hapter 19: pre-season finale, A fluid team emerges

A couple days later.

Strikaland- Matchday.

Supa Strikas lockeroom.

"OK boys. I think our preparation for this one is quite great. I expect nothing but a win today. Brazil's Atletic Da Gama is pretty strong but we can beat them. Just watch out for their star strike, Endrinho. He was the South American Conference's top scorer last season and is joining Super league No.2 team Royal Madrid next season, so he is pretty dangerous. Also, Scelo is pretty injured and has decided to retire, he will however join our coaching team as the goalkeeper coach gig is available. Dame you will start in between the sticks. OK boys let's go out there and give the fans a show." Spenza said, as everyone clapped hands before walking out towards the field.

In this game, Theo Wore the Captain's armband, dropping to the no.10 (CAM) position whilst Mateo, Zuko and Andile occupied the front three.

The match began with a fast pace. Supa strikas kicked off before launching a fast paced attack down the wings, with Zuko, Andile, Mateo and Theo working in perfect unison as they charged past the opposition defenders towards the opposition goal, Zuko immediately crossed the ball to Mateo who struck it really hard with his head, making it fly out into the stands.

"Ohh, and the Barka Brat misses a clear goal. Gotta be the Barka DNA acting up again." Endrinho, a young, dark skinned boy with flat top hair said, laughing.

"OH, seems like a piece of Madrid scum is talking about me. Didn't realize sh#t could speak." Mateo said, Walking past Endrinho who immediately snapped, grabbing Mateo by the clothes and pulling him close, as if to fight him.

"What you gonna do, madrista scum? Punch me if you wanna!" Mateo said, laughing.

"I'm gonna mess that face up so much they are gonna start calling you the broken Barka Brat." Endirnho said as everyone joined in, with others tying to separate them whilst others joined in, arguing with others. Soon the referee hit the whistle, separating everyone before giving a yellow card to both Mateo and Endrinho.

"How do you get a yellow card in the first minute. How?" Spenza said, seemingly having a meltdown.

"Really coach? Both are Latin American brats, it's in their culture. Not to say the rivalry between their clubs Barka and Royal Madrid and their home countries Argentina and Brazil. These two were born to hate each other. Water and oil don't mix, even on the same pitch." Arthur said, standing next to Spenza whilst wearing a training kit.

"Sit down or your current job as a seat warmer will be given to a more qualified player." Spenza said, seemingly angry. As Arthur quickly sat down whilst the rest of the bench laughed at him.

On the pitch.

The match continued to play on with both teams very aggressive against each other. Each time Mateo or Zuko got into the opposition box, they were immediately tackled and dispossessed, the same thing happened with Endrinho on the other half. A lot of yellow cards were given, with both teams seemingly in the fight of their lives.

"These guys aren't bulging. South American football is on a different level. These guys can fight." Mateo said to Zuko as they ran to the Middlefield.

"I get yah. Andile seems to be the only one they haven't touched at all. That dummy seemingly can't lose the ball." Zuko said as Andile jogged towards them.

"Yeah. I also noticed. His ball handling is off the charts." Matoe said as Andile stood next to them.

"Anyone have any ideas on how we can break through. I keep beating them one on one but I can't seem to get a good pass to you guys." Andile said, crouching down.

"I got one, let's switch positions, me and Zuko will get you the ball. Just smash it in." Mateo said as the referee hit the whistle for Atletico Da Gama's goalkeeper to restart the game.

"5 minutes to half time. Let's do this." Zuko shouted as all three rushed to their positions as the game restarted with Mateo and Andile changing positions.

The ball was quickly dispossessed by Ryan who quickly passed the ball to Zuko who raced down the flank, hitting Da Gama on the counter. Zuko crossed the ball to Mateo who was immediately marked by two Defenders.

"Just quit already, we have you beat. Your ball can't get past us." One of the Defenders said, laughing as Mateo stood on the ball.

"I don't need to pass the ball to get past you. I will charge past you with the ball at my feet." Mateo said, as he began dribbling the ball towards the two defenders, pushing them out of his way and somehow passing the ball to Andile who just dipped the ball over the goalkeeper to score the first goal of the match as everyone went to celebrate at the corner.

"This match seems to be giving me energy. Guess it's time to put in some effort." Endrinho said to one of his teammates, laughing...

The match restarted almost immediately, with Atletico racing upfront led by Endrinho, getting past the Supa Strikas Middlefield with ease before standing face to face with a clustered defence. Endrinho quickly passes the ball into space, as another one of his teammates catches it, and passes into the box where Endrinho has run into. Endrinho let's off a powerful shot, that is blocked by Dame Who punches it out for a corner kick.

"Mateo, come back and mark Endrinho, we need you in the air." Dame shouted as everyone prepared for the corner. Mateo ran and stood infront of Endrinho, closely marking him.

"Barka Brat thinks he can mark me. Do try braindead dummy."Endrinho said as the corner was taken, the ball accelerated high in the air towards where Mateo and Endrinho stood, as everyone looked on, it was clearly about to be an aerial battle between the two. Endrinho quickly turned around and performed a bicycle kick as Mateo jumped high to head the ball away with his head. Both met with the ball at the same time, in the air, Mateo's head connected to the ball connected to Endrinho's right foot, as a huge impact occurred. In the end, Mateo stood above Endrick as the ball veered towards the center of the field. Here, Mateo had won.

"Cry more. Madrid scum." Nateo said, jogging towards the centre as Supa Strikas began a deadly counter attack.

Suap strikas quickly countered, with Andile racing with the ball across the field as Mateo and Zuko raced alongside him. A three-on-one assault of the goalkeeper who had been left alone with no defenders to back him up. As soon as the entered the 18-yard area, there was only one conclusion. Andile chipped the goalkeeper to pass to Zuko who passed the ball back to Mateo before he(Mateo) fired a powerful shot that nearly shattered the net. As all three ran to the corner to celebrate. The match had ended in a win for Supa Strikas.

But a new rivalry had been born. Mateo may have won the first battle against Endrinho, but they had both just declared war on each other. This rivalry would shatter football as we knew it.