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However, he noticed the fingertips of the keeper brushing the ball and shoving it a little higher off its intended path. His heart leaped into his throat as he regretted not going for a carpet shot instead of a looped ball.

Fortunately for him the ball hit the crossbar and narrowly entered the goal. Despite the effort deployed by the goalkeeper, he could not do anything.

Finally, the Ajax team had managed to score in the 82nd minute.

The cheers erupted like an auditory volcano in the Stadium.

It was all quiet one second and then deafening after Sneijder scored the goal.

Anastasiou ran up to Sneijder, pulled him in a hug, and said

"That was a hell of a sprint."

The other Ajax players came jumping on them and embracing them to celebrate the goal. During the last minutes, players from both teams made substitutions and also tried to score goals, but it was unsuccessful. So the match ended with a score of 1-0.

We are already in the month of May. Unlike other leagues, the Eredivisie league ends in May, and there are only 3 games left for the league to end. After the game, Ravier still maintained his routine of waking up early in the morning, heading to the gym at six o'clock, and attending restorative training in the afternoon. Everyone knows that the final victory belongs to Ajax this year. But the coach always tells us to stay focused until the end. In the following weeks, we played a math con Breda which ended with a score of 2-0 and another against Zwolle which we annihilated 5-0. The players gave themselves to their heart's content in this match since they won the cup and the following days they will not have to train, the holidays begin. But before that they have the last game they have to play against Willem II. This team had a very bad season and is about to be relegated.

The week passed, almost in a blur, and it was soon time for the last match of the year. In the locker room, the coach was giving last minute advice.

"The opposing team is not too much in the top but they should not be underestimated either. Let me tell you this. You can't afford to lose this game,"

The coach continued.

"I know very well that this is your last match, we all want this one to end on a good note. . But you still have to win. I hate losing, and you should, too. Go out there and give the public a good show".

The referee blew his whistle, signaling for all the players to take their position. The match between Ajax and Willem II was finally beginning.

The game went exactly as Coach had anticipated in the first ten minutes. Willem II's team kicked off the game and maintained possession as they bore down on Ajax's goal.

All their players were able to retain the ball and pass it around quickly. They could advance steadily towards the goal without giving the academy players a chance to win possession.

Willem II's team created their first clear chance of the game in the 15th minute in such a manner. Caluwe, who was supposed to be playing the defensive midfield role, exploded forth. He played a one-two with Romano, the left-winger after receiving a fast pass from Frank a defender.

The duo bypassed De Jong and penetrated deep into the half of Ajax with their smooth passing. Caluwe made a quick through pass to Romano, who was making a run behind the three center backs before they managed to react to the swift change in the game's pace.

The Willem II striker dashed into the box and found himself one-on-one with Ravier, the goalkeeper. However, as he raised his foot, preparing to shoot, a swift silhouette came, sliding in and poked the ball out of play.

The referee blew the whistle and pointed to the corner flag.

Van Der Vaart had saved the Ajax team from conceding an early possible goal. He was the only player on the team who had reacted swiftly to Willem II's change of pace and sudden attack. The other player was caught of guard by the way the opponent play the game.

Ravier frowned at Maxwell, who had just returned to the box.

"Don't allow their strikers to make runs behind you. Wasn't that what the coach said? What are you people doing in defense?"

Ravier told him.

"They were very fast with their transition"

The center-back said.

"But don't worry it won't happen again. I can promise you that."

"Great."

Ravier nodded.

"But maintain a proper backline throughout the match. You should command the rest of the defenders to move up-and-down the field in unison in all defensive situations. Only then can we lay a good offside trap and prevent their fast attacks from threatening our box."

"Whatever are you saying".

"Do you think I'm only here to prevent the opponent from scoring? I also have to read the game. That's what the tactics lessons we receive are for".

Seeing his surprise, Ravier told him.

"According to you how can I make certain predictions"

Ravier had noticed that Romano would have been offside if Grygera, the left center-back, hadn't dropped back and played him onside. He didn't expect such a rookie mistake from defenders in a professional level.

"Don't worry,"

Maxwell assured him.

"We'll do our best for the rest of the game. Let's defend the corner first."

The defender Maxwell is an easy-going person. After several months of interaction Ravier know that if he talk to him, he'd listened to his reminder with a positive attitude.

Quinn, Willem II's right-winger, delivered a cross ball from the corner into the box. Mathijsen, the tall center-back, outjumped Ajax's defense to meet the ball and headed it right down towards the middle of the goal. However, his long-range header was not powerful enough, and Ravier, the goalkeeper, made a comfortable save.

Ravier did not dilly-dally, he made a long throw towards the touchline where Soetaers's left-winger, was waiting, and with this action, most of his teammates took off swiftly towards the other side of the pitch after he throw the ball.

Soetaers, in the left-wing, controlled the ball beautifully close to the centerline. However, two of Willem II's players who hadn't partaken in the corner kick boxed him in. They surrounded him and forced him to pass the ball back to Galásek. Willem II had managed to stop Ajax's counter attack successfully.

De Jong received Soetaers's pass as he stepped into the midfield. He was calm as his eyes were focused on the field before him. He controlled the ball with and dashed towards Willem II's half with an explosion of long strides.

Although he hadn't touched many ball in the first ten minutes, he'd been observing and analyzing the entire game situation. The right-wing was open, like a highway, inviting De Jong's pass.

So, he did not hesitate and whipped the ball towards De Ridder, in the right-wing. The tall winger latched on to the precise long pass and took off towards the opponent's goal as if his life depended on it.