Chapter 11: what a Captain Does.

The teams began walking out of their lockerooms into the field as Shu blocked Mark before they could enter the field.

"Good luck fellow Star, hope I don't dim your light too much. It would be a shame if nobody, but I could see your light." Shu said before running off as Mark smirked before putting on his captain's armband and walking out onto the field.

Second Half- begins.

"The second half has begun and it seems to be a retelling of the first half. Shanghai Red Dragons the dominant side whilst a seemingly defeated Supa Strikas continues to slump behind. 2-0 is the scoreline and by the looks of it, it is just going to get worse for the men in red." One of the commentators said, as the teams began passing the ball around with the match on. The Red Dragons continued to attack with a fury as Shu seemingly controlled the match on its own, making key passes and advancing forward with the ball, not to mention the skill and co-ordination of his teammates, all working together to render the Strikas' defense utterly useless. Shu once again managed to worm his way into the goalkeeper's box before letting of a powerful shot to the top left corner, seemingly having beaten the goalkeeper before a red shoe with black highlights stopped the ball midair. Mark was there performing and overhead kick to put the ball out for a corner and make a powerful save.

"OH my GOOOOOOOD. WHAT AN OVERHEAD KICK BY Mark Philips to save that ball!" The commentators screamed.

"Shu! You are not winning this match." Mark said, with a deranged look on his face.

"We shall see, fellow Star." Shu said as he ran towards the corner to take the corner kick.

On the bench.

"Your kid North, he is a good captain." Spenza said, watching the match.

"Nah, he is just a stuck-up brat who believes in others more than himself. A textbook key player." North replied, putting on his shades.

"Klaus I no longer think we are going to lose this game. The best player in the world just decided to show up early." Spenza said, looking at the bench.

"Well, it's about time." Klaus responded.

"Bradley Adams, Theo Von Neek and Luvuyo Memela. Start jogging. You are coming on for those three dim witts up front." Spenza said, as the three players began undressing their jackets and jogging down the field.

The corner got taken before a huge jump by Scelo punched the ball out and put it at Mark's feet.

"Counter! Quickly!" Mark screamed as Supa Strikas ran down the field leaving most Of The red Dragon players be‐hind. Mark quickly passed the ball to Andile who ran down the field before passing it back to Mark who passed it to Zuko who quickly passed it back before long they were right in front of goal, but Shu soon stood in front of Mark. "Fellow star. I must say you are overperforming today. But i am your end, what is our move now?" Shu said, marking Mark.

"Jump!" Mark said, using some skill to throw the ball over Shu before catching it with his right leg and making a powerful shot at goal that veered into the left corner. Mark then raced into the net to take the ball and run with it to‐wards the centre.

"GOAAAAAAAAAAallllll! That Is what a Captain Does. Mark Philips steps up to score a beautiful goal that gives Supa Strikas hope. What a beauty. 2-1 is the scoreline with 40 minutes left to play." The commentator said as the numbers of Mateo (99), Zuko (47) and Andile (44) were shown on the board in red before the numbers of Bradley (21) Theo (18) and Luvuyo (17) were shown on the scoreboard in green. They players all shook hands as Mateo, Zuko and Andile sat on the bench sulking whilst Spenza gave a piece of paper to Theo.

"Don't read it. Give it to Mark." Spenza said as Theo ran to Mark who just took the paper and read it.

"You know what to do!" Is all the note said. Mark just folded the paper before chewing it.

"So, you have to score now kid." Mark said, talking to Theo who was 34 years Old.

"Stop calling me kid, I'm wayy older than you man." Theo responded as the two waited for kick off. "Then prove it, old geyser." Mark said as the referee hit the whistle for the red Dragons to kick off.

The red Dragons once again kicked off the match. Running with the ball towards the Supa Strikas goal. Passing at a fast pace and not giving Supa Strikas a chance to breathe before getting to the penalty area where one of the Defenders performed an incredible Sliding tackle to get the ball out for a corner.

"Nice work, Tebogo." Mark said, as they all began to prepare for a corner, Shu shot the corner into the penalty area as Jack, one of the Super Strikas center backs managed to jump the highest, heading the ball out for a throw in. "Mark it Ryan! Jack said as the Red Dragons prepared for the throw in as the young Ryan Davids ran to mark the Red Dragon players at throw in. He managed to disposes them before running down the left flank with tremendous speed as the rest of the team all ran down the field, counter attacking towards the Red Dragons goal, Ryan got near the left corner flag before being marked by one of the Red Dragons players, he quickly managed to beat him before crossing the ball into the penalty area where Theo went for a header but the ball was caught by the goalkeeper.

"Shit!" Ryan said, kicking the grass before Mark brushed him on the head and smiled.

"Nice one kid, that was a great cross. Keep playing like that ok!" Mark said running back to their side of the field as Ryan did the same.

The match continued to be like that for the most of the second half, with The Red Dragons Attacking, getting foiled then getting a counterattack by Supa Strikas, this was all until the 80th minute.

Mark got the ball after an incredible tackle by Jack, before passing it to Theo who passed it back and then to Bradley Adams who managed to run with it down the left Flank before passing it to Luvuyo who passed it back to Mark who decided to take a shot but a judge sliding tackle by Shu came in.

"That ball is mine!" Shu said, sliding towards Mark who quickly passed the ball to Theo who took the shot himself, scoring the equalizer.

However, as Theo was about to celebrate a huge scream by a fallen Mark was heard, he was in pain, having been tackled badly by Shu who was given a yellow card for that foul.

"You idiot it's just a friendly" Theo said, running towards Shu looking for a fight as the other players stopped him.

Medics quickly ran in as Mark stood on his feet.

"Are you ok, can you finish the match?" One of the medics said, inspecting Mark's foot.

"I'll finish the match, just spray it and wrap it up." Mark said as the medic did as Mark said.

Mark was soon done, and the match restarted with both teams even it was a very tense final ten minutes. Both teams attacked with all their might striking shots and responding in kind with no one getting that final goal. Soon the match ended with both teams visibly tired and Mark walking of limping as the players began switching shirts. "Fellow star, I concede. We may have finished on even ground today, but it was my defeat." Shu said, as he took off his jersey handing it to Mark who also took of his.

"You probably should apologize for the nasty injury you gave me. I'll win when we meet again. Do not worry." Mark said as they switched Jerseys and walked down towards the lockerooms