Football singularity-Chapter 406 Pressure Mounting

Please vote to show me your support for the story. The higher we climb in the rankings, the more motivated I will feel. Mass releases will be rewarded for each 10 rankings we manage to climb.

#More than 10 Chapter ahead on my Patreon: patreon.com/TrikoRex

{!!!Please leave a Review it helps me a lot and lets me know how many people are invested in the future of this novel!!!}

~~~

[71]

Seeing his German colleague making changes, Masanaga also made a change. He brought on the lethal Shoji Toyama for Ayase Ueda, letting the 17-year-old use his energy to cause more problems for the Japanese backline. They had the momentum, and he wanted to ride it all the way to the finish line.

The changes from the Japanese manager received a warmer welcome than Baum’s changes. Since he had just equalised and the fact Ayase Ueda had put up a solid performance brought a warm feeling to the fans. The advantage of having more fans travel to watch them was shown as to the German players it felt as if the entire stadium was cheering them on.

[73]

The roar of the crowd at Zdzisław-Krzyszkowiak-Stadion had barely begun to settle when the match restarted, the score now level at 2-2. Germany kicked off, with Yannik Engelhardt sending a composed pass back to Kevin Ehlers. The German backline began their customary possession play, moving the ball with calm efficiency as they adjusted to the fresh legs on the pitch.

They followed Baums instruction to slow the game down as they let Wirtz and Yannik settle into the rhythm of the match. None of Baum’s tactics mattered to the Japanese’s fans as their crowd energized by their team’s comeback, cheered every moment of pressure applied by their players. Shoji Toyama, brimming with youthful enthusiasm, immediately set the tone by pressing Ehlers and Bella-Kotchap whenever they received the ball, forcing a hurried pass.

In one such situation, Ehlers was forced to send a hurried pass out to Simon Asta after facing Toyama’s pressure. Asta was met with Hiroki Abe, who lunged forward with a determined challenge, the ball ricocheting out of play for a German throw-in. Seeing this Baum urged the midfield to get involved as he could be seen shouting "Energy," on the sidelines.

The midfield trio was injected with a dose of enthusiasm as they started using their physicality to dominate the midfield. Utilizing Florian Wirtz in his new central playmaker role as he was dropped into the deep end. Forced to adjust to the rhythm quickly he started off slow by connecting a few passes with Rakim and Niklas.

[75]

Germany’s left flank began to find its rhythm, with Florian Wirtz, Rakim Rex, and Niklas Tauer orchestrating a controlled build-up. The trio formed tight triangles, playing short, precise passes to evade the pressing efforts of Yasui and Doan. Rakim, now operating as a left winger, showcased his versatility by drifting into central spaces, creating additional passing lanes for his teammates.

Wirtz though young started to slowly dictate Germany’s pace as he glided across the midfield, surveying the pitch with an almost predatory awareness. Spotting Simon Asta making an overlapping run on the opposite flank, Wirtz launched a diagonal ball that sliced through the Japanese midfield like a blade.

Asta had to stretch his leg up into the air to bring the ball down, but he managed to bring it under his control mid-sprint. He surged forward, drawing Daiki Sugioka out of position. Sugioka hesitated for a split second, enough for Asta to whip a low cross into the box. Lenn Jastremski was already in motion, timing his run perfectly to meet Asta’s cross.

The ball zipped across the penalty area, low and dangerous, but Takehiro Tomiyasu read the situation expertly. Sliding in with impeccable timing, he intercepted the cross just before Jastremski could connect, sending the ball skidding out toward the edge of the box.

Yannik Engelhardt was first to react, collecting the loose ball and taking a quick touch to steady himself. Skipping past Takuya Yasui’s slide tackle he lined up a shot from the top of the box and let it rip. Engelhardt’s strike was venomous, cutting through the air like a missile. The crowd collectively gasped as the ball rocketed toward the top corner. Kosei Tani, alert and composed, launched himself to his right, his outstretched fingertips stretched to the max.

