Chapter 56: The Red Card Offense

It's important to note that this World Youth Football Championship followed the golden goal rule. This meant that if the teams were tied after 90 minutes of regular play, the first team to score in extra time would be declared the winner immediately.

A truly ruthless "sudden death" system - a fitting description for this intense situation.

To avoid entering such a merciless scenario, both teams became increasingly desperate to score the winning goal.

While Brazil's tactics were often criticized as naive, Ghana proved equally limited in their approach. Instead of relying on teamwork, they depended more on individual skill and talent. However, after conceding the equalizer, Ghana's head coach seemed to impart some wisdom, as they suddenly started valuing collective play and passing the ball around more.

A series of intelligent passes and patient build-up evoked shades of the famous football club Barcelona's style, albeit lacking a true orchestrator in the mould of Xavi to truly trouble Brazil's defense.

Of course, Brazil still faced difficulties, with the chief tormentor being Patsir, the player who provided the assist for Ghana's opening goal.

He dribbled menacingly into the right side of the box once again, clearly looking to replicate his earlier heroics. A series of stepovers along the byline couldn't unsettle the steadfast Anderson, but as the Brazilian lunged to dispossess him, he did clip Patsir.

Patsir instantly jumped up angrily, confronting Anderson, with another clash looming until the nearby referee immediately intervened, penalizing Anderson while holding Patsir back.

Ghana's captain quickly arrived, adamant that Anderson should be cautioned and arguing for a penalty, despite Patsir having gone down a couple of yards outside the area - he would need outstretched arms just to graze the line.

The referee remained unmoved by Ghana's protests, awarding only a direct free-kick.

Ghana's defender Monsa took responsibility for the free-kick, a marauding full-back who loved joining attacks as an auxiliary winger.

Apart from Adriano, Roberta and Kaka, the entire Brazilian team formed a defensive wall as Monsa lined up a swinging right-footed delivery.

The wall leapt but couldn't make contact, fortunately Rubinio reacted sharply to gather at his near post as the ball bent viciously.

No sooner had Rubinio claimed the ball than Kaka and Brazil's two strikers had already started sprinting into the Ghanaian half, sensing a counter-attacking opportunity. Spotting the chance, Rubinio launched a long clearance towards Kaka's vicinity.

Checking over his shoulder mid-stride, Kaka realized Rubinio's pass, while timely with no markers around him, fell at least five yards off his running line. 

Kaka had to check his run and veer sideways to intercept the bobbling ball just before it drifted out of play. The poor first touch nearly let it squirt loose, over two yards from his foot. His technique wasn't the issue, but rather his ball control let him down on this occasion. Fortunately, with no opponents nearby, his lapse went unpunished.

By now Adriano and Roberta had advanced to the Ghanaian penalty area, with Adriano slightly deeper, allowing Kaka to slide a through pass into his path.

Adriano's control was far more assured, utilizing his strength and superior touch to expertly chest the ball down despite a recovering Ghanaian defender closing him down, drawing envious admiration from Kaka.

Damn, what he wouldn't give for that physique and skill.

Not only was Adriano's control immaculate, but his next action was outrageous skill. Facing away from his marker, he delicately flicked the ball over both their heads before spinning to chase it, knocking a first-time through ball into the box with the outside of his foot.

Roberta's outstanding off-the-ball movement saw him gamely latch onto the pass first. With the onrushing goalkeeper Banana and two defenders converging, he had to shoot immediately, guiding an angled effort towards the far corner in an attempt to round the keeper.

The ball agonizingly trundled along the goal-line, brushing past Banana's outstretched hand before clattering off the upright amid contrasting anguished and relieved cries from the crowd. 

Roberta tried to pounce on the rebound but was cleared out as Ghana desperately hacked the ball clear off their lines.

Despair for one side, jubilation for the other. The passion and intensity of the match was palpable.

"Brazil executed a fabulous counter-attack but lacked a touch of fortune. Had Roberta's shot been a fraction higher, they would have regained the lead. Then again, had he gone across goal rather than picking the far corner, Banana may well have saved it. A lob might have been wiser given the tight angle, though he deserves credit for such a crisp, decisive effort under pressure. If Brazil persist, the goal will surely come. The frenetic pace is relentless; neither team wants extra time..."

Ghana's hurried clearance didn't travel far, finding its way to Pinga on the left flank.

The young Brazilian winger had replaced Costa in this match to form a new-look partnership with Leo, but neither had truly shone so far. As such, when he collected possession, Ghana didn't immediately apply pressure, instead maintaining their defensive shape centrally around Kaka and Adriano. 

They were swiftly punished for this momentary lapse in concentration.

Pinga dribbled confidently down the wing before performing an outrageous Marseille roulette, spinning past his marker into the box to the Ghanaian defender's amazement. He found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper in a glorious position.

Ghana finally awoke as Roberta pulled across to provide an option, but Pinga carried the ball a few yards further infield. Poised to shoot or cross, whichever choice would likely have resulted in a goal, the chance was cruelly snatched away.

The recovering Ghanaian defender arrived with a wild lunge, hacking down Pinga on the edge of the area just as he shaped to pull the trigger.

The referee's shrill whistle pierced the air almost simultaneously. The floored Ghanaian didn't protest the inevitable red card, trudging off without a second glance at the approaching official brandishing the red, his teammates patting his head solemnly as he passed, apart from Banana futilely pleading his case to no avail.

An obvious, stonewall red card offense that could prove decisive in this tense, dramatic match.

(end of chapter)