THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
Group Results And New Skills
“JFC Riga managed to hold off the Genoa Youth team draw with a score of 1:1,” said Paul Otterson excited.
[Series result against Genoa! How did Riga's team manage it?] thought Zachary, surprised. He has watched the match between BK Frem and Genoa and concluded that the Italian team is by far the most powerful enemy in their group. He wondered how the JFC Riga— team that lost to the NF academy with four goals managed to get a draw. [Don't that mean ..]
"Do you know what this means?" Paul continued, interrupting Zachary's way of thinking. "We've reached the quarter-finals." He kicked the table excitedly, attracting some scowls from other restaurant visitors.
A chatter sounded around the table. Zachary and his team-mates sat around a long dining table at the Monika Centrum Hotel restaurant, waiting for— while uniformed waiters continued to carry trays containing dinner from the kitchen.
Words can be difficult to pronounce in the middle of the diner. However, Zachary could hear his teammates chatting about which team they would face in the quarter-finals.
They are still in a cheerful mood as they won the match against BK Frem by a six-goal margin on the day. News of Genoa's draw with JFC Riga was like icing on the cake, fanning their euphoria even further. So, they bump into each other, cuddle like little girls, celebrate the Genoa lottery.
Zachary smiled gently, his mood lifted. He was worried about the next game. He is already preparing to play his best against Genoa— to guarantee the NF academy qualification to the quarter-finals. However, Genoa has come forward and helped him. He felt a wave of excitement emanating from his soul, like a new spring bud growing into a naturally vibrant flower, one by one. He's in a happy state.
"What about the results of Group B?" Zachary asked, staring at his flatmate. He takes a nap after lunch and then trains in the simulator system— until dinner time. He didn't get a chance to hear any news about the other group games in the Riga tournament.
Zachary's desk once again became silent as Paul Otterson cleared his throat. "Group B results are more surprising" Paul said with a mysterious smile. "Zenit leads the group after a 3:2 win against Tottenham on Monday, then beats AIK Stockholm, 2:1 this afternoon."
Paul stopped as a waiter walked over, putting a tray of food in front of him: delicious smoked fish with rye bread, crescent-shaped Latvian pastries, and vegetables. The sight and aroma of the dish was enough to make Zachary hungrier than ever. He hoped the servants would hurry up and bring the food as well.
"Tottenham also managed to win the game against Atalanta today with a score of 4:2" Paul continued while picking up knives and forks. "Zenit leads their group with six points, followed by Tottenham with three points. AIK and Atalanta are one point behind each. Their group seems very difficult." He said, cut off a piece of his fish and put it in his mouth. The other tablemates gulped because their food had not yet come.
"We have to face one of the two teams that are out of that group" Kasongo said. "I want to know who will be first. Tottenham or Zenit?"
"I won't worry about Tottenham" Kendrick said after sipping his juice. “My friends, who play for AIK, have told me that the Tottenham squad is not at their best. On the other hand, it would be better if we all avoided facing a Zenit Youth team in the quarter-finals. They have a very tight defence and are very good at scoring goals from corners."
"That's right," Paul cut off after swallowing a mouthful of food. "We have to try our best to be first in our group. We will only have a much easier time if we play against other teams from that group. Zenit have managed to beat Tottenham and AIK Stockholm so far."
The conversation slowed down as the waiter continued to bring food. Most players turn their attention to dinner on their plate. Eating is their favorite time—because they get a chance to replenish the calories burned after using their muscles.
"A draw against Genoa tomorrow night will keep us top of our group" Zachary said with a gentle smile. One of the waiters finally brought her dinner. It was different from Paul. On the tray is Rasol—a local Latvian dish made from potato salad, with several layers of meat, boiled eggs, and vegetables, all put together with mayonnaise. He also ordered smoked fish and rye bread. He ate and continued to listen to the conversation.
He is happy with the organizers of the Riga Tournament, especially in the feeding section. Players have the option to order up to four dishes, recommended by their coach, from their hotel restaurant. Zachary and his teammates always eat like new rich tourists.
"Group C is the strangest group" Kendrick commented, on the sidelines of a meal feed. "VfB Stuttgart beat Skonto Academy 8:1 on Monday. Today they beat Olimpiki Tbilisi, a team from Georgia, by a margin of nine goals to two."
