Chapter 12 : Impact
Leeds, stunned by the early goal, responded with renewed intensity. Farke, on the sidelines, was shouting instructions, his voice carrying over the field. "Push harder! Keep the pressure on them! Don't let them breathe!"
Leeds' striker, Patrick Bamford, and wingers like Willy Gnonto began testing Luton's defense with crosses and shots. Farke directed his players to focus on the flanks, exploiting any gaps they could find. But Wakabayashi was a wall in goal, pulling off save after save to keep Luton's lead intact.
In the 35th minute, Leeds launched a dangerous attack. Tyler Adams sent a quick pass to Gnonto, who sprinted down the wing and delivered a low cross into the box. Bamford connected with the ball, sending a shot toward the bottom corner, but Wakabayashi reacted quickly, diving to his left and pushing it out for a corner.
"Wakabayashi with another stunning save!" the commentator exclaimed. "Leeds is pressing hard, but Luton's defense is holding strong!"
Farke threw his arms up in frustration. "Come on! We need to break them down! Don't let up!"
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Just before halftime, Luton found another opening. Leeds Concede a throw-in deep in their half. Arhan took his position, gripping the ball with a determined focus, and unleashed one of his signature long throws. The ball sailed over Leeds' midfield, bypassing multiple defenders and landing perfectly at the feet of Barou, who had positioned himself expertly.
Barou wasted no time. With a deft first touch, he controlled the ball and burst forward, leaving the Leeds defense scrambling. He took one glance at the goal and fired a powerful shot that rocketed past Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier and into the top corner.
"GOAL! Barou scores again! That's his second of the match!" the commentator shouted. "And what a throw from Arhan! That throw-in was practically a meteor!" the commentator shouted. "Luton Town leads 2-0, and Barou is on fire today!"
The stadium erupted as Barou celebrated with his teammates, his confidence radiating through the team. Rahmat and Rutter exchanged a nod of satisfaction on the sideline, but they knew Leeds wouldn't give up easily.
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The second half began, and Leeds returned with a renewed sense of urgency. Farke was animated on the sidelines, calling out to his players. "Keep pushing! Don't let them settle! Find the gaps!"
Leeds threw everything forward in search of a goal. Their relentless pressure tested Luton's defense, but Wakabayashi, Arhan, and Hubner were rock solid, repelling every attack with resilience.
In the 60th minute, Leeds came close. Gnonto delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, and Bamford rose to meet it, sending a powerful header toward goal. But Wakabayashi leapt into action, making a spectacular fingertip save to deny Leeds once again.
"What a save! Wakabayashi is keeping Luton in this!" the commentator exclaimed.
Rahmat took a deep breath, signaling for Aoyama to drop slightly deeper to provide more defensive support. Meanwhile, he glanced at Barou, who was lurking upfield, ready for the next counter.
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In the 70th minute, Leeds pushed too many players forward, leaving themselves exposed at the back. Aoyama saw the opportunity and launched a long pass toward Barou, who broke free from his marker. With only Meslier to beat, Barou sprinted forward, faked a shot to the right, and then slotted the ball into the opposite corner, completing his hat-trick.
"GOAL! Barou scores his third! It's a hat-trick for Barou Shoei!" the commentator shouted, barely containing his excitement. "What a performance from this man! This is his first hat-trick in the Premier League!"
The Luton fans went wild as Barou celebrated, raising three fingers to the sky to mark his achievement. Rahmat clapped proudly on the sideline, feeling the immense pride of seeing Barou's incredible performance.
Farke clenched his fists, his frustration evident. "We've been outplayed. Regroup and focus! Don't let them run us over!"
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Leeds, desperate to salvage something from the game, launched a final assault in the last 15 minutes. Bamford, Adams, and Gnonto continued to push, but Luton's defense held firm. Arhan and Hubner closed down every attempt, while Wakabayashi continued to be unbeatable in goal, pulling off one last spectacular save in the 88th minute.
As the final whistle blew, Luton Town secured a stunning 3-0 victory over Leeds United. The players embraced each other,and even Aoyama didn't mind a few high-five, celebrating a memorable win that highlighted their resilience and tactical discipline.
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In the post-match interview, Rahmat praised his team's effort. "This was a massive win for us. Leeds pressed us hard, but we stayed disciplined and took our chances when they came. Barou's hat-trick was phenomenal, and Wakabayashi… well, he was incredible once again."
When it was Barou's turn, his confidence radiated even more intensely under the cameras. A reporter asked him about his hat-trick and what it meant for him.
Barou smirked, his gaze intense. "A hat-trick? That's just the start. I told everyone before I came here—I'm here to be the best. This league doesn't know what's coming. I'm not just here to score; I'm here to dominate. Every defender out there? They're prey, and I'm the king on this pitch. If you think this was impressive, just wait. I'm still hungry."
The reporter looked stunned, and Barou's fierce words echoed in the room. Rahmat chuckled beside him, clearly amused but also proud of his striker's bold ambition.
As they walked off the interview stage, the buzz around Luton Town continued to grow. With Rahmat's leadership, Rutter's tactical insights, Wakabayashi's heroics, and Barou's unbreakable will to dominate, Luton Town was proving to be a formidable force in the Premier League. Each victory added fuel to their underdog story, making their rise all the more thrilling and unstoppable.
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After Luton Town's stunning victory over Leeds United, the local buzz around the club reached a fever pitch. The underdog team had captured not only the attention of football fans across England but also the hearts of the local community. Luton had always been a proud town, and now, with their club defying all expectations in the Premier League, everyone felt an unprecedented sense of pride and unity.
Everywhere Rahmat went in Luton, he was recognized and greeted warmly. People from all walks of life would approach him, congratulating him on the team's performance and thanking him for bringing hope and excitement back to the town. Local businesses even began to offer special discounts in celebration of the team's success, with signs that read, "Show your Luton Town pride—discounts for fans!"
One morning, Rahmat decided to take a walk through the town center, wanting to soak in the atmosphere. He stopped by a local café, one he had passed many times before but never visited. As soon as he entered, the staff and customers recognized him, their faces lighting up.
"Mr Rahmat!" the café owner, a middle-aged woman named Maria, greeted him warmly. "The man of the hour! It's on the house today, whatever you want. You deserve it for all you've done for this town."
Rahmat chuckled, humbled. "Thank you, Ms Maria. I'll just have a coffee, please."
As he sat down, several patrons approached him, some just to shake his hand, others to ask about the next game, and a few with children eager to take a picture. Rahmat was gracious, engaging with each person, genuinely touched by their support.
One elderly gentleman leaned over, his eyes bright with excitement. "I've been following Luton Town my whole life. Never thought I'd see us competing in the Premier League like this. You've made this old man's dream come true, son."
Rahmat felt a surge of pride. "Thank you, sir. We're doing our best. This team… they play for all of you. Every game, we remember what it means to represent Luton."
Across the town, the team's success was inspiring local activities and initiatives. Schools organized Luton Town-themed events, encouraging students to wear the team's colors and learn about teamwork and resilience. The players themselves were becoming role models, particularly for the younger generation who idolized them. Some local artists even began painting murals of the standout players like Barou, Wakabayashi, and Aoyama on the walls of prominent buildings around town, capturing the spirit of the team's resilience.
One afternoon, the local news station, Luton News Today, reached out to Rahmat for an interview. They wanted to cover not only the team's success but also Rahmat's impact on the community and his relationship with the people of Luton.