THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
The Battle of Underdog III
"Even commentators call us underdogs" Kasongo grumbled.
"Don't worry about commenters," Paul replied with a smile. "Let's do our part and show the people in this stadium that we're top-dogs, not underdogs."
They rarely rest on the pitch after celebrating Zachary's goal with the rest of the team. They have had a minute or two to rest since ADO coach The Hague chose to make a substitution right after conceding a goal.
"It's so thick." Kasongo. "Winning this match will keep people quiet. Maybe our juniors will be considered the top seeds when they travel here for next year's Riga Cup."
Paul smiled. "That's great. Perhaps, our academy will welcome the golden age. We play in the semifinals."
Kasongo did not continue the conversation. He listened to the cheers and felt it was the greatest music in the world. There was a fire in his heart that was lost at the beginning of the match.
Not many academy players expect to reach the semi-finals when they first arrive in Riga. The possible exception is Zachary because he plays every game like a champion. Most players, including Kasongo, only come to gain experience. They had not expected to be among the top four contenders for the trophy.
They are well aware that they are an inexperienced group, competing with some of the top academies from across Europe. Even 'just getting through' to the quarter-finals alone has satisfied them. NF Academy has never made it past the group stage in the previous Riga Cup session.
However, to reach the quarter-finals, some, such as Kendrick and Magnus, began to believe they could emerge victorious. They began preaching to the rest of the squad, trying to motivate them to work towards the same dream.
The rest of the squad have received their motivational talks, but most of the rest of the squad still have a sense of inferiority. They feel that winning against a strong team like Zenit is not a miracle, it is impossible to replicate. Losing the game against Genoa has strengthened the complex even further.
If Kasongo had to be one hundred percent honest with himself, he would have to admit that he was part of that self-doubting group of people. But it ended during the match against ADO The Hague.
Zachary's goal had riled him up, giving rise to some wild ambition in the deepest recesses of his mind. For the first time since his arrival in Riga, Kasongo felt one hundred percent confident with his troops. He believes it is capable of winning trophies.
Meanwhile, the feeling quickly passed, just a glimmer of hope, a ray of unborn sunlight, but he could still feel it. Maybe it's just optimism, grabbing the possibility of future opportunities. But, he decided to play his best and win the tournament to cultivate that feeling.
Kasongo took a quick glance at the sidelines and saw that the ADO Den Hague substitute was ready to enter. "Gosh, you better get back in your shoes" he shouted, giving Paul a light push, preventing him from continuing the conversation. "We have to keep our heads in the game" he added.
"OK, okay," Paul replied as he ran across the field towards the left wing to take his position.
*FREEEE*
The referee blew his whistle, and the game restarted after the goal and the substitution. ADO The Hague played straight away at a high tempo, diverting the ball from the wing to the wing, attempting to pierce into the half of the NF Academy pitch.
Kasongo noted that their winger has good speed and dribbling ability. They often dribble near the edge line before attempting to provide a feedback or cross into the box so their striker can score. They teamed up with the full-backs to outflank the defenders, providing the biggest threat to Kasongo and his team-mates.
As the match progressed, Kasongo noticed that ADO Den Hague players had set up a 4-4-2 formation, unlike the 4-3-3 attack form they used in the first quarter of an hour. They dominated the course of the game for the next few minutes, with the wingers and central midfielders showing their class every time they touched the ball.
Substitute Danny Bakker, a highly creative attacking midfielder, improved their attacking play significantly. He often releases pin-point passes that lead to wings that keep moving like sniper bullets.
In the 38th minute, Danny Bakker controlled the ball near the centre circle after receiving a pass from Tyronne Ebuehi—bek right ADO The Hague. Without a pause, he unleashed a pass that split the defense towards the left wing, where Calvin Valies lurked. The switch from midfield to wing was so sudden, that the NF Academy defenders were momentarily confused.
