Chapter 84

I created a nice space for a shot, but I couldn't take it because a defender attacked me from behind, causing me to lose my balance and fall to the ground rolling on the grass. 

The only ideal solution for the referee was to blow his whistle. The nearby players gathered to see what happened. I stood up after a few seconds of rolling on the floor holding my leg, where area I was kicked. When the referee called a penalty on our team, all of the players moved behind the ball,  a player from my team have to step forward to shoot the ball. 

All of the players motioned for me to take the penalty kick. "I'm definitely not going to take the penalty kick this time," I told myself. 

**flashback*** I was a few metres away from the ball. I was about to take the team's penalty kick. At the time, the team's faith was in my hands because the opponent was leading one to nil. We'd get thirty minutes of extra time if I scored the penalty kick. 

The audience was deafeningly quiet. I was extremely nervous. I didn't want to be disappoint them. That would not be acceptable to anyone. I took my place to run and kick the ball, but I had to wait for the referee to blow his whistle after confirming that both myself and the goalkeeper were ready.

He then blew the whistle, signalling me to kick the ball. I dashed towards the ball with the intention of kicking it towards the goal post. I slammed the ball into the air with my right foot. The ball was moving to the left side of the goal post. 

The goalkeeper jumped to the left as well. I became unlucky when he had the opportunity to use his fingers to deflect the ball from entering the goal post. The ball swerved and went over the crossbar. 

Everyone was on the verge of ecstasy, but they couldn't because the penalty kick was missed. I put my hands on my head, clearly disappointed with the opportunity I'd just passed up.

But the game had not ended. I had to believe I was still capable of doing something. I should have faith in myself until the final whistle blew. For us, it was a corner kick. 

In the box eighteen, we all gathered in the box, waiting for the ball to be delivered. Into the box eighteen, the ball was kicked into the air and delivered into the box for a header, but it was caught by the goalkeeper. 

When the referee blew the whistle, the game was over. The opponents celebrated after winning the cup, while we took second place. I sat on the grass, my shirt covering my face. ******* 

I guess I have to believe in myself, so I went ahead and took the penalty. I took a deep breath in while closing my eyes, then exhaled while opening them. I had my gaze fixed on the ball.