The end of the match
They lined up with a sense of purpose, no longer weighed down by the confusion and frustration that had marked the first half.
On the other hand, Starlight FC maintained its focus, prepared to defend its lead, and executed Kay's counterattack strategy.
As Kay took his place on the sidelines, something caught his eye. The Red Star manager, who had been so vocal and animated in the first half, was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, sitting in his spot was a different man, someone Kay recognized as one of the figures who had been quietly seated on the bench earlier. The sight puzzled Kay, and he couldn't help but wonder what had happened.
It didn't take long for Kay to piece it together. The new man on the sidelines was most likely the previous manager, the one who had led Red Star before this recent change.
The sudden switch of roles showed that the Red Star manager from the first half had stepped down, perhaps even walked away in the middle of the match.
Kay couldn't blame him, considering the circumstances. With a heavy scoreline of 3-0 against his team, the pressure must have been immense.
Kay thought back to what he knew about the Red Star manager's history. As a player, the man had enjoyed a career filled with success, trophies, and victories.
He was someone who had always been on the winning side, rarely tasting the bitterness of defeat.
But managing a team was a different challenge altogether, and this time, the taste of failure had proven too much for him to bear.
As Kay watched the new man on the sidelines, he realized that Red Star's players were now rallying around this figure, their former manager.
Despite the shift, Kay remained calm. He knew his team was well-prepared, and he trusted their ability to adapt.
Red Star might come out with renewed energy, but Starlight FC had the upper hand, both in score and in strategy.
The referee's whistle pierced the air, announcing the beginning of the second half. As the players settled into their positions, Red Star came out with an intensity that caught everyone's attention.
From the very first pass, it was clear that they were determined to fight their way back into the game.
Their attacks were fast, aggressive, and relentless, a complete contrast to their defensive approach in the first half.
Kay had anticipated this. He knew that Red Star would push hard, trying to salvage something from the match.
That's why he had set up Starlight FC to absorb the pressure and hit back with counter-attacks.
His players were ready, waiting for the right moments to break forward. But even though he expected a strong response from Red Star, the spirit with which they played surprised him. There was a fire in their eyes.
Starlight FC, however, remained disciplined. They absorbed the pressure, staying compact and organized at the back.
When Red Star committed too many players forward, Starlight seized the opportunity to counter-attack, using their speed and precision to exploit the gaps left behind.
The game was a test of patience and resilience, but Starlight FC was well-prepared.
As the minutes ticked by, Starlight added to their lead, with two more goals bringing the score to 5-1.
Kay had made several substitutions, giving other players a chance to experience the match.
Even though Red Star managed to score a consolation goal, it was clear that the game was beyond their reach.
The fight they showed in the second half couldn't erase the deficit from the first.
When the final whistle blew, the match ended with Starlight FC as the clear winner.
Red Star's players trudged off the field, their heads lowered, the weight of the heavy score hanging over them like a cloud.
The spirited comeback they attempted in the second half wasn't enough to change the outcome, and now they had to face the reality of defeat.
Kay, feeling a sense of empathy, made his way to the Red Star bench. He extended his hand to the new manager, offering a few words of consolation.
"Your team played much better in the second half," Kay said, his tone sincere. "They showed a lot of heart out there."
The new manager nodded, appreciating the gesture, though the disappointment was still evident in his eyes.
It had been a tough match for them, and Kay understood how difficult it was to face such a loss.
As Kay turned to leave, he noticed the Red Star captain standing nearby, looking dejected. Kay approached him, respecting the effort he had seen on the field.
"I just wanted to say that I respect the way you and your team played in the second half. You didn't give up, even when things were tough. That shows real character."
The captain looked up, meeting Kay's eyes. There was a moment of silence before he nodded in appreciation. "Thank you, we tried our best."
Then Kay made his way to the field where his players were celebrating their big win.
The atmosphere was electric, with cheers and applause filling the stadium. The Starlight FC fans were ecstatic, their voices rising in unison as they chanted Kay's name.
The players surrounded Kay, patting him on the back and expressing their gratitude for his leadership.
Together, they waved to the fans, acknowledging their support. The crowd's energy was contagious, and for a few minutes, the worries and stresses of coaching melted away, leaving only the thrill of victory.
As the team began to make their way back to the locker room, the celebrations still echoing in the background, Kay noticed a familiar figure standing in the tunnel.
It was Mr. Collins, the club's chairman. His presence was unexpected, but the wide smile on his face made it clear that he was pleased with the day's outcome.
As soon as Kay approached, Mr. Collins stepped forward and wrapped him in a warm hug.
"Kay, you continue to shock me more with time," Mr. Collins said, his voice full of genuine admiration.
"You surpass my expectations match by match. I knew you were talented, but this... this is something special."
Kay, who always passes the credit to the players, simply smiled and replied, "Thank you, Mr. Collins. I'm just doing my best, and the players deserve all the credit."
Mr. Collins gave him a knowing look, appreciating Kay's modesty but fully aware of the impact the young manager was having on the team.
With that, Kay and the players headed into the locker room to change their clothes and freshen up.
The mood inside was relaxed and joyous, the players chatting and laughing as they unwound from the match.
After everyone had showered and changed, Mr. Collins reappeared in the locker room.
"Alright, everyone, I've arranged a special lunch to celebrate this great victory. Let's continue the celebration with some good food!"
The players cheered at the news, and began shouting, "Chairman! Chairman"
The lunch was set up in a nearby restaurant, where a large table was reserved just for the team.
As they sat down, the atmosphere was lively and filled with laughter, the perfect setting for a victory celebration.
During the meal, Mr. Collins couldn't resist making a joke. He turned to Kay with a playful grin and said, "Kay, I recruited you to win matches, not to humiliate opponents!"
The comment drew laughs from everyone at the table, including Coach Daniels, who chuckled and added, "You're making the rest of us look bad, Kay!"
As the lunch went on, the players continued talking and laughing, sharing stories from the match and joking with each other.
As time passed, Kay began to feel a sense of boredom creeping in. He knew that these events were important for team solidarity, helping to build the bonds that would carry them through tougher times.
But right now, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was wasting time. His mind was already drifting back to thoughts of the next match, the next training session, the next challenge.
As the event was winding down, Coach Daniels' phone buzzed with a notification.
The sound was subtle, but in the quiet moment, it caught Kay's attention. He glanced over at Daniels, noticing a slight shift in his expression as he read the message.
It wasn't anything dramatic, just a small change, but it was enough to make Kay and Mr. Collins both pause and watch him more closely.
Daniels finished reading the message, then raised his head, meeting the two pairs of eyes that were now focused on him. For a moment, he seemed to weigh his words, and then he spoke, his voice steady but with a hint of something serious behind it.
"Our next opponent is determined,"
See you in the next chapter...