He wouldn’t reach it in time though and he knew it, but lady luck was on his side as a second later the loud dong of the ball impacting the crossbar resounded. The stadium erupted in surprised gasps as the German fans held their heads in disappointment. Engelhardt was the most disappointed as he could be seen rooted to the ground staring at the goal in disbelief.

Engelhardt remained frozen, his hands resting on his head in disbelief as the ball flew into the stands. "He had a try, and he came so close but lady luck the fickle lady she is, chose another champion." Paul Gartner commented as he watched the Japanese players below breathe a sigh of relief.

Following that narrow miss, both teams entered a new deadlock with none willing to give up. Yannik joining Niklas as Germany’s double pivot used his physicality to dominate. Already more physically gifted than their Asian counterpart he made full use of it.

For a good while it seemed like Yannik was everywhere as he would tackle Takuya one second and fly into a slide tackle on Ritsu next. He fought with such efficiency that each time he won the ball for his team the travelling German fans cheered in jubilation as if he had scored a goal. Ao Tanaka wasn’t one to be beaten either as he became Japan’s midfield anchor.

The ball couldn’t slip past him without a fierce fight as he fully embodied the spirit of the samurai. Rakim tried to help from the wing, but he quickly found out that this duel was to be settled in midfield. As the moment he called for the ball and received it, he was swarmed by white jerseys.

They closed him down so fast and tightly that he wasn’t even able to attempt an effective dribble. Ao Tanaka and Takefusa Kubo pressed in unison, Yasui lurking just behind them in case Rakim attempted to spin out of trouble. With no time to manoeuvre, he instinctively flicked the ball backwards to Kevin Ehlers, resetting Germany’s possession.

The Japanese crowd roared in approval, sensing their team’s growing control. Masanaga Kageyama clapped his hands on the touchline, his sharp eyes scanning the pitch. His side had finally found a way to neutralize Germany’s most dangerous player.

Germany, now visibly frustrated, tried to slow the tempo again, shifting their play towards the right side where Simon Asta continued to push forward. Wirtz, seeing an opening, drifted to the flank, providing a short passing option.

Asta played a quick give-and-go with Wirtz before attempting to send another cross into the box, but Daiki Sugioka was wise to it this time. He threw himself in the way, blocking the delivery and deflecting it out for a German corner.

From the corner flag, Rakim jogged over to take the set piece. His gaze swept across the box, his mind already calculating. He whipped in a sharp, dipping ball toward the near post, where Armel Bella-Kotchap surged forward like a battering ram.

R𝑒ad latest chapt𝒆rs at freewebnovёl.ƈom Only.

The towering centre-back met it cleanly with his forehead, sending the ball toward the top corner. However, the ball was too close to the centre not troubling Kosei Tani, in the slightest. Despite the ball deflecting off Yuki’s shoulder Tani still managed to react and firmly grasp in his arms.

"Bella-Kotchap took to the sky, but Kosei Tani had an answer for him," Paul Gartner exclaimed following the powerful header. "Oh, looks like they are playing it quick this time."

Tani wasted no time after securing the ball, quickly scanning the field before rolling it out to Daiki Sugioka on the left flank. The Japanese left-back, sensing an opportunity, immediately surged forward, his powerful strides eating up the ground as he bypassed the first pressing wave of Germany’s forwards.

[81]

Hiroki Abe read the play perfectly, darting into space as Sugioka released a well-weighted pass down the line. Abe, whose energy had been relentless all night, controlled the ball in stride and turned toward goal, forcing Simon Asta to backpedal. With a sharp cut inside, he slipped past Asta’s desperate reach before threading a delicate pass to Kubo, who had found a pocket of space just outside the box.

Kubo controlled the ball smoothly, his head up, eyes scanning. For a moment, the entire stadium seemed to hold its breath. Kevin Ehlers wary of committing early, held his ground, while Yannik positioned himself between Kubo and Shoji Toyama, denying a direct passing lane.

With a quick flick of his right foot, Kubo feinted a shot, forcing Kevin to shift his weight. In that instant, he shifted left, creating the smallest opening. Not hesitating he broke through the gap created and immediately lined up for a shot. His shot came in a flash, a powerful low strike aimed for the bottom right corner.

.

.

.

.

To Be Continued...