Chapter 9: The Dragon's Nest always has flames.

Beijing; China.

Matchday at The Beijing International Stadium. Beijing Red Dragons welcome Supa Strikas in this friendly fixture.

Beijing Red Dragons come into this game as the incumbent Asian Champions having won the Conference league before obtaining promotion to the Super League no.2 after winning the global playoffs.

Supa Strikas on the other hand have had a season to forget, having sacked their 4-year coach Antonio Devento after a terrible season before hiring Themba Sibisi who took charge in an unorthodox manner on the final game of the season. Helping Supa Strikas survive relegation from the African Conference league. Supa Strikas is without star striker Paul Orlando who has put in a transfer request. Two teams in opposite paths, one on the cusp of glory whilst the other, trying to survive. It is no doubt who will come out superior in this fixture.

Beijing Stadium: Supa Strikas Dressing room.

"OK boys, remember that this is just a friendly game. No need to go over the top but just enough to impress me. Understood?" Spenza stated, wearing a black suit with a red tie before sporting his iconic Bucket hat.

"Yes SIRRRR" the squad all yelled in unison.

"I am sure you have all met Klaus Von Winkelsworth who is our Attacking Coach, he has worked with me in the past and is a former Supa Strikas player himself. He joins the club as part of my coaching staff, you will meet the defensive coach North Shaw later today as he is currently inbound from Japan." Spenza said pointing to Klaus Who was wearing a full Supa Strikas track suit with red and yellow details.

"Welcome COACH" The players all shouted, before clapping their hands three times.

"Thankz Youz for ze warm Welcome." Klaus said, In a German Accent.

"Now on to the game at hand, we will be playing A 4-3-3 formation with two defensive Middle fielders. Goalkeeper:

Scelo Sokhulu(16), Right Back: Kyle van Jaarsveld (15), Center backs: Tebogo Mosimang(12) and Jack Green (3), Left Back: Ryan Davids (45)." Spenza said, as Ryan, a short, dark skinned 20-year-old boy seemed Shocked at being picked.

"Now, in middle-field, a trio of Pule Motaung (6), Mark Philips (8) and Menzi Makhoba (14)., our Attackers will be: Andile Manzuel (44) at left wing, Mateo Garcia (99) at Center forward and Zuko Skhosana (42) on the Right wing."Spenza said as everyone began changing into their playing kits. An away jersey was what they wore, a bright yellow kit with red highlights and red numbers on it was present.

Everyone began to walk towards the tunnel before Spenza shouted "Mark!".

"Yes Coach?" Mark responded, staying behind as everyone walked out.

"You forgot your band." Spenza said, putting on a captain's armband on Mark's arm.

"Thanks coach." Mark said, as he and Spenza both walked to the tunnel, Spenza walked out into the large stadium first, sitting on the bench with Klaus and the rest if the unpicked squad.

The team though stood in the tunnel as the Red Dragons also joined them sporting a unique red and black kit with dragon like detail in the front.

The two teams then both walked out toa filled, 30 000-seater Stadium filled with red and black shirts. Filling the stadium with a huge roar of approval.

The two teams both shook hands and the captains both went to the coin toss in front of the referees.

"Now I expect a fair and friendly game from both of you. Remember, this is a friendly, not a final. Okay." The main referee said, as he threw a coin the air before showing it to the captains.

"Shu Xien,(referring to the Red Dragons captain.) Your team will kick off, correct." The referee said. Pointing to the left side.

"Yep, no problem." Shu Xein replied before shaking hands with Mark.

"Good luck, you're gonna need it" Shu said, as they exchanged badges before taking a photo with the refs and joining their sides.

Kick-off- 15h00 Shanghai Time.

The Red Dragons began passing the ball around as the Supa Strikas players began pressing to get the ball, every‐time one of the Supa Strikas players got near a player with the ball, the player just calmly passed the ball with ease to his teammates. This went on for a few minutes before the Red Dragons pounced. Passing the ball with speed as they advanced forward, getting past the Supa Strikas players who attempted to tackle the ball back, soon they man‐aged to get the ball to the front of the 18-yard are with Shu Xien getting in front of goal, attempting to shoot the ball as a sliding tackle came from the back, taking the ball with ease whilst not making Shu fall.

