First start

23 September 2023

Bosuil stadium

ANTWERP VS. RWDM

The sky was like a black veil cloaking the sky. The lights of the stadiums were like gems as they shone in the stadium. The bright light filled the thick darkness of the vicinity. Rushing through his veins like turbulent water crashing through a narrow stream, was a cacophonous exhilaration. He cast a nervous glance at his gloved hands, as he struggled to embrace the strange feeling in his chest. He clenched and unclenched his fists, before taking in a heavy breath.

Isaac Adams was finally having the first start of his football career.

Soon, it was time. He followed the line of players out of the tunnel before they lined up on the field. Thoughts rushed through Isaac's mind, as he searched for some way of settling the stormy seas in his mind. How? How? How?

Maybe he didn't have to. Maybe all he had to do, was go with the flow. You couldn't control the turbulent waves of the sea, you just had to learn how to sail through the seas. You just had to steer yourself in the right direction as you were carried by the waves. That was what all fear was. If he had no fear, he was like a boat in a desert.

Use the fear. Adventure the seas. Sail to the horizon!

Soon, it was time.

FWEE!

Isaac began to sprint forward, ready to spill blood. The red stripes on him made him look like a warrior ready to go to war. Isaac began to jog toward the opposition, and he was ready to press.

Collectively, Antwerp were moving as a unit as if they were an army of ants. RWD Molenbeek tried to overcome the press and progress the ball forward to create a chance. It was like a game of chess, how every run and pass was intentional and well coordinated. However, even in a game of chess... a single mistake...

...it leads to capture.

Thuk!

Isaac slid in the way of a misplaced pass, blocking it. As soon as he did, he jolted upward and immediately dug his foot under the ball, curling it over the defense. Anthony Valencia used his chest to control the ball before he sped forward.

Isaac too began running, as he cast glances around him. He was currently in an attacking midfield position so he had to think about creating too. However, he was also trying to be aware of the gaps and spaces in the defense.

A look back at the winger.

He had slowed down, and before him was a defender.

He raised his foot over the ball as he tried to wrong-foot the opponent, before trying to break through his right. The defender, however, was alert. He used his right hand to unbalance Valencia before his left leg knocked the ball away. Valencia went to the ground, and the defender chased after the loose ball. He swung his leg and cleared the ball.

Luckily, possession returned to Antwerp. They began to pass the ball around, trying to create a chance. Isaac moved around, trying to lose his markers. Time ticked.

One by one, chances appeared but they were thwarted by the opposition. Then RWD Molenbeek also got their chances, but the chances were easily suppressed. In the 17th minute, something changed.

The defender smashed a long pass to the left wing, to the feet of their team's left-winger. He dribbled the ball toward the defender, before stopping. He passed it to the right, into the midfield.

Isaac received the ball, before casting glances around the field. The team's midfielder approached from behind.

Isaac prepared himself. He placed his right foot on the ball. He rolled it behind his left leg.

Isaac twisted around and used the outside of his foot to push the ball past the player. The player reacted, but it was far too late. Isaac was free.

Into the space, and through the sky! He was an eagle soaring high and proud through the skies. He went on and on, like a a wolf sniffing out prey.

A single defender came out to meet him.

The opposition played in a 3-4-3 formation, so drawing out a single defender had its effects. On a field of play, players filled space. The one who best understood and manipulated the space always came out on top. In short, the building blocks of football was space. It lay behind ever formation and tactic, and all managers tried to manipulate it.

Isaac understood this.

The defender's movement had just created myriads of space, so he would not allow the opportunity to pass by. He would prevail.

Isaac dug his foot under the ball and lobbed it over the oncoming defender. Behind the defender, lurked Vincent Janssen. The Antwerp striker received the ball on his chest as he ran while holding off a single defender. The player went forward, waiting for the chance to score a goal. Finally, he shot.

(Hehe)

The keeper tried his best, but the ball was an unstoppable bullet. It sped pas the helpless keeper, and nestled in the back of the net. Isaac sprinted toward the striker, who ran to the corner to celebrate. After celebrating, they returned to their half, and the game started.

Understandably so... RWD Molenbeek were desperate. Like a swarm of bees, they attacked the Antwerp defenders. Shot after shot came, but Antwerp were resilient. Their defensive duo of Aldeweireld worked hard to ward of the attacks, and they were successful.

There was no more goals until halftime. In the dressing room, Isaac drank some water and listened to the coach's talk. Then, he followed his team out of the room, ready for round 2.

Soon, the game began.

Isaac immediately began to put up an amazing performance.

Thuk!

He would receive the ball. Look left, and right, before sending a beautiful through pass.

Despite his brilliance, nothing came out of it. It dragged on, and on, until a chance appeared. No, this time it wasn't a pass. It was a chance for a goal.

Isaac found himself running with a horde of players, anticipating a cross. 

He however, slowed down.

As he did, he found loads of space on the outside of the box. He immediately raised his hand.

Jelle Bataille, the leftback, did not waste a second.

Boom!

A cross was sent in.

Isaac waited, and watched the ball. He timed his kick.

Isaac jumped in the air, and swung his leg.

Boom!

Volley!

The ball shot at the goal. The keeper dived, reaching for the ball. It was futile.

Like a baby in its mothers arms, the ball nestled in the back of the net.

It was a strange, yet great feeling, the feeling of scoring. That is what Isaac discovered. He sped to the corner, and bellowed into the air. He stopped right before the corner flag, and raised a single fist high in the air. He stayed unmoving, as his teammates crowded around him.

Isaac the brilliant!

Isaac the amazing!

He was truly these things.

Soon, the celebrations ended. Isaac was subbed out, though he wasn't upset. He was tired, and he had done much. He needed rest.

The game thereafter dragged on, until it ended 2-0.

Antwerp had beaten RWD Molenbeek.

Isaac had won in his first start of the season.