him in a position that didn't suit him."

"What is his natural position?"

"Middle way," replied Mr. Stein. "But he should be in an attacking role rather than defending. His passing ability is phenomenal. He might even be better than Ole."

"It's been a long time since I've heard you rate players that high." Coach Eggen smiled. "Now my interest is piqued" he added before returning to focus on the game.

**** ****

As the match progressed, the chant progressed from the stands behind the Rosenborg goalposts to becoming a full-fledged war anthem intended to boost the performance of the Rosenborg players.

"Ohh. Shalalalalalala.., oh Rosenborg..." The fans sang while jumping and dancing to a rhythm determined by the clapping of their hands.

He looked around and began to observe the entire width of the field. The Viking goalkeeper was about to take a goal kick. The ball had just come out after another failed attempt at goal by Rosenborg. The Troll Kids attacker has missed more than a dozen net chances to score.

The Viking goalkeeper kicked the ball high and sent it deep into the Rosenborg half of the pitch. One of Rosenborg's centre-backs headed it back high into midfield— towards Zachary's position.

He is the only one who has room to receive the ball since the U-19 Vikings keep all the other midfielders tight. It seemed they thought of him as a mere defender with no ability to attack and left him unmarked.

Zachary shot forward and jumped towards the incoming ball. He controlled it with his chest as vibrations appeared all over his body. His feet hit the ground—and he flew towards the other half of the field.

He had just seen a clear white line running from his position through the field— towards the opponent's box. His A+ game intelligence attributes (spatial awareness and risk assessment) have just made him aware of a safe route to run with the ball. Zachary is determined to take advantage of the gap left by Viking players between midfield.

Sweat ran down his face as his heart pounded fiercely on his chest. His lungs screamed for air as his feet flew across the green field towards the Viking team box.

Two defenders in blue shirts appeared in front of him. Zachary slowed his pace slightly before pretending to the left but then sped up and moved to the right with the ball fixed close to his feet. His dribbling was not something fancy, just the occasional change of pace in his long stride that allowed him to pass through the defenders. Zachary just slowed down, making the defenders to relax for a moment, then flew like the wind.

He managed to wriggle past two defenders and continue on goal, ignoring one chasing player before going through two sliding challenges coming in.

Zachary suddenly found himself stepping into the 18-yard box with only one defender between him and the goalkeeper. A deft touch takes him around the defender before he shoots the ball from a sharp angle. He has nothing in his vision but his purpose.

However, he saw the tip of the goalkeeper's finger sweep the ball and push it slightly higher than the intended path. His heart jumped down his throat as he regretted not doing a carpet shot instead of a circular ball.

[Please enter.] He prayed in his heart.

However, his mood sank when he saw the ball hit the crossbar and bounce back onto the pitch.

Reflexively, Zachary turned around to chase after him.

Then from the corner of his eye, he saw Mushaga pouncing on the loose ball near the penalty spot— and fired a horizontal shot into the middle of an empty goal. Goal. 1:1.

Rosenborg's U-19 side equalised in the 82nd minute.