THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
Red Fog

Cheers rose into the air like the biggest celebratory fireworks explosion. The sound of the crowd flooded Zachary, increasing his annoyance.

"Fuck," he couldn't help but swear when he saw Riga's players celebrating. His fear during the half-time break was coming to fruition. Riga's team have gained all the momentum they need for a comeback after scoring their first goal.

"Focus, focus" shouted Coach Johansen from the sidelines. "Defender. You have to stay sharp and close all the space," he shouted, waving his hands like a madman.

The game starts again. Over the next eight minutes, the Riga players took the initiative. They used the entire width of the field to break through half of the NF academy. Their full-back made several runs and released several crosses that made the defenders difficult.

In the 83rd minute, captain Riga sent a breakthrough pass into the eighteen-yard box of the NF academy. One of Riga's strikers ran behind the defenders, locked the carpet ball, and immediately lifted his foot to make a shot towards the goal.

However, Robin Jatta, one of the central defenders of the NF academy, did an aggressive sliding challenge, making the striker fall. The referee blew his whistle for the foul.

Zachary grimaced when he saw the referee make a quick call and pointed to the penalty spot. It was a great opportunity for JFC Riga. Cheers and jeers from the home fans exploded and filled the air as the referee approached Robin Jatta and gave him a straight red card.

The centre-back has denied a clear scoring opportunity for Riga's number-9, a foul punishable by a penalty kick. He was immediately sent off and banned from playing for the rest of the match— making the NF academy only have ten people.

As Zachary saw Robin off the pitch, he wondered how the game, which should have been a definite victory after half-time, had reached the brink of defeat. He prayed that team captain Riga missed a penalty, allowing the NF academy to maintain their two-goal lead. Otherwise, Zachary and his team-mates will face an incredible end to the game.

However, the goddess of luck did not seem to side with them. Davis Indrans, captain and attacking midfielder of Riga, won the battle of will. He sent an unstoppable penalty past Kendrick Otterson— into the right side of the net.

3:2.

Riga's team was only one goal behind. The cheers of the fans peaked, drowning out every other sound from the field.

Zachary sighed and usually turned his head towards the technical area to get instructions. He saw Coach Johansen shouting and gesturing for him to come to the sidelines.

He's not lingering. He ran past the Riga players celebrating and reached the coach after a few seconds.

"Zachary," Coach Johannsen began. "I want you to play as a lone striker for the remaining few minutes."

"Eeehh" cried Zachary. He was confused by the coach's instructions because they had just lost a defender. However, the coach wants him to leave midfield and play as a forward— rather than maintaining the NF academy's one-goal advantage. They risk conceding more goals if they don't focus their efforts on defending.

The coach smiled when he noticed Zachary's confusion. "Don't worry about defense. I brought the Giaever and Alexander Foosnaes. Both will handle midfield and defence. Ahhh! The game turned into a disaster." He stopped, pulling his red beard in frustration.

Zachary remained silent, waiting for the coach to continue. He was already used to the antics and mood swings of the coach. Meanwhile, he steps into the half of Riga's field so the gameplay won't restart without him. The referee will not allow kick-off when a player is in an offside position in the opposing half of the field.

“You need to take the pressure for their half,” continued Coach Johansen. "We can take the pressure off our defense if the three players who are guarding you follow you to their defense. If they stay in midfield, try your best to punish them." He added, his tone was convincing.

"One more thing" said the coach, holding Zachary's shoulder. "Say Kendrick to release a long ball at you every time he takes our goal kick. It will be your responsibility to keep their defenses tense. That's the only way to reduce the pressure on our other players. Understood?"

Zachary nodded as he downed the water. He also noticed that Coach Bjorn was standing next to the fourth official to register a substitute. The two NF academy players had put on their jerseys and were waiting to enter the field. Zachary wondered if they had time to warm up.

"Go and do your best" Coach Johannsen patted his back as he sent him back onto the pitch.

Zachary frowned at the contact. The coach has a strong swing.

He ran to Kendrick first and whispered the coach's instructions in his ear. He then slapped the backs of the NF academy players, encouraging them to stay focused in the closing minutes. He is trying to fulfill his role as captain.

Meanwhile, rjan Boermark and Paul Kasongo ran off the pitch, making way for defensive-minded substitutes. Zachary ran towards the center circle to start the game. For a moment, he was nervous and lost his position because he often played behind some of his team-mates. But he took a deep breath and forcefully calmed down while waiting for the referee's whistle.

*FREEEE!*

The game starts again. Zachary kicked the ball towards Magnus in defensive midfield before running towards Riga's box without looking back. He positioned himself between two Riga centre-backs who were in the process of improving their defensive line.

The three players who had marked him for a moment were confused by his actions. They tried to follow him back into their defense. However, the shouts of their coach from the sidelines immediately blew them away. Zachary was left alone accompanied by two centre-backs standing to his left and right. Meanwhile, defensive midfielder Riga retreated slightly— took on the role of intercepting a pass to Zachary.

What happened next was a long wait. Zachary watched Riga's attacking team use high pressing tactics against his team-mates, forcing them to lose possession on several occasions.

Davis Indrans, the captain of the Riga team, is everywhere around the 18-yard box of the NF academy. He became more active after being relieved of his responsibility to mark Zachary. He intercepted the ball in midfield and sent a tempting pass into the box on several occasions.

However, the NF academy defenders appear to have woken up from their slumber after conceding two goals. They managed to clear the dangerous ball every time they entered the box. Riga's chances of scoring often ended in a desperate sweep by teammate Zachary.

In the 88th minute, captain Riga came close to scoring. He creates space for himself and tries his efforts from outside the box. However, Kendrick Otterson was in a good position and stretched to push the ball away from his net with his fingertips. The ball hit the right post and flew back into the air heading outside the box.

One of Riga's strikers got a rebound just outside the box. But his efforts are blocked by Magnus, taking the sting and force out of the shot.

Kendrick Otterson managed to make a comfortable save before quickly kicking the ball high-— towards the halfway line where Zachary waited with his bodyguard.

Zachary immediately ran towards the ball as it descended to the ground. He could feel Riga's two team centre-backs shadowing him en route to the NF's half-college to collect the ball.

He was desperate to relieve his team-mates of the pressure they had been under for the previous few minutes. The only way to do that is to hold the ball for as long as possible.