14 Team X vs Team V II
Reo and Zantetsu started the game once more.
After that, Nagi, who was advancing toward the goal, received a cross from Reo.
"This is getting too old!" Murano yelled as he intercepted the ball with a header and cleared it away.
Nagi tried to trap it but was beaten to it by Murano's header.
Murano and Daido then exchanged passes as he quickly moved up the field.
He didn't have to worry about completing the system's daily tasks now that he had finally assisted Barou. He planned on going solo.
As he skillfully passed Reo, Zantetsu, and a few other players using a combination of stepovers, quick dribbles, and a nutmeg, Murano then effectively dominated the midfield.
Mid-sprint, Murano kept the ball under control while maintaining speed. He kept running like a cheetah toward Team X's defensive line without stopping for even a single second. He raced across the middle third of the field in just a few seconds due to his extraordinary pace. They were in awe as he effortlessly maneuvered through the defenders due to his unmatched speed and agility.
The goalkeeper dove in vain but was unable to reach the ball as he fired a chip shot into the box. The ball sailed into the net, putting Team X in the lead.
Team V 1 - 2 Team X
"Nice! I will do the same." Reo kicked off and charged in, determined to take the lead.
Even when the defender's wall was placed in front of him, Reo maintained his composure. Instead, as he walked slowly toward the box, he began flicking the ball from his right to his left foot.
As he entered the box, he unleashed a powerful shot towards the goal.
Murano popped up into the box once more, clearing it with a powerful header.
The opposing team was given a throw-in after the ball sailed out of bounds. They quickly retrieved the ball and prepared to take the throw-in.
Zantetsu launched a long throw-in toward Reo.
Reo then positioned himself in the box, ready to receive the ball and score a goal.
Murano, who saw this, intercepted the throw-in, clearing the ball out of danger.
The ball went out again, this time on a corner kick against Team X, signaling a potential scoring opportunity for the opposing team.
Murano then took 1x Mental pill to prepare himself for the set piece.
He was aware that successfully blocking the corner kick would require concentration and quick thinking. Murano took up a strategic position in the penalty area as the opposing team prepared to take the kick, ready to counter any potential threats.
It was Reo who was taking the corner kick. Murano foresaw the possibility of a cross for Nagi and prepared to block Nagi's shot. As the ball was sent flying toward the goal, Murano leaped into action.
He extended his body, intently concentrating on blocking Nagi's impending shot. Nagi unexpectedly chose not to shoot and instead kicked the ball back outside the penalty area.
"Not again," Reo yelled from the corner post.
Murano was caught off guard by Nagi's arbitrary actions.
Zantetsu, who had scored in a similar circumstance during their first game, altered his trajectory, dashed in the direction of the ball, and put it into the goal. His ability to change directions while running was his most potent weapon.
Team V 2 - 2 Team X
Kick Off!!!
...
...
The game had reached a critical point, and both teams were determined to give it their all.
Barou began to feel hollow as the game's main character kept changing.
He couldn't help but wonder if his role in the game was becoming less important.
Unable to steal the show, he made the decision to score alone.
As soon as play resumed, Barou quickly dribbled past Nagi and Reo and fired a long shot toward the goal of the opposing team.
'Shit!!'
The ball missed by a wide margin and went out of bounds. Barou became more frustrated that he was unable to yield a result.
Team V then started the counter-attack as they crossed the ball to Zantetsu, who was positioned at midfield.
Zantetsu then flicked the ball to Nagi, who'd long run into space and opened himself up to receive a pass in the left wing.
Nagi didn't disappoint at all. He caught Zantetsu's pinpoint pass, cut into the pitch, and charged the defensive line diagonally like the wind. In just a few seconds, he had two of the defenders under his control.
He then passed the ball back to Zantetsu, who was running to the right, and he immediately released a shot.
PA!
The ball went into the gloves of the goalkeeper.
It was probably the first save ever made in the tournament by Team X's goalkeeper.
Murano was already running down the field got the ball from the goalkeeper and swiftly crossed it to the left flank, where Ruto Kora was approaching instead of crossing to Barou on the right flank.
Barou was furious at Murano for crossing it to Kora instead of him. He then demanded Kora for the ball to which he refused.
"You damn peasant! How dare you!" Barou yelled angrily at Kora as he went towards Kora to steal the ball.
This unexpectedly caught Zantetsu off guard because he anticipated Barou would receive a cross upfield. They were forced to change their direction to Kora because he was a few meters wide. To reclaim the ball, Barou and Zantetsu both sprinted toward Kora.
Kora, however, was knocked to the ground after Zantetsu caught up and slide-tackled him. Zantetsu collided with Barou as Kora fell to the ground, and they were all now on the ground. Zantetsu made a clean tackle, so there was no foul.
Reo swooped on the chance as soon as it presented itself and... sent a quick pass to his Kanji, who then sent a long pass to Nagi, who was now unmarked and prepared to make a play on goal.
Murano immediately drew closer to Nagi in an effort to snag the ball and stall the attack. He angled his body to force him toward the touchline and, in so doing, prevent the Nagi from shooting.
But Nagi controlled it skillfully with an outstretched foot and took a single glance at the other end of the pitch. With ease, Nagi placed the ball into the back of the net, putting Team V in the lead.
...
..
Team V 3 - 2 Team X
"Let's go for a win, one more goal!" Reo shouted, joining the other players as he raised his finger.
The game wasn't over yet.
There were still 5 minutes left to be played, and they were determined to hold onto their lead.
Kick Off!!
...
..
Without wasting any time, Murano ran ahead while once again ignoring Barou. In an effort to get around Nagi, he flicked the ball in his direction. It required meticulous body language analysis and foresight into the opponent's next move.
With a fierce desire to defeat Murano, Zantetsu caught up to him. Murano, on the other hand, remained cool and collected and was prepared to demonstrate his abilities.
Murano then consumed 1x agility elixir that allowed him to sprint quickly and surpass Zantetsu.
Murano flicked the ball quickly between his feet while keeping an eye on the feet of the two defenders as he moved toward the defensive line. Finally, a defender extended a leg in an attempt to make a tackle on the ball.
Zantetsu caught up again with his explosive speed and tackled Murano, which resulted in a foul, but no cards were given.
Despite the foul, Zantetsu was satisfied with his performance.
Murano and Barou argued over who should take the free kick. Anri interrupted them when the speaker announced that they had just a single minute left.
Eventually, Murano was the one taking the free kick.
With a deep inhale and exhale, Murano positioned himself behind the ball. He remained calm and collected even as there were 30 seconds left on the clock. The pressure was mounting, but Murano's focus never wavered.
He focused his gaze on the goal, visualizing the perfect trajectory for the ball. As Anri blew the whistle, Murano unleashed a powerful strike, sending the ball flying toward the net.
PA!!
....
...
The ball sailed through the air with incredible speed and precision, narrowly missing the outstretched hands of the goalkeeper and into the box.
...
..
.
Goal!
Team V 3 - 3 Team X
Pip!
Pip!!
Piiiiip!!!
The game ended in a draw with both teams having scored an equal number of goals. There was still one more match to play. The league's first place was still at stake.
End of Match
Score: Team V vs. Team X (3-3) [Draw]
Fifth Stratum
Game 3
Winner: None
Match Day 3 Status.
Team V vs. Team X (3-3) [Draw]
Team W vs. Team Y (1-1) [Draw]
Rank_Team__Points_Goal Diff._Matches
1_____V_____7_____+12______3
2_____X_____ 7_____+9____3
3_____Z_____6_____-2______3
4_____W_____1_____-9______4
5_____Y_____1 _____-9_______3
