Chapter 23:- Frustration Mounts: A Fierce Defense Blocks Bangladesh's Path

Watching the game unfold from afar, Klopp let out a sigh of regret. He, too, doubted the possibility of a comeback led by Kabir. "So this is how it ends. However, there is some silver lining to be found. This match will undoubtedly provide Kabir with valuable life lessons."

Yukina tightly clenched her fists, her disappointment evident. Even Khalid had lost hope by now, and some fans in the stadium began to make their way toward the exits.

"I came so close to winning the AFC Asian Cup. I've come too far to let myself be defeated. This is my first match as captain, and as the leader, I must find a way to win. I refuse to accept defeat," Kabir asserted fiercely.

With determination burning in his eyes, Kabir's left fist, still wrapped in a bandage due to an unhealed wound, tightened, causing a trickle of blood to escape.

In the 69th minute, Kabir skillfully dribbled past the opposing midfielder, deciding to take a risky approach. Employing his left foot, he lofted the ball into the air, sending it soaring toward the left side of the penalty box. Arifur leaped alongside the defenders, but unfortunately, it was the defenders who managed to make contact, pushing the ball outside the penalty box.

Lady Luck, however, seemed to favor Kabir as he swiftly regained possession of the ball. Determined to take matters into his own hands, he prepared to unleash his individual brilliance.

Zone!

As Kabir made contact with the ball, a surge of energy seemed to crackle around him, invisible to everyone except the readers. His focused gaze narrowed to the size of a needle, locking onto the defenders ahead of him. The intensity of his stare sent shivers down the spines of the defenders, as if they were being observed by a mighty lion eyeing its prey.

With lightning-like speed, Kabir maneuvered the ball, weaving his way into the penalty box. The first defender lunged forward, attempting to block his path with his right leg, but Kabir effortlessly shifted the ball to his right, eluding the defender's grasp. In a seamless display of skill, he executed a stepover move, gracefully flicking his right leg around the ball before smoothly guiding it to the left with his left leg. The entire sequence unfolded in a whirlwind, leaving the defender powerless to stop Kabir's advancement deeper into the penalty box.

Yet, just as Kabir seemed poised to break through, a third defender abruptly planted his leg in front of Kabir's right foot. Caught off guard, Kabir lost his balance and tumbled to the ground, surrendering possession of the ball.

The stadium erupted into gasps and groans as the fans witnessed the near-miss opportunity. The impact of Kabir's electrifying display of skill was palpable, leaving both supporters and opponents in awe.

With a pained expression, Kabir rolled on the pitch, clutching his injured leg. The referee's whistle pierced the air, signaling a foul, and a warning was issued to the defender responsible. The crowd held their breath, their hearts pounding with anticipation, as Bangladesh was awarded a penalty kick.

Slowly rising to his feet, Kabir shook off the discomfort. This minor setback couldn't deter his determination. Nabib, concerned for his teammate, approached Kabir and asked if he was alright. Kabir nodded, his resolve unshaken. "I'll take the penalty," he declared, and his words resonated with the team. No objections were raised, for deep down, they all recognized that scoring in such a high-pressure atmosphere was a daunting task.

As the penalty spot was set, Kabir's mind raced. He focused his thoughts on the upcoming shot, willing himself to convert this opportunity into a goal. In a silent plea, he made a request to the mysterious system within his consciousness. "System, convert all of my accumulated points into attribute points and allocate them to enhance my penalty-taking skills."

The stadium buzzed with anticipation as Kabir stood before the ball, preparing to take the penalty kick. His teammates, coaches, and fans held their breath, hoping for a moment of magic. With unwavering determination and a newfound boost in his penalty stats, Kabir took a deep breath and stepped forward, ready to unleash his skill upon the ball.

[Ding! 26 points have been added to the penalty.]

Empowered by the infusion of attribute points, Kabir could feel a noticeable difference in his abilities. However, he knew that his current tally of 47 penalty points would still be insufficient to guarantee success. Determined to replicate his previous trick, Kabir locked eyes with Nabib, conveying the unspoken plan through a simple nod.

