My Football Legends Chat Group-Chapter 69: Game on, wonderkid

"Don’t be nervous, kid, we’re all wearing the same badge." A rough yet calming voice rang out from behind him, surprising Joseph quite a bit.

"A-Ah thank you, Skip." He muttered, suddenly feeling a little better.

"I’m Luke, the captain. Nice to meet you." Luke Ayling smiled, flashing his missing tooth.

"I’m Mateo Joseph, nice to meet you too." He replied.

The small chat and introduction seemed to have calmed any nerves that Joseph had leftover, allowing him to concentrate on the Hull City defense. He saw the first pass coming from midfield and decided to let it run.

Unfortunately, the Hull defender, Coyle, intercepted it despite being a yard away by Joseph’s calculations. Since he was a veteran, he was well aware that body positioning could have a great impact on 50/50 duels.

’This Coyle must be a really annoying defender,’ Joseph thought inwardly. Knowing that there was already a battle on the wing only served to light a fire within him. Ever since leaving the U21s, he vowed to never be bullied again, even by senior pros.

’I’ll hold the next one up.’

Archie Gray sent another ball towards the same spot, wanting to break the lines with his vision.

"As if I’ll let you!"

Joseph planted his feet and leaned back, shielding the ball right in between the center-back and the full-back.

"Yes!" The fans in the South Stand cheered, seeing how the ball stuck to the young striker’s feet.

"GET OFF HIM!"

The Hull center-back let out a shout as his muscles seemed to almost rip through his orange shirt. He leapt into the tackle, scooping the ball away with his studs before flinging it to the midfielder in front of him in one smooth motion.

The midfielder swung his head and was about to spray it wide, however, he was surprised to see that Rio was already pressing the space. In a fraction of a second, he made the decision to play it safe back to the keeper.

"Reset."

Joseph stood near the box a few moments later with a disappointed look on his face.

"Ah damn it, I almost turned him." He cursed.

Rio couldn’t help but smile after seeing the display. The center-back was Jacob Greaves, known for his aggressive aerial plays.

The full-back with the armband was Coyle. Despite being smaller, he was able to quickly and accurately nip at heels lightning fast.

"Very good." Manager Farke mumbled from the touchline and began to write down some comments on his notepad.

Rio didn’t need to peek over his shoulder to know what he was writing. Just the fact that Joseph had occupied two defenders and prevented the counter-attack was enough to know that he had potential.

"Rio, you’re on the ball next," Farke shouted, pointing to the throw-in.

A grin formed on Rio’s face. There was a certain pride with being the main creative outlet on the team, better known as the playmaker. It seemed that he had made enough of an impression to receive this responsibility.

However, in the next moment, he shook his head. He shouldn’t let something like this stroke his ego, not until he secured the win. What was the point in being the best player in a draw? Absolutely nothing.

Archie was someone that Rio remembered clearly from the future; therefore, it was no surprise that he demanded the ball back immediately.

Rio picked up the ball and made his way to the touchline. It was currently the 15th minute and the score was 0-0, meaning he had to either create a chance or go straight for goal himself.

Since he didn’t trust the Hull defense to make a mistake in this low block, this would likely be the only time he would have the chance to open them up before halftime.

His eyes shifted to the midfield where two players who looked eerily similar were standing. These were the Hull pivots, supreme ball-winners who could close down any space as long as it entered their territory.

Rio knew that he couldn’t play it into the center circle, just in case Archie got swarmed. Which only left the channel behind the full-back.

"You sure like to observe." Coyle said from beside Rio, a hint of annoyance in his tone.

"I like to do my research, Lewie." Rio replied, a grin forming on his face.

Coyle’s face flashed with surprise, yet a scowl crept onto his lips a moment later.

’Looks like we need to snap this guy.’

After saying so, he didn’t wait for a reply and squared up his shoulders, finally focusing on the throw-in.

Greaves, who had been staring daggers at Rio from the box, was starting to feel stifled after being ignored for so long. It was almost as if he was being completely disregarded as a threat.

This, on top of being beaten for pace earlier, only served to fuel his rage.

’I’m gonna wreck you, boy.’ Greaves ground his teeth, gripping the striker’s shirt tightly.

Finally, the object of his hate turned and faced the pitch after scanning the field for so long. Greaves let out a deep breath, managing to calm his state of mind a little. It would do no good if he were to concede a penalty here.

He nodded at Coyle, happy with the cover. In the next moment, Rio performed his throw and sent the ball rocketing towards Piroe’s chest at a cool speed, using his Titan’s Core for extra distance.

Greaves’ eyes narrowed as he followed the ball, judging the flight path and anticipating where it would land within the box.

He waited a fraction of a second longer than he usually would before throwing all of his weight onto his back foot and jumping through with power.

THUD!

The very first duel he faced was won by Rio’s throw finding Piroe perfectly. The ball stuck to Piroe’s chest, seeming as if it was glued. Greaves, in the air, missed the ball entirely and clattered into Piroe’s back.

