Chapter 88: FA Cup Final [3]
Saturday, May 15, 2010
As Max hit it clean. A rocket, with all heart and fire.
The ball tore toward goal.
The ball clipped Čech's glove.. then clanged off the post and spun wide, out past the line.
The referee pointed to the corner flag. But the roar had already swallowed the moment.
Max stood frozen, chest heaving, eyes locked on the net that had just denied him. His shot. His chance. Inches from making history.
Now just silence in his chest and a roar around him he could barely hear. Thiago was first to reach Max, steadying him with a hand on his back. "We'll get the next one," he said softly, though he was breathing hard too.
Max didn't reply. He just nodded once quiet and empty his eyes still fixed on the post.
That goal could've changed everything.
From the sideline, Niels shouted, "Get your heads up! This isn't over, fight for every second!"
