Chapter 31:- Final [I]
In the wake of Bangladesh's striking triumph against Japan in the semi-finals of the World Cup, a wave of attention had engulfed the team, particularly resonating across Europe. Interest sparked to an almost insatiable level for a key player, a prodigy named Kabir. He became the metaphorical hotcake in the European football scene, and clubs were eager to have a taste.
Kabir was just 17 years of age, but his football prowess belied his tender years. The AFC Asian Cup that year saw Kabir's dazzling performance which reverberated across the globe. His exceptional skill, youthful vigour, and compelling future potential became impossible to ignore. Echoes of Neymar's talent were seen in him, and it was widely speculated that Kabir had the innate potential to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Messi or Ronaldo.
Clubs known for their knack for recognizing and nurturing outstanding young talent, most notably Real Madrid, were in a state of mild desperation. Their wallets were wide open, ready to offer impressive amounts of money to Kabir. Clubs known for their deep pockets, like PSG and Man City, were stepping up the financial game, laying out highly enticing salary offers to lure Kabir.
The world of football had its set of great managers like Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, José Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Antonio Conte, and Zinedine Zidane. Each of these seasoned managers saw in Kabir an asset to their team. Kabir, a wunderkind of the sport, had shown his knack for creating opportunities, complemented by his extraordinary goal-scoring ability. A staggering 14 goals in merely six matches was a testament to this.
Nevertheless, Kabir had his heart set on Liverpool. He felt a compelling affinity towards the club, its infectious atmosphere, and the thrilling prospect of playing at Anfield. The camaraderie he anticipated with Klopp and his confidence in fitting into Klopp's system was a crucial factor in his decision. After all, a harmonious relationship with a manager often serves as the cornerstone of a successful football career.
However, the transfer market was buzzing like never before. Kabir's exceptional performance at the AFC Asian Cup, particularly considering his youthfulness and the experienced opponents, had turned the market into a frenzy. Every big club in Europe, from Real Madrid to the farthest corners, had their sights on Kabir. This situation was applying a mounting pressure on Liverpool, causing them to up their game and offer Kabir a more enticing package.
An eventual win in the AFC Asian Cup final could catapult Kabir's transfer value to unseen heights.
Meanwhile, just a day following Bangladesh's victory over Japan, South Korea delivered a staggering blow to Australia in the semi-finals. A left winger from South Korea emerged as a hattrick hero, single-handedly ousting Australia from the Asian Cup. This unexpected, electrifying performance from South Korea sent shockwaves throughout the tournament, making people believe in their potential to challenge and even defeat Bangladesh in the finals.
As the final match approached, the anticipation had reached fever pitch. Over four days, the excitement simmered and bubbled over, making the upcoming AFC Asian Cup final the talk of the town. The tournament had smashed all previous viewership records, with predictions suggesting that the final might be watched by a staggering audience of over 100 million in Asia alone. This monumental event had the entire continent, and indeed the world, waiting with bated breath.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, brace yourselves for a night of unprecedented spectacle. The stage is set for South Korea, the two-time champions of the AFC Asian Cup, to possibly etch their name on the trophy for the third time. However, the stakes are equally high, if not higher for Bangladesh. This marks their maiden voyage to the final of any major international tournament. The prospect of Bangladesh emerging victorious and clinching their first AFC Asian Cup is both thrilling and momentous. This could well be a landmark in their sporting history," began the announcer, his voice echoing throughout the stadium, setting the tone for the electrifying evening ahead.
"Tonight, we are graced by the presence of none other than the Prime Minister of Bangladesh herself," the commentator continued as the camera panned to the Prime Minister, seated comfortably on a plush sofa, engaging in animated conversation with the President of the Bangladesh Football Association. Her presence was a testament to the significance of this event for the nation.
"An awe-inspiring crowd of 44,000 spectators is expected to paint the stands tonight." The camera captured the vast expanse of the stadium, brimming with eager fans predominantly from Bangladesh. Given the substantial Bangladeshi diaspora in the UAE, where the final match was being hosted, it was no surprise that almost every seat was adorned with enthusiastic Bangladeshi supporters, their faces radiating excitement and anticipation.
Moreover, the game was not solely a Bangladeshi affair. A fair share of Indian and Arab fans were also part of the sea of spectators, their allegiance leaning towards Bangladesh for the evening. The South Korean contingent, although outnumbered and interspersed among thousands, brought their own spark of enthusiasm. It wasn't a question of their loyalty or eagerness, but rather the scarcity of tickets, which had all been rapidly sold out.
Amid the buzzing crowd, in a secluded luxury suite, were Kabir's parents along with a handful of their relatives. The atmosphere was thick with both excitement and a sense of pride. Kabir, their very own, was carrying the hopes of an entire nation on his young shoulders.
Yukina and Khalid had the option of joining Kabir's family in the luxury suite, but they chose to soak up the electrifying atmosphere of the crowd. Their cheers merged with those of thousands, a symphony of support for their team.
The anticipation was palpable among the Bangladeshi spectators. There was a distinct buzz of conversations, all revolving around Kabir and Bangladesh's journey to the finals. "Can you believe it? Our little country, on such a grand stage!" one fan exclaimed to another, his eyes gleaming with pride. Another, waving a flag, added, "And Kabir, that boy is our golden ticket! He's going to take us to victory tonight!" The passion, excitement, and sense of national pride echoed through the stadium, a testament to the momentous occasion. It was indeed a night when history was on the cusp of being written.