"FOUL!" The crowd screamed.

"Play on!" The referee waved his hands.

"Huh?" Greaves couldn’t help but stare at the referee who leisurely jogged away, not even checking VAR.

’Isn’t that a penalty?’

Piroe, however, didn’t complain. He laid the ball off to the side.

Rio was there.

He had sprinted onto the pitch the moment he released the throw.

"Rio!" Archie shouted from the edge of the box.

But Rio didn’t pass. He saw Coyle closing in. He saw Greaves scrambling back.

[Skill: Titan’s Core Active]

Rio took a touch with his right foot. Coyle slid in.

Rio planted his left foot and absorbed the impact. Coyle bounced off his hip like a pebble hitting a tank.

"Get off me," Rio whispered.

He was in the box. The angle was tight. The keeper, Allsop, rushed out to close him down.

’Low to the left.’

Rio remembered the data.

He wound up his right leg as if to smash it near post. Allsop flinched, shifting his weight.

At the last second, Rio opened his hips and curled it low to the far post with the inside of his boot.

SWISH.

The ball nestled into the side netting.

GOAL.

1-0.

"YES!" Rio screamed, running towards the corner flag.

He didn’t do a backflip. He didn’t dance.

He stood still, arms wide, soaking in the roar of Elland Road.

Archie jumped on his back. Piroe hugged him. Even Joseph ran over from the other side of the pitch.

"You’re a monster!" Archie laughed. "You threw him off like a ragdoll!"

Rio smiled, pointing to his temple. "Strength is in the mind, Archie."

He looked up at the directors’ box. He knew his dad wasn’t there yet, but he felt him.

"One more," Rio whispered. "One more for the Player of the Month."

[Chat Room Active]

Hand_Of_King: That wasn’t a throw-in! That was a catapult! And the finish... cool as ice.

Total_Football_14: The movement after the throw was key. You created the space before you even touched the ball. This is total football.

Zizou_5: Coyle is angry now. Watch your ankles. He will try to hurt you.

Rio nodded internally. He knew the game was far from over.

The referee blew the whistle for the restart.

Hull City looked rattled. They started arguing with each other. Greaves was shouting at Coyle.

Rio jogged back to the halfway line. He looked at Coyle.

The Hull captain was red-faced, breathing heavily.

"You think you’re clever?" Coyle spat.

"I think I’m winning," Rio replied calmly.

The game restarted. Hull tried to attack, but Leeds were energized.

25th minute. Leeds corner.

Rio walked over to take it. The fans in the corner cheered his name.

"Rio! Rio! Rio!"

He placed the ball down. He looked at the box.

He saw Rodon making a run. He saw Struijk at the back post.

But he also saw a gap at the edge of the box.

Archie Gray was standing there, unmarked.

[System Notification]

[Mission: The Creator]

[Target: Register 5 Assists (0/5)]

Rio raised his hand. Two fingers.

Archie saw the signal.

Rio whipped the ball in. But not into the box.

He drove it flat and hard to the edge of the area.

Archie ran onto it. He hit it first time.

BOOM.

The ball flew through the crowded box. It took a deflection off Greaves’ knee.

And flew into the top corner.

2-0.

"OH MY GOD!" The commentator screamed. "What a routine! Straight from the training ground!"

Archie ran to Rio, sliding on his knees. "I TOLD YOU! FEED ME!"

Rio laughed, lifting the kid up. "Great hit, wonderkid."

Farke on the sideline was clapping furiously. He turned to his assistant.

"That wasn’t in the playbook," Farke said, stunned. "Rio invented that."

"He’s evolving," the assistant noted.

Rio looked at the scoreboard. 2-0. 25 minutes gone.

He felt unstoppable.

But then, he felt a twinge in his ankle.

Nothing serious. Just a warning.

[System Warning]

[Stamina Drain: 40%]

[Titan’s Core Usage: High]

’I need to pace myself,’ Rio thought. ’The game is long.’

He looked at Hull. They looked broken.

"Let’s kill them," Rio whispered. "One more before halftime."

But football is never that simple.

35th minute. Hull counter-attack.

Archie lost the ball in midfield. The Hull winger, Philogene, broke away.

He was fast. Faster than Ayling.

He crossed it.

Delap rose high.

THUD.

Goal.

2-1.

The crowd went quiet. The momentum shifted.

Rio looked at his teammates. Heads were dropping. Ayling was shouting at Archie.

"Hey!" Rio clapped his hands loud. "Head up! It’s one goal! We are still winning!"

He walked over to Archie. The kid looked devastated.

"Skip, I..."

"Shut up," Rio said firmly. "You made a mistake. It happens. Now get the ball back."

Archie looked at Rio. He saw the fire in his eyes.

"Okay," Archie nodded.

"We go again," Rio shouted. "Leeds! Leeds! Leeds!"

The crowd responded. The chant built up again.

Rio stood in the center circle for the restart. He looked at Coyle.

Coyle was smiling now.

"Game on, wonderkid," Coyle sneered.