31 - The Turning Goal

The stadium erupted in a deafening roar as Nishida's shot crashed into the back of the net with the force of a meteorite.

Tsuyoshi Nishida's goal wasn't just another point on the scoreboard; it was a masterpiece, a masterful painting, the likes of which can only be seen on television. For a brief moment, this field of green grass had become his canvas.

The Wushia High School players rose like a wave in ecstasy. Arms in the air, screaming, jumping and hugging, all at the same time in chaotic celebration.

Even the most skeptical spectators in the stands couldn't deny what they had just witnessed. This match had been more exciting than anyone could have predicted.

Nishida's eyes, still fixed on the goal, revealed his surprise. For a few seconds, he didn't smile or celebrate. Instead, he just stood there, his chest rising and falling as his heart raced in his chest.

While the Itou High School players looked at each other in disbelief at what had just happened, Nishida's teammates ran towards him.

Lucas was the first to reach him and jumped on his back.

"Man, you did it!" Lucas shouted.

Other Wushia High School players joined in the celebration surrounding Nishida. Each of them was clearly exhausted, sweat dripping from their foreheads, but the gleam in their eyes was impossible to ignore.

Kenji gave Nishidaa gentle pat on the back. "I knew you had something up your sleeve, but this... was surreal."

Nishida finally smiled, a small smile befitting his reserved personality, but full of satisfaction. "It had to be now, didn't it? There was no other chance."

On the sidelines, Wushia's coach, Mr. Yamamoto, watched the scene with an expression of unbridled pride. He knew of Nishida's potential, he always had, but even he was surprised by the precision and power of that shot.

"Tsuyoshi... Tsuyoshi..." he murmured to himself, shaking his head in amazement. "This boy has something special."

On the other side, the coach of Itou High School gesticulated furiously, trying to reorganize his players for the final minutes, but it was clear that Nishida's goal had destabilized the team. They looked lost, their morale shattered.

Itou's goalkeeper picked up the ball at the back of the net and stared at it, trying to process how he'd been beaten so easily.

"How could I not have seen this coming?" He asked himself.

The referee finally restored order to the field and blew the whistle to resume play.

The Itou High School players lined up for the restart, but the flame that had once burned in their eyes seemed to have been completely extinguished.

Extra time was almost up, and everyone knew that Nishida's goal would probably seal the match's fate.

Even Shinto Ishikuno, the monster from Itou High School, was a little frightened by the turn of events.

When the ball was put back into play, most of Wushia's players remained in their formation, but they were visibly more relaxed, confident that victory was within their grasp.

Nishida, however, remained focused. "It's not over yet," he said.

On the field, the clock seemed to run slower than ever for Wushia High School. Every second that passed was a blessing for Wushia and a burden for Itou.

The ball moved from side to side, but Itou's momentum was gone. They were on the field, but their minds seemed to be elsewhere, perhaps reliving Nishida's shot while trying to find some mistake or flaw that would explain what had happened.

When the final whistle blew a minute later, it was as if an electric charge had been released throughout the stadium.

The Wushia High School players erupted in celebration again, and this time Nishida let go, raising his arms to the sky and shouting as he and his teammates ran toward the coach.

Nishida was quickly surrounded by his teammates, all eager to show their gratitude to the player who had sealed their victory.

Mr. Yamamoto approached and put an arm around Nishida's shoulders. "That was brilliant, Tsuyoshi. Today, you showed everyone why you're one of the best."

Nishida smiled again, this time more openly. "Thanks, coach."

Meanwhile, in the stands, several Wushia High School fans were chanting Nishida's name.

Even the commentators on the online broadcast were ecstatic, praising the skill and courage Nishida had shown in risking that shot.

"This kid has a bright future. What we saw today wasn't just luck, it was pure stardom. Mr. Doya, our expert on high school teams and national grassroots soccer, did you know him?"

"Tsuyoshi Nishida has always been a standout in the youth leagues. He's always had this natural ability to score goals, but like today, he didn't make many appearances in the course of the game because he was always very well marked. Still, he seems to have a star in him, doesn't he? Even though he was out of action for the whole game, he comes on at the right time and fires a powerful shot from this distance towards the goal. It's crazy. For sure, Tsuyoshi Nishida is a youngster to keep an eye on, and it's a warning to the big national clubs."

"Yes, yes. Definitely. I think that apart from the surprising goal in the 45th minute, Wushia High School's performance today was also surprising. There were high expectations for Itou High School. Do you think that might have had a negative effect?"

"It's hard to say. They're all young players, and their emotions are unpredictable. However, I don't think that High School Itou's defeat today was due to nerves. They didn't play badly. In fact, I think they did even more to win than they did in the first game, when they massacred their opponents."

"Ohh! So why do you think today's result wasn't what you expected?"

"Can I be honest?"

"Of course!"

"I think the main culprit is that young midfielder. Let me see his name here... Um, yes, Lucas Tanaka, the #8 from Wushia High School!"

"Actually, come to think of it, he didn't give Itou High School's midfield or Shinto Ishikuno a moment's peace. That boy has energy!"

"More than energy, he did it with intelligence."

"What do you mean?"

"Look at it this way: Itou High School has quality when it has freedom. That way, the passes always reach Shinto Ishikuno, who can single-handedly disorganize a team's entire defensive structure. On the other hand, if the pass to Shinto Ishikuno is made under pressure, he won't have as many opportunities. What's more, by creating a system of individual marking on Ishikuno, the talented dribbler will be able to get forward two or three players at a time, but when he has to make a play to avoid losing the ball, Lucas will be there to get in his way and make him hesitate, make a mistake, or even take a risk."

"Huh? Did that kid think all that up?"

"If he didn't think, it would be even scarier, because it means he acted on instinct."

"There you are, Lucas Tanaka! The boy managed to stop the great talent Shinto Ishikuno! Wushia High School will now advance to the main round of the Chubu Regional Summer Championships!"