A gift from the gods

The players from both teams understood the all-importance of a late equaliser could pose. However, the referee would have none of it, as the proceeding minutes last of the match saw many set pieces taking place as both teams played to their manager's desires.

Kai, positioned as the Anchor in front of the backline, acted as the deepest player in a Midfield Trio composed of himself, Amine Harit, and Lucas Tousart. The trio were tasked with the all-important task of preventing any sort of attacks developing through the centre of the pitch, with them each tasked to man-mark their respective midfield opponent. More importantly the trio was delegated with the important responsibility of controlling the game and creating chances for their teammates.

The game entered into suspense and agitation, yet Kai, Amine, and Lucus methodically and calmly progressed the ball into their opponent's half. Their opponent had realised they are losing control of the match, and have rapidly adapted to the situation by sitting deep and defending their 0–1 lead. Kai himself was having difficulty finding offensive solutions to get an equaliser. He could see holes and gaps in the defence, but all of those chances required a combination of factors for a successful attack.

The team patiently waited, with Kai trying to find that clear-cut opportunity. Then, a chance came for the asian youth as he spotted one of the defenders in a moment of absent-mindedness. Kai grabbed on to this chance, with him threading the pass through the tightest of gaps that caught everyone, including his teammate off guard.

The tension in the stadium was palpable as the clock ticked down to the final moments of the first half. The score was 0–1, with their opponent in the lead, and they were desperate to equalize.

Kai had been intelligently watching the entire pitch to predict where his teammates will receive the ball and will launch an attack if presented with the opportunity to do so. This was the moment in which Kai's anticipation and intelligence disregarded his instinctive nature, and instead located a situation that was full of potential.

It was as precise and delicate as one could ask for. Barely any adjustment needed as the ball obediently arrived before the feet of none other than Jean-Kevin Augustin. The right winger was almost invisible during the match, every chance he received the ball he was firmly denied. But this time, it was different.

In a sudden burst of speed and skill, Augustine broke free from the defender and sprinted towards the goal. He dribbled the ball in a frantic manner, weaving his way through the defenders in a barbaric and intimidating anger, like a caveman as he forced his way into the box.

The crowd held its breath as the attacker closed in on the goal. The goalkeeper braced himself, ready to make a save, but the attacker had other plans. His agility was simply sublime as he released a devastating shot that the keeper had barely any time to react. The keeper dived as he desperately attempted to stop the goal.

But the keeper was dumbfounded, realising Augustine released a fake shot that made him look like a fool. The forward smiled as he finally released his real threat in goal. With him striking the ball with a rage and frustration that accumulated in the match.

It flew through the air, a white blur against the green grass. The goalkeeper unable to react, his hands outstretched, but the ball sailed past him and hit the back of the net.

The stadium erupted in a cacophony of cheers and screams as the visitors' bench emptied onto the field. The players hugged each other, jumping up and down in excitement. The fans chanted and sang, waving their banners and scarves in the air.

The scoreboard read 1-1, and there were only seconds left on the clock before half-time. Kai's team had equalized only moments before the break, rekindling their hope and dying ambition from the jaws of despair.

"AAAHHHHHH!"

Augustine threw his head back and let out a primal scream of delight that echoed throughout the stadium. His joy was so intense that he couldn't contain it any longer. He yelled and shouted, his voice ringing out above the noise of the crowd. His teammates joined in, whooping and hollering in celebration.

The player's throat was hoarse from all the shouting, but he didn't care. Augustine felt alive and energized, his whole body buzzing with excitement. The player felt it, the rush of adrenaline was overwhelming.

He jumped up and down, his arms raised in triumph, as his teammates rushed to embrace him. They hugged and high-fived each other, shouting and cheering in excitement.

The player was grinning from ear to ear, his face flushed with excitement and pride. He had worked so hard to get to this moment, training every day, pushing himself to the limit, and now it had all paid off.

As the celebrations continued around him, Augustine closed his eyes for a moment, savouring the feeling of scoring an all important goal. He knew that there was still work to be done, that the match wasn't over yet, but for now, he didn't care. He was lost in the moment, basking in the glory of his achievement.

When he finally opened his eyes again, the player saw his teammates looking at him expectantly, urging him to keep going, to fight until the end. He nodded, his determination renewed, and charged back onto the field.

Augustine eyed Kai, he nodded to him as he held up his hand, forming a thumbs up. A sense of approval and gratitude sent to the midfielder.

The game was far from over, but the players felt invincible, like they could do anything. They had just scored the goal that they were so desperately searching for, and nothing was going to stop them now from getting another. But for Kai, something magical appeared in his heart as he felt... approved... accepted... thanked.

That little gesture of appreciation from Augustine was like a tsunami of emotions. All the training, all the effort he gone in had earned something back; gratitude and acceptance. He smiled, sending back a thumbs up as he jogged back into position. The game wasn't over yet.

~~~

The players gathered around in a tight circle at half-time, their faces grim with determination. The score was tied at 1-1, and they knew that they had to step up their game if they wanted to win.

They were a team without a coach, but they were united in their goal. They all knew what they had to do to win, and they were ready to do it.

One of the players stepped forward, his voice clear and strong. "Listen up, guys," Lucas (Hernandez) said. "We've got this. We know what we need to do to win. We've got to be smart, we've got to be focused, and we've got to work together."

The other players nodded, their eyes fixed on him. They knew that he was right.

"We've come too far to let this slip away now," he continued. "We've worked too hard, we've trained too long, and we've sacrificed too much. We can't let this opportunity pass us by. For most of us, this might be the last time we get to play together in one team. Savour this moment, for this tournament may be the last football we enjoy together."

The other players looked at each other, their faces set in determination.

"We're a team without a coach, we don't need one," the Amine said. "We're a team of brothers, and we're going to win this match together. We're going to play like champions, we're going to fight like warriors, and we're going to leave everything on the field."

The other players cheered, their fists pumping in the air. They were ready to go back out there and give it everything they had.

"We've got this," Nkunku said, a smile spreading across his face. "Let's go win this thing."

"We need to tighten up our defense," Zagadou complained. "We can't keep giving them easy chances to score."

"I agree," Theo said. "But we also need to be more aggressive on offense. We need to take more shots and put pressure on them. Defending is fine and all but what's the point if we don't win."

The players nodded in agreement. They knew that they had to strike a balance between defense and offense if they wanted to come out on top.

"We also need to communicate better," said another player. "We're getting caught out of position too often. We need to talk to each other and make sure we're all on the same page."

The players nodded again, realizing that communication was key. They knew that they had to work together as a team if they wanted to win.

"Guys..."

Kai finally spoke up. His first words were like a thunder in the sunny blue sky. For many, it might be the first time they have heard him speak.

"As long as you run your hardest. As long as you get into good positions. As long as you locate yourself at dangerous locations... I will find you."

It was a revelation. Like a king addressing his subjects with one arm on their shoulder. His words weren't just a request, it was an order. The team nodded, the two assists that Kai had delivered had already persuaded them from all doubts they had before.

"For Victory!"

The players broke the huddle, their spirits lifted by the words of their peers. They knew that the second half was going to be tough, but they were ready for the challenge. They took a deep breath, pulled up their socks, and headed back onto the field, determined to give it their all.