As Julian stepped onto the field, the morale of the main team players plummeted.
"Fake! Our left side is already compromised, and now the coach is actually sending Julian, who's never practiced with us, to the rescue? Doesn't this mean we're going to lose?"
"I think the coach is just trying to get back at us, screwing us over for sure."
"Yeah, the sparring players have enjoyed their moment in the spotlight on the left, and now they're going to attack like mad dogs!"
"Don't even think about it, our left side is doomed to collapse..."
Rusty Stripe spoke up in a gruff voice, "I believe Julian's got some tricks up his sleeve, otherwise, how could he have beaten me?"
Captain Bread looked concerned, "Octo, you and I need to move to the left to support it."
Octo replied arrogantly, "Defend? You've got to be kidding. I'm all about scoring goals, not playing defense."
"What the hell are you saying?" Harry murmured under his breath.
Octo shot back, "What's your problem?"
Bread intervened quickly, "Alright, alright, let's not argue! We've got to focus on winning this game. If we can't win, at least draw! Otherwise, we'll be the laughing stock of the main team, and the coach won't be lenient if we lose. He might not even let us play in the group stages."
Michael took a deep breath, "Fine. We'll just have to play through this - don't worry about that Asian kid on the left. Just pass the ball to me when you get the chance, I'll drive forward. You guys cover the second point with that asshole."
"Alright..."
The main team swiftly reorganized their positions after agreeing on the makeshift "strategy," which completely ignored Julian's role.
The game resumed with a whistle from the temporary referee.
Sissy began with a kickoff at the center circle, passing directly to the blind man in the right midfield. Blind deftly dribbled the ball along the right side, while Michael seized the opportunity to advance into the center.
The training team retreated and tightened their defense. They had tasted victory and weren't about to let go in the last ten minutes.
The main team mirrored their formation.
You have to admit, the Bucks Steel Horns, despite being high school students, had solid fundamentals in formation and positioning.
Julian, as a left back, moved forward with the team's overall shift but didn't rush ahead. He knew the training team would counterattack from the left once their main team's offensive was thwarted.
Julian smartly established a triangular formation with central defender Rusty Stripe and the midfielder, Bun.
The only thing making Julian a bit uncomfortable was maintaining his position while continuously switching back and forth across the field. It was quite different from his previous football-playing days.
However, Julian's physical fitness was more than adequate for the task at hand.
After a few passes in the right front area, the ball finally reached Michael's feet, piercing through the training team's defense.
The main team's powerful offensive was about to unfold!
Facing two defensive players, Michael forced his way into the sparring team's penalty area with the ball.
The defenders of the sparring team immediately recognized Michael's intent and intensified their efforts to contain him.
Sissy requested the ball on the left side of the penalty area, but despite Michael's eagerness, he was hindered by a lack of viable passing options.
Observing that all attacking lanes were obstructed, it became increasingly challenging for Michael to maintain possession.
Michael attempted a forceful through pass——
The football was blocked by the training team's defenders!
Pandemonium ensued in the penalty area.
Promptly, a midfielder from the training team cleared the ball, sending it straight to the left half!
The sparring team's striker had been waiting patiently in the left half!
The focal point of the sparring team's counterattack was also the main team's left side.
The quality of this clearance was exceptional, with the football's trajectory five to six meters ahead of the training team's striker.
The sparring team's striker hastened to pursue the ball in a frenzy!
The right midfielders and right-backs of the sparring team responded in kind, preparing to cover the flanks aggressively once their forward secured possession.
Yet, Julian remained isolated on the left half of the main team.
If the sparring team's striker could take control of the ball swiftly, a three-on-one opportunity would arise against the main team in a matter of seconds!
The main players were disheartened!
Their offensive strategy had inadvertently omitted Julian, and there was no time for them to assist or defend him now!
Octo had abandoned hope of returning to defense, while Bread retreated to his own penalty area.
Bread not only reduced his defensive position but also shouted at Julian: "Julian! Fall back! Withdraw!"
Julian appeared not to hear Bread's cry, instead sprinting towards the ball's predicted landing spot at breakneck speed!
Julian's position was three or four steps deeper than the training team's forwards!
However, Julian's acceleration was swift and decisive!
The players and even Coach Carter, the grizzled veteran on the sidelines, were stunned——
Julian's speed rivaled that of Orin, that dog!
Julian charged decisively and bravely before the sparring team's striker could touch the ball, using his body to knock the opponent away from the rolling football's path!
The sparring team's striker uttered a surprised "Fake" before regaining his composure.
This level of impact was unforeseen by the training team's striker and even Julian's own teammates!
Julian's intervention had undeniably been a lifesaver!
After displacing the training team's striker, Julian swiftly brought the ball under control with his toes. While doing so, he swiftly surveyed the field.
The training team's striker, unwilling to concede, rushed forward with a fierce expression to reclaim the ball.
Simultaneously, the sparring team's right midfielder and right-back, along with the entire sparring team, pushed into the main team's left half!
Captain Bread, near his own penalty area, called out to Julian: "Send it back! Send it back!"
Julian, unfazed, immediately performed a half-turn to shield the ball and kicked it with precision towards the center of the forward field!
This through pass was incredibly powerful, a testament to Julian's skillful long pass and past experience playing street soccer.
Michael in the frontcourt brought the ball to a halt with a swift acceleration!
But upon receiving the pass, Michael was astonished!
He had never anticipated that Julian could deliver such an amazing long pass while marked by two defenders!
This ball was undeniably a professional player's pass!
The timing, vision, and accuracy of the pass were all impeccable!
What was even more astonishing was that this kick had caught the training team, shifting to the left half, off-guard!
Coach Carter's eyes lit up on the sidelines, only to yell, "Damn it! Michael, your father!!!"
Michael, albeit flustered, dashed into the training team's penalty area with the ball.
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