A Tense Moment

Zachary felt anxiety flooding his system as he watched Lars trudge listlessly off the pitch. His heart pounded like it was trying to escape his body when he saw Timo Werner stepping up to take the penalty. The striker had always been clinical in his previous life. There was very little chance he would miss a spot-kick.

As he silently watched the proceedings, he felt beads of sweat trickle down his brow. His throat thickened. He couldn't complain or argue with the referee over the decision, even though he had a sound argument.

He believed the handball had been a ball-to-hand event, but there was nothing he could. The referee had already pointed to the penalty spot. He could only hope Kendrick would pull off a miracle and stop the penalty.

Zachary had never been a religious person. But at that moment, he recited a silent prayer to the Almighty (if there was one) to help NF Academy survive the penalty.