Those few seconds were enough for Calvin to dribble to the ground, without a fight, and dart past half of the NF Academy, relying on his incredible speed.
Kasongo instantly shut it down, trying to intercept the ball and delaying the attack. He tilted his body to force it towards the touchline, and in doing so, prevented the highly agile winger from cutting back onto the field. He was committed to defense, trying to create time for the defenders of the NF Academy to form and deal with the incoming attacks. Kasongo did not feel too worried because that was the way they used to deal with ADO Den Hague wing attacks throughout the game.
However, ADO left winger Den Hague did not dribble as he had hoped. Calvin played a one-two with Robin van der Meer, left-back, passing him on the right wing before cutting back into the field.
yvind Alseth, the NF Academy's right-back, also tried to pressure him to grab the ball, but his efforts were in vain. He had delayed his reaction for a few seconds more than necessary, giving the winger enough space to cross the ball.
The winger did not waste such a rare opportunity.
Kasongo frowned when he saw Calvin Valies dribbling towards the box. He then whipped the ball in a circular arc behind the defenders of NF Academy.
Calvin's cross went right in, finding Catalin Tira, ADO Den Hague centre-forward, near the post.
Catalin Tira showed great brilliance and calmness in the box. He did a spectacular diving header from a very sharp angle, almost beating Kendrick to equalise.
However, the goalkeeper was alert and managed to make a spectacular acrobatic save. He punched the incoming ball, steered it over the crossbar. He had saved the NF Academy from the deadliest attack of ADO The Hague so far.
Kasongo ran towards him and patted his back. "Good rescue, man. You are truly God's grace in our cause."
"Enough with his screwdriver" Kendrick scowled at him. "Prepare to defend against a corner. And, stay focused." The guard seemed to be in a very dark mood with only play on his mind.
Kasongo did not mind his friend's tone and obediently walked to the edge of the box. He understands that tension often grows high in matches, pushing the players into a somber mood. Some of his teammates could finish the entire game without bothering to share a few words with others. They only talk to ask for passes, point out other people's mistakes, or in some rare circumstances that are only related to the game. Zachary is that type of player, and it looks like Kendrick is slowly following him.
"Let's hold on, let's hold on..." His musings were interrupted by Kendrick's cries, ordering the players to mark every ADO Den Hague player in the box.
NF Academy managed to maintain a corner. Robin Jatta, the centre-back, jumped another player in the box, heading the corner ball out of the game.
The referee pointed at the corner flag once again.
Tyronne Ebuehi, the right-back of ADO The Hague, moved towards the flag to release a corner kick. Meanwhile, the players from both teams pushed and pushed their opponents, trying to outwit them. It took several warnings from the referee to order it so that the corner can run smoothly.
*FREEEE*
The referee blows the whistle after he finishes setting the players up.
Tyronne Ebuehi sent a long pass to the head of Catalin Tira, who somehow escaped his target. The centre-forward made no mistake from close range and sent the ball into the bottom right corner.
1:1.
ADO The Hague equalised in the 41st minute. The goal could not be attributed to the mistakes of the NF Academy players. It was 'just' a brilliant game from the centre-forward. He had outscored his opponent to head the ball into the back of the net. The defenders have done their best, but it has not been enough.
Kasongo stood with his hands akimbo, watching ADO Den Hague players celebrate the goal. He does not believe that they are still conceding despite having followed Coach Johansen's game plan in writing. Kasongo has done the best he can, but his team still conceded one goal. The cup that had been getting closer seemed to have moved miles away within minutes.
"It's not over, guys..." He heard Zachary screaming from somewhere on the edge of the box. "It's not over yet. We just got back to square one. Let's keep doing our best." The captain went around the box shouting at each NF Academy player.
Kasongo smiled, his mood lifted. He hasn't lost the game. They can still win if they play well and create more chances.
"Let's win," he shouted, joining the other players who started clapping to encourage themselves. The game is not over. It's just getting started.
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