"I heard one of their players was also like Zachary and managed to score seven goals in two games" Kasongo said. He took small meals carefully.
"Someone called Timo Werner," Paul interrupted, sighing. "He's a very skilled forward a natural number 9 backed by some good midfielders from the VfB Stuttgart academy."
"I heard they have another star player—Joshua Kimmich. He's the one who assists the most in their team" Kendrick said, leaning forward, cutting off his fried salmon. "They're probably the strongest team in the tournament."
Kasongo smiled gently. "It's great that they just might meet us in the semi-finals or the final" he said before seeping into his juice.
"Are any of you getting news about the results of group D?" Zachary asked. He almost ate half of it.
"It was supposed to be the easiest group." Paul sighed, shaking his head. "The last time I checked, Ado Den Hague led with three points. I don't know how they performed in today's game."
"We should be worried about tomorrow's game" Kendrick said, rolling his eyes. "I don't want to lose against Genoa."
"Good points, Kendrick." Zachary nodded, giving a thumbs up to his flatmate. "I wonder why Coach Johansen didn't have a pre-match tactical meeting. It usually happens the day before the game."
"I think we'll have a meeting tomorrow morning" Paul replied. "The match is scheduled for 07:00."
**** ****
After dinner, Zachary and Kasongo return to their rooms. They talked a little about the match for a few minutes— until Kasongo got tired and entered his bed for the night.
Zachary glanced at his watch, realizing that it was still 8:00 p.m. He slept for a few hours after the Frem BK game and did not feel sleepy yet.
He decided to practice in the system simulator for a few hours before going to bed. So, he opened the GOAT Skills tab to select the skills he would practice in the simulator.
****
(i) ZINEDINE VISUAL JUJU
(Level 1: Progress: 72.021%)
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(ii) ZACHARY-ARROW-SHOT
(2nd level: Progress: 1%)
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(iii) BEND-IT LIKE BECKHAM JUJU
(First level: Progress: 72.43%)
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(iv) Cruyff Round
(Progress: 100%, Powered.)
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(v) Elastico Dribble Ronaldinho
(First rate progress: 32%)
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-> GOAT Skill Simulator
Enable Disable
(Activation charges 2 Juju-points per hour)
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****
Zachary has noticed that Cruyff-turn and Elastico-dribble have been added to his GOAT skills after the game against JFC Riga. It seemed like every skill he managed to perform in the field would be put into his GOAT skill tab. Most likely, he would have to make moves on the field first, before the system could add it to his repertoire.
The system will then develop a specific training program for those skills in the simulator.
He was in a good mood as he could train new skills in the system simulator. For the past two nights, he had trained a Cruyff round with 100% full mastery%. That's why he was able to use it efficiently in the match against BK Frem earlier that day.
GOAT Skills Simulator is the perfect virtual reality training program. The 3D model of the soccer star in the simulator can easily embed the body movements, postures, and reflexes that the player needs to perform the movements. That's how Zachary managed to improve his death ball technique in a short time.
However, he understood that fitness was the foundation of his skill development. With the help of the elixir of the system, he can improve his fitness quickly, allowing him to learn skills without much effort.
He was confident that he would not be able to master Cruyff's round, for example, if he did not have A-level body control. He would fall to the ground on every attempt if his balance and coordination did not meet the skill requirements. That would be analogous to fitting a Bugatti engine into a Toyota Corona. It would not be able to drive a car to speeds above 300km/h without all the special systems and aerodynamic shape of the original vehicle. The vehicle will 'just' fall apart if you push it too far without special stabilizers, braking systems, tires, shock absorbers, and other spare parts.
So, Zachary has decided to intensify his fitness training when he returns to Trondheim after the tournament. He had to train his body first before he received any more skills from the system. It was the best way to prepare for the final stages of his career.
Zachary sighed and forcefully broke away from his contemplation. Physical fitness training can wait. He should focus on the game against Genoa Youth the next day at 19:00.
He activates GOAT Skills Simulator, spends two Juju points, and starts practicing Bend-it like Beckham Juju for the next hour. He felt the free kick technique would be useful soon.