Chapter 49: Hold the Line

The roar of the crowd intensified as Madeira High unleashed their final attack. Chris Aki barked orders, directing his teammates into a bold offensive shift. The field seemed to tilt in their favor as players in red swarmed forward.

"Formation shift! Madeira's throwing everything into attack!" the commentator exclaimed. "Rosario's defense is about to face its toughest test yet!"

Lio gritted his teeth, his eyes darting across the field as fatigue began to wear on him but he was determined to not give in!. Madeira's formation had stretched Rosario to the limit, pulling their defenders out of position. It was chaos but calculated chaos, the kind Madeira thrived on.

"Stay compact!" Coach Gadiona yelled from the sideline, his voice strained but resolute. "Mark your man and don't let them through!"

Chris received the ball just outside the box, his touch smooth despite the pressure. Kaito closed in immediately, shadowing him like a second skin.