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Meanwhile, within the hallowed confines of the dressing room, an air of intense focus permeated the atmosphere. Kabir, along with his squad members, were absorbed in their coach's words, every syllable sinking deep into their hearts.
"Tonight marks the culmination of our journey," the coach began, his eyes meeting each of theirs in turn, "Tonight's match, our final hurdle, demands everything you have to offer. I want you to pour your heart and soul into this game. If it means bleeding for the cause or risking injury in pursuit of a goal, I implore you to do it. The imperative is to deny the opponent any opportunity to score a goal."
He continued, his voice unwavering and determined, "Tonight, we stand on the precipice of glory. We have battled our way through the trials and tribulations, surmounted challenges and overcome every obstacle that dared to cross our path. By the virtue of teamwork, determination, and sheer willpower, we have defeated every adversary. Tonight, we're here to claim the AFC Asian Cup. Tonight, we bask in the glow of our toil and perseverance."
As the coach concluded his impassioned speech, a silence ensued, filled with anticipation and resolve. Breaking the quietude, the team captain rose and confidently strode to the center of the room. All eyes fell on Kabir. Despite his tender age of just 17, he had won the respect and admiration of his team. His resolve, his skill, his leadership had galvanized the team, who were ready to give their all for their captain.
"Tonight, we shoulder the expectations, hopes, dreams, and aspirations of millions across the globe," Kabir began, his voice ringing clear and true. "We have been chosen to fulfill this honor. We will bring the AFC Asian Cup trophy back home with us."
"Let's do it for our country." The words echoed in the room, reverberating with a sense of purpose. In unison, the team raised their hands high, their shouts resounding with determination and shared resolve.
Upon witnessing this, Coach Jaime couldn't help but let a smile of satisfaction touch his lips. He chose to remain silent, letting the moment speak for itself. His instincts told him they were going to emerge victorious tonight. He could feel it in his bones, his boys were ready, and they were not going to let him down.
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[Let's take a look at tonight's formation.
[South Korea Squad -
Kim Seung-Gyu [GK]
Kim Jin-Su [LB], Kim Min-Jae [CB], Kim Young-Gwon [CB], Kim Tae-Hwan [RB]
Lee Jin-Hyun [LCM], Paik Seung-Ho [CDM], Moon Seon-Min [RCM]
Son Heung-Min [LW], Kim Shin-Wook [CF], Lee Seung-Woo [RW]
Coach - Bento Paulo
Formation - 4-3-3
VS
Bangladesh Squad -
Rana, Ashraful Islam [GK]
Khan [CB], Hosain [CB], Mohammad Rahmat [LFB], Hasan [RFB],
Ahamad [LMF], Ibrahim [RMF], Kabir [CAM]
Matin [RW], Arifur [LW], Nabib [CF]
Coach - Jaime
Formation - 4-3-3]
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As the referee's whistle pierced through the roars of anticipation, Bangladesh commenced the game with a strategic first move. Nabib, with practiced ease, channeled the ball towards their ace player, Kabir.
However, no sooner did Kabir feel the familiar leather under his foot than he found himself engulfed by the South Korean midfielders. They rushed towards him like a hawk swooping in on its prey. For a split second, confusion furrowed Kabir's brows until realization dawned on him. He was the primary target in the Coach's instructions for the South Korean team.
Rather than tempting fate and risking early loss of possession, Kabir decided to play it safe. He swiftly maneuvered the ball to his right where Ibrahim stood, ready to receive it. Ibrahim, with his experienced agility, intercepted Kabir's pass and proceeded to dribble the ball forward.
Once across the midline, Ibrahim paused to survey his surroundings. He instinctively sought Kabir, but he was well ensnared in a net of vigilant midfielders. Ibrahim, though commendable in many ways, lacked the finesse required to deliver a long horizontal pass to the other end of the pitch. His options dwindled further when he noticed that Nabib was already stationed in front of the penalty area. His gaze veered right towards Matin, the remaining option.
But fate seemed to have other plans. Son, the swift South Korean left winger, sprung in front of Ibrahim, blocking his pass. Adapting to the situation, Ibrahim rerouted the ball to its point of origin.
Parallelly, Kabir was engaged in a relentless tussle with the three midfielders. Despite his agility and speed, outpacing three determined players was proving to be a herculean task. Coach Benta, observing this from the sidelines, couldn't help but let a smile grace his features. His strategy of focusing on Kabir was paying off, as evident by the growing signs of frustration on Kabir's face.
'I have dedicated substantial time researching Kabir's abilities and strengths,' Benta thought, 'His speed, his dribbling skills, and his knack for making plays are exceptional. But his potential is drastically compromised when he is isolated from the rest of the squad. This should effectively deter him from scoring goals or assisting them.'
The ball was passed to Ahamad, who, like his teammates, had the instinct to feed it to Kabir. They had relied on this strategy since the beginning of the tournament: channel the ball to Kabir and let him carve the path to the goal. However, seeing Kabir's predicament, Ahamad decided to take matters into his own hands. Ahamad was renowned for his nimble footwork and commendable dribbling skills, but until then, he had not been pressured to make a long run due to Kabir's dominance. Now, the time had come for him to put his skills to the test.
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