4 Chapter 3

He heard an exclamation from behind him but ignored it as he trapped the ball and dashed forward, dribbling through the middle of the pitch with his head up, swivelling.

He could hear the players behind him shouting for cover. A defender tried to poke the ball from his left, but Akin used a Maradonna turn and slipped past him into open space.

Controlling the ball, he ran forward; a defender rushed to cut his path to the box, so he quickly passed to Gordon, who had caught up with him.

Gordon was free as the defender that blocked Akin had released him; seeing this, Gordon stopped the ball and then kicked with the inside of his foot.

The keeper dove to push the ball out; it hit the post and rolled, bouncing back in play while the keeper hit the ground.

Akin rushed to pick up the loose ball and dashed forward, showing his explosiveness and reaction speed; the ball was shot straight without stopping.

The keeper and the defenders had yet to recover; they could only watch helplessly as the ball crossed the goal line into the net.

Each yellow team defence line member groaned; the keeper looked at his defenders with accusing eyes as he made his way back to the centre of the goal.

Meanwhile, the red team let out a cheer; Gordon ran up to Akin along with Kanu and O'Sullivan. They all began patting his head, slapping his back.

Akin was much less excited and noticed the interaction between the yellow team's defence and the goalkeeper.

His mind began calculating, thinking of a way to cause the defensive line to crumble. His cunning thoughts contrast with his seemingly innocent smile.

Meanwhile, Liam and Brian were watching the game were commenting on Akin; Allen was quite impressed.

"Your little monster has impressive speed and explosiveness; he also seems to have a good touch. He doesn't stick to the ball, dribbles with his head up, and has an unusual reaction."

Liam also nodded, his appreciation as he sported a small smile, his eye on Akin, who was walking to his position on the Red half of the pitch.

"The kid has good spatial awareness, he also seems quite flexible, and his shot choice and power reminds me a bit of Thierry."

Hearing this made Brian chuckle, his expression at ease as he watched the yellow team kick off.

"I have been watching this kid since he first came to our summer camp; it seems that he is always surprising me."

Liam glanced at him before humming. He seemed to be considering it before he sighed and shook his head.

"Let's decide after seeing how he plays; besides, we also have to pay attention to the other trailers here. We can't only pay attention to your golden boy."

On the pitch, Sam Kanu intercepted a pass in the Red team's midfield, passing forward to Akin, who controlled the ball near the halfway line.

The opposing midfielder ran after him, while a defender tried to pressure him instead of passing immediately like before.

Akin instead ran forward to meet the defender; as he got close, he pushed the ball from his left foot to his right, shifting his body to his right as he made it forward with his right foot.

Passing the defender with La croqueta a favourite used by future Barcelona Star Xavi.

After passing him, he saw two more defenders rushing for him; Gordon once again was open and near the edge of the box.

Akin used the inside of his foot to pass a through ball; Gordon rushed into the box and shot a standard shot with his laces; the ball hit the goal, but the keeper was unable to react.

Micheal took off running to Akin while the red team was shouting and celebrating.

Micheal rubbed his younger forward into the ground as he, Kanu, and O'Sullivan jumped on him.

The yellow team's keeper was shouting at his defenders now, his pug face red.

"STOP LEAVING HIM OPEN!"

The yellow team defenders looked contrite as he scolded them.

Akin noticed this and smiled to himself.

The three coaches in the stand were clapping, impressed.

Brian was grinning at his protege's play, pride shining in his eyes. At the same time, Liam was also impressed watching the red team celebrate.

"That was a beautiful play; he didn't pass quickly to avoid confrontation but made a beautiful run, creating a great opportunity for his teammates; Gordon also took the shot well. But Akin was the centrepiece."

Allan nodded as he watched the boys gather back in their halves.

"He also showcased his flexibility avoiding getting physical with the older and stronger defenders as he dribbled just now; it seemed simple but also quite pleasing."

Akin received a pass and noticed that he had two midfielders looking to pincer him; he kicked the ball forward fast, exploding before they could pressure him; a defender came forward, and Gordon was being marked tightly.

But Akin was not all that pressured.

After touching the ball forward with his right foot, he then went on to quickly step over with his right foot before passing the defender soon on the left.

There were exclamations and jeers as they recognised the touch step over, a well-known technique by Brazilian striker, Ronaldihnio, the scissors.

With no defenders near him, the route to the goal was open, so Akin accelerated into the penalty box; the goalkeeper bounced on his toes as Akin approached.

Akin dropped his shoulder to his left before using his inside right foot to shoot. The ball glided across the ground into the bottom right as the keeper dove left.

The keeper was pounding the grass as Akin ran back after shrugging to the sidelines at how simple the goal was.

It had already been 40 minutes, so the official blew the whistle to end the half.

Liam, Brian and Allen were seriously discussing the last play made by Akin; Liam could barely hide his excitement at his previous run.

"That last play was amazing; Brian, this boy is a real talent; I don't know what impressed me more. He was practically dancing around the defenders, but he managed to keep a level head and finish calmly"

Brian nodded as his eyes bright as he stared at Akin, chatting with his teammates.

"Akin has always played a mature game; he doesn't look like the youngest player on the pitch but rather is almost like he spent a lot of time in the league; it has always struck me as weird."

Liam laughed before letting out a sigh.

"We can never understand how the mind of a genius works. You can clearly see such a mature skillset from such a young player; as long as he is raised properly, he can become an important piece for our club's future."

Allan turned to Liam, his eyes solemn.

"I think we should get him signed and tell the gaffer to keep an eye on him, we don't really need to see anything else, and with his age, he shouldn't be used to playing for so long; we need to be careful."

Matt was preparing to enter the second half on the pitch but was stopped by the official.

"Red no.9, you are being substituted, you played well today, but now the coach wants to see you and your guardian."

Akin was unsure what to make of this situation; he had never heard of anything like this happening in the past.

He walked over to his mother; his worry must have shown on his face as she pulled him into a comforting hug.

"Don't worry too much, baby; you were amazing today. If they don't choose you, that is their loss."

The two walked over to Brian, who was smiling at Akin. As he reached them, Brian and Akin both bumped fists.

"Good job today, Akin; the boss was impressed; hello Alicia, how are you?"

Brian and Alicia have a good relationship due to Akin; the age gap between them is 10 years, so Alicia has no particular feelings but appreciates the care he shows her son. Hence, she always has a polite smile.

"Hi Brian, what exactly is happening? I think having to stop the game has him worried."

Brian looked down at the quiet young man and chuckled, patting him hard enough to cause Akin to stumble.

"Don't worry too much. Rather than worrying, I think you should be busy, your gonna need to find a good Agent."

The trio walked into the Academy director's office, where they saw Liam along with Allen as well as a woman who looked to be a few years older than Alicia.

Liam turned to the door and smiled brightly.

"Akin! Why don't you and your Mum come in first? We have a lot to talk about."

As the group walked in and the door closed behind him.

Akin wasn't sure what the future would hold but he was sure that this was the beginning.