With measured steps, Kabir began his approach, gradually picking up speed as he closed in on the ball. His focus was unyielding, his mind solely fixed on the task at hand—scoring. The ball left his foot with thunderous force, hurtling straight towards the goalkeeper. In that moment, Kabir cared not for the potential injury the goalkeeper might endure; his sole objective was to find the back of the net.

As expected, the goalkeeper managed to block the initial shot. However, the sheer power behind Kabir's strike caused the ball to ricochet off the goalkeeper's face, changing its trajectory. Reacting with lightning speed, Kabir sprinted towards the rebound, his determination unrelenting. With blood trickling from the goalkeeper's nose, a testament to the force behind the shot, Kabir seized the opportunity, launching another strike towards the goal.

Booom!!!!

[Bangladesh scores their first goal.]

As the dust settled from the collision that resulted in the goalkeeper's injury, Kabir's immediate concern was for the fallen player. He rushed to the goalkeeper's side, setting aside his own pursuit of victory to ensure the injured player received proper attention. The compassionate act did not go unnoticed by his teammates, who quickly joined Kabir in offering support and checking on the goalkeeper's well-being. The referee promptly signaled for the medical team, and within minutes, the injured goalkeeper was being carefully carried off the field, leaving a void that would soon be filled by a substitute goalkeeper.

With the game resuming in the 74th minute, the Bangladesh team relentlessly pushed forward, refusing to surrender to the odds stacked against them. Their determination bore fruit in the 81st minute when an opportunity presented itself. Kabir, displaying his skillful vision, delivered a long diagonal pass to Nabib positioned on the right side of the penalty arc. Nabib, in turn, swiftly redirected the ball towards the right flank. Matin, stationed on the right side of the penalty area, skillfully received the pass amidst the watchful eye of a defender. Though unable to find an immediate opening to connect with Nabib, Matin made a calculated decision to send the ball back to Ibrahim, the right midfielder, who positioned himself to the left of Kabir.

Kabir, ever the orchestrator, anticipated the play and positioned himself perfectly to receive the subsequent pass from Ibrahim. Spotting an opening on the left side, Kabir executed a beautifully weighted pass to the waiting left winger near the edge of the penalty area. Arifur, seizing the opportunity, prepared for a long-range strike.

With a resounding impact, Arifur's powerful kick launched the ball high into the air, its trajectory veering slightly toward the right. In a display of synchronized determination, Nabib, Matin, Kabir, and several defenders leaped together, vying for control of the ball. Matin, positioned a few yards right of the penalty mark, connected with the ball using his head, altering its course towards the left side of the net. Joy flickered in the hearts of Nabib, Arifur, Kabir, Matin, and their teammates, believing that their moment of triumph had arrived. However, their elation was swiftly dashed as they witnessed the goalkeeper diving, his reflexes sharp and precise.

In a remarkable display of agility, the goalkeeper swiftly reacted, redirecting the ball's trajectory with his left hand. The ball ricocheted off the left post, sending a collective gasp through the stadium. A frenzy of movement ensued as players, including the goalkeeper, surged toward the ball, driven by the shared desire to regain control.

Yet, amid the chaos, a familiar surge of Crimson lightning flickered around the towering figure of Kabir. In an instant, he burst forward with lightning speed, seizing the ball before anyone else could react. Every fiber of Kabir's being was now dedicated to one objective—to score, regardless of the consequences. Unleashing a ferocious kick, he unleashed the full force of his power, momentarily disregarding the potential harm his strike might inflict upon the goalkeeper or anyone in its path. For Kabir, the singular goal was to find the back of the net, no matter the cost.

As the ball thundered into the net, an explosion of disbelief and astonishment echoed throughout the stadium. All eyes were fixated on the unfolding scene, captivated by the sheer audacity of Kabir's shot. The goalkeeper caught off guard, made a futile attempt to prevent the ball from crossing the goal line but was left grasping at thin air.

Boooom!!!!!

"It's a goal! Bangladesh has just scored their second goal!" the commentator's voice rang out, carrying a glimmer of hope to the hearts of the Bangladeshi supporters. The realization dawned upon them that perhaps, just perhaps, their team could turn the tides of this match. With nine precious minutes remaining, anything was possible.

