A Game of Tactics

In NF Academy's dressing room at half-time...

Coach Johansen could not suppress his smile as he surveyed the players seated before him. They had outdone themselves through sheer focus and discipline on the pitch. Thanks to their tenacity, they were two goals ahead of VfB Stuttgart in the Riga Cup Final.

To his delight, they had maintained the air of seriousness required for a final—even after they'd returned to the dressing room with an advantage at the half-time break. All the players silently chugged down water from bottles without chattering amongst themselves, as they'd done in previous matches.

They were seemingly well aware that being in the lead before half-time did not guarantee victory in a match. Coach Johansen nodded in satisfaction. That was the right attitude for a competitive soccer game.