Blue vs. Red - Training Match

More than thirty minutes later salty droplets flowed down his face like soft tropical rain, dripping onto the artificial turf of the pitch. But Alex didn't stop the routine until he felt that his muscles were active and ready for intensive football drills. During his past life, he'd come to understand the importance of warming the body before any intensive exercise. It would help increase his flexibility while reducing muscle soreness and lessening the risk of injury.

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The sun was shining brightly, casting a golden hue over the training ground as the boys gathered for the much-anticipated practice match. Alex Bram, with his curly hair and broad smile, stood among the blues, stretching his muscles and feeling the adrenaline rush that came with the whistle's imminent blow. Across the field, Steven Gerben, his friend with whom he has become close with, was doing the same. The two had been friends since the trials, and today, they would share the field again, but with a twist—they'd be playing on opposite wings for the same team.

The teams were split evenly into elevens, each side wearing their designated colors—blues and reds. Both teams set up in the classic 4-3-3 formation, with a solid defense, a dynamic midfield, and a forward line ready to make runs. Alex, positioned on the left wing, scanned the field, noting the opposing right-back's stance and the gaps in their defense. Steven, on the right wing, was doing the same, his eyes focused and his feet shifting slightly as he prepared for the action ahead.

The referee blew the whistle, and the match began. The blue team, under the leadership of their captain, controlled the ball with a series of short passes in the midfield, maintaining possession and probing the red team's defense for weaknesses. Alex's first touch was sharp, a deft flick that sent the ball back to the central midfielder. He then darted forward, ready to receive the return pass.

The ball moved quickly across the field, and soon, it was back with Alex on the left. The red team's right-back closed in, forcing him towards the sideline. But Alex was known for his creativity, and he wasn't about to be hemmed in. He dropped his shoulder and performed a reverse step-over, a move that caught the defender off guard. In a fluid motion, Alex cut inside, leaving the right-back behind.

Now in the attacking third, Alex looked up and saw an opportunity. The red team's defense was disorganized, with their central defenders drifting out of position. He took a deep breath and unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box. The ball sailed through the air, curving slightly as it headed towards the top corner of the goal. The red team's goalkeeper leaped, but it was too late—the ball hit the back of the net with a satisfying thud. The blue team erupted in cheers, and Alex's teammates rushed to congratulate him.

The match continued with the blues dictating the play, controlling the tempo and keeping the reds on their toes. Steven, on the right wing, was equally impressive. He used his speed and agility to break past the red team's left-back, creating several dangerous chances. In one particularly impressive play, he sprinted down the wing, beat his defender with a quick step-over, and delivered a pinpoint cross into the box. Though the blue team's striker couldn't convert the opportunity, it was clear that Steven's skills were a valuable asset.

As the game wore on, the blues' dominance became more apparent. Their midfield trio maintained control, while the defense stood firm against the red team's sporadic counterattacks. Alex and Steven continued to shine, their chemistry on full display as they linked up for quick one-twos and created scoring opportunities.

By the end of the match, the blues had secured a convincing victory, with Alex's screamer and Steven's creative plays being the highlights. As the teams shook hands and gathered for the coach's post-match briefing, Alex and Steven exchanged a high-five, their friendship coming as strong as ever. It was clear that both players had bright futures ahead of them, and today's performance was just a glimpse of what they could achieve on the field.

"So boys well played today, we are having our first match of the season against Vitesse in the next three days. So I want you guys to be sharp before the match." Coach Johan said atmosphere intense. "Tomorrow another round of training and in the evening you guys are going to know the starting eleven and match tatics."

"Woah that was intense" Alex said while walking with Steven to their dorm. "Yeah, I think we are going to make the starting eleven"

"Let's fight hard for it and hope the coach would see us." Alex said determined to impress.