[ 3 - 2 ]

In the wake of this crucial goal, Kabir swiftly retrieved the ball and set off towards the center line without a moment's hesitation. There were no wild celebrations, no exuberant displays of triumph. The Bangladeshi players understood the urgency of the situation; time was a precious commodity slipping through their fingers. They shared a collective focus, their determination etched on their faces, as they aimed to accomplish more than just scoring two goals. The hunger for victory burned within them, and the Bengal Tigers were resolute in their pursuit of equalizing the score.

Amidst the charged atmosphere, Kabir's second goal provided a glimmer of solace for Yukina. The weight of disappointment and frustration eased ever so slightly as a flicker of hope kindled within her. The Bangladeshi fans, previously resigned to the looming defeat, found a renewed sense of optimism. Kabir, their talismanic leader, possessed the ability to alter the course of the match with his relentless pursuit of victory. The prospect of a third goal, an equalizer, loomed tantalizingly on the horizon, igniting a surge of anticipation in the hearts of the spectators. With each passing second, the outcome of the match hung in delicate balance, and the possibilities seemed infinite.

With only eight minutes remaining, time became a relentless adversary for Bangladesh. The Iraq team, now in the lead, resorted to time-wasting tactics that ignited a flame of frustration within Kabir and his teammates. Each second slipped away like grains of sand through their fingers, intensifying their urgency to turn the tables.

Yet, amidst their mounting frustration, fortune favored the Bengal Tigers as Ahamad managed to wrest the ball from an opponent and swiftly passed it to Kabir, who awaited at the halfway line. The stadium held its breath, eager to witness Kabir's next move. Would he weave his way through the opposition's defense with his impeccable dribbling skills, or would he opt for a precise pass to his teammates?

Kabir's eyes gleamed with determination as he embarked on a dazzling display of ball control, his feet caressing the turf with calculated precision. However, he chose not to unleash his full potential just yet, keen on preserving his stamina for the critical moments that awaited. Kabir, resolute in his strategy, planned to unleash his formidable skills and enter the coveted zone during the final minutes of the game.

As K9 surged past the center circle, he confronted the imposing presence of the opponent's midfielder. His gaze swept across the field, taking in every detail. Arifur and Matin, the eager wingers, positioned themselves strategically, ready to receive Kabir's pass. Meanwhile, Nabib lurked near the penalty area, fiercely marked by two defenders.

"I must push forward and take matters into my own hands," Kabir silently affirmed, the fire of determination burning within him. In a calculated maneuver, he deftly nudged the ball to the right with his left foot, enticing the midfielder to mirror his movement. Anticipating this reaction, Kabir swiftly shifted the ball to the left, leaving the bewildered midfielder in his wake.

With each thunderous stride, Kabir accelerated, leaving the pursuing midfielders trailing in his wake. The wind whispered in admiration as he stormed towards the penalty arc, an unyielding force of determination. A gap materialized before him, a beacon of opportunity. The defenders, too focused on the ball's path to the left winger, failed to anticipate Kabir's masterful play. A smile crept across Kabir's face, for he knew that from this angle, Arifur had an excellent chance to secure their much-coveted third goal.

Matin and Nabib eagerly positioned themselves, their hearts pounding with anticipation. The jubilant celebration already danced on the tip of their tongues. Yet, just as Arifur unleashed his shot, destiny intervened in the form of an unwavering defender. The adversary leaped, intercepting the ball with sheer determination, crushing the dreams of equalization in an instant.

Arifur stood petrified, his mind struggling to grasp the sudden turn of events. Before he could react, the defenders swiftly wrestled the ball away, erasing the fleeting glimmer of hope. Kabir's veins coursed with a raging inferno of anger, his desire to dismantle the barrier that blocked their path burning fiercely within him. Despite the seething frustration, he fought to restrain his emotions, refusing to succumb to a torrent of curses. Slowly, he retreated, his clenched fists a testament to the simmering anger that propelled him forward.

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