Mark stood on top of the ball, having taken the ball.

"You aren't winning this match that easy." Mark said, before passing the ball to one of his teammates.

"We shall see... This is my den." Shu said, as he ran to help his teammates defend.

"COUNTER-ATTACK!" Mark shouted as they all ran towards the Dragon's goal, passing the ball down the wing be‐fore Zuko got it, running down the right wing, as both Mateo and Andile shouted for a pass, but Zuko chose to ignore them. He opted to cut inside, beating the Defenders with a beautiful piece of skill before taking a skewered shot that veered outside the post to the stands.

"What's wrong with you dummy? I was open!" Mateo shouted, kicking the ground as Zuko looked disappointed in himself.

"Should've passed," Andile said, as he jogged past Zuko towards his team's side.

The red Dragons' keeper quickly kicked the ball off. Passing to his other teammates who gave it to Shu in a quick succession of passes. Shu quickly ran with the ball, wearing the No.11 Jersey as he ran towards Mark who immediately rushed in aiming to stop the attack. Shu simply passed the ball to another teammate as Shu got past Mark.

The teammate passed the ball immediately back to Shu.

"You might be my only match here. fellow star, but this is my theater." Shu said, running past Mark as he dribbled the rest of the players and once again aimed a shot just outside the 18-yard are, this time, however, he managed to take a blazing shot towards the right top corner, going in as the commentators all screamed "Goooooooall" as Shu went to celebrate in front of the fans with his teammates.

"Good attempt at the save." Mark said as he ran to Scelo (gk) before helping him up.

"Nah, should've see that curve coming to be honest. How we gonna Deal with this now cap?" Scelo said, looking at the demotivated team.

"We gonna have to fight. Let's get back into it." Mark said, picking up the ball and jogging to Zuko.

"Oi, New kid. You're kicking off go set up. Pass to Mateo." Mark said, as he gave Zuko the ball. Who just quietly took the ball to the and set it up in the centre of the field, waiting for everyone to take their positions.

[On the bench]

"Looks like you were right, we might loze zis match." Klaus said, sitting on the bench.

"Yeah, 7. Minutes in and we are already a goal down. Seems like there is a lot of fracture in the team." Spenza said, noting something down.

-back to the match. -

The game restarted and the match began to be more stable, Supa strikas managed to keep the ball well whilst get‐ting a few chances at goal. But their three attackers were all seemingly selfish, with neither wanting to pass to the others. All of them either missed their chances or the ball was stolen by the other team before they could do any‐thing with it.

The Red Dragons on the either hand seemed more cohesive. Making great Attacking plays through Shu, who seemed to link play well through his teammates, managing to create a lot of scoring opportunities that were un‐luckily deflected or prevented by the Supa Strikas defense.

-44th minute.

The Red Dragons are moving the ball well Attacking through Shu again as Mark seems to be the only person pressuring Shu, who tries to shake of Mark but can't. The ball gets to Shu's feet, but he seemingly can't do much with it. "You have managed to keep me in check, fellow Star. But this is my theater, and the main star always has a supporting cast. If yours was competent, you might have had a chance." Shu said passing to his to one of his teammates who wore the number 9 jersey with the name 'M. Lee' on the back who just came from nowhere and shot a powerful shot at goal, scoring a beauty as the Red Dragons went to celebrate once more.

"This show feels a bit one sided, does it not, fellow star. Hopefully the second act is slightly more dramatic." Shu said, tapping Mark on the shoulder.

Scelo gave the ball to Mark as both looked at their quiet teammates who looked defeated.

"It's as if they are being burned in a pit of fear. Completely immobile when the other team has the ball." Scelo said, giving the ball to Mark.

"Yeah, playing a high press against a high press team with better passing than you does that to yah. We have completely been beaten in this half." Mark said walking to the centre with the ball.

Mark simply put the ball down and looked at the opposing team who were all still celebrating...