Chapter 8 - What's Next?

As we enter the last 15 minutes, the most exciting 15 minutes of this game for Inkford University and the neutrals in the crowd love watching the game. Not so much for Faith University, as everything seemed to have turned in favor of Inkford. There was no explanation as to how a game can turn around swiftly? From the favor of one team into the favor of another team? The only possible explanation was the beauty of this sport, the unpredictable nature of it. The game is never won until the referee's final whistle, and there exist a million different possibilities during each minute of the game. Finally, however, we get to decide the outcome by believing and working towards their ultimate goal- a triumph.

"Wake up, everybody!!! What are you all doing? Don't you want to win this game? They have just scored one goal. What's with all this panicking? We are in the lead. All we need to do is retain possession of the ball and waste time for the next 15 minutes" The captain of Faith University was herself panicking. She could not believe that the team had lost control of their opponents or the captain of Faith University had lost control of her team.

"What are you talking about? When you have done nothing during this game? You're such a burden to carry. When nothing seems to go right from your end, you turn towards us and point your fingers at us because blaming was always simple for you, wasn't it? Maybe it's all in the captaincy. The captaincy of our University is too big of a burden on your shoulder that you cannot even think for yourself." The Faith University captain's teammates were all against her. They had enough of her constant ranting immediately as things start going against them.

"Hahaha...I didn't even get a chance to make you swallow your own words; your teammates did that for me, I guess. Spoke too soon? Isn't that right? I'm starting to wonder what you were saying earlier to describe me, was it you who was trying to describe yourself from those words? Before you even deny, your teammates already proved me correct. I'd say the match has only just begun. We will not let you sustain." Amy's attitude is what makes her stand out from the rest.

"Coach, look at you... Hahahaha... A few minutes ago, you were looking away as you told us you don't want to look at the game, but now all of a sudden, you are back at it, jumping all over the place in sheer excitement. Indeed the beauty of this game."

"I need to go visit a doctor immediately after this game ends; it has been a roller coaster of emotions my heart has felt today. Hopefully, the doctor's result isn't too harsh because I love this job even though it's been such a thriller recently." The negativity and nervousness seemed to be disappearing out of the minds of the Inkford University team. What a goal does to a team is quite remarkable. Each team member had all believed even against all the odds that this team faced during this game.

"Although I do need to apologize to everyone. Before the second half began, I thought the team had improved but would have failed to show up on the biggest stage, and their old habits would start to creep back into them to haunt them, and if the old habits came back eventually. It would mean the team was back to what it was once, but they proved me wrong by showing their resilience and committing their minds to believe in what they have worked hard for the past few months. It takes courage to survive in the game for so long with ten men, but it takes a persistent and robust mind to believe and try to win under those circumstances which are against all the odds. Not only did they believe it, but they're turning it around as well."

"Drama, Drama, and more drama till the last we love the Victorian Count for coming up with this brilliant idea to set up a tie with this much thrill and excitement in it." The crowd was loving every minute of it, and soon we were to hear another roar from the crowd.

"That's a penalty.. IT IS A PENALTY FOR SURE!!!!!!! This game keeps getting better and better every minute. Faith University will finally pull it off this time around, and they're surely going to win it now without a doubt."

It was a penalty for Faith University. Inkford did their best to resist all of the threats put on them by their opponents. Eventually, they ended up fouling a player in their penalty area, which resulted in them conceding a penalty in the 80th minute of the game. The whole game has been a story of misfortunate events for Inkford University, but they have also been riding their luck through the entire game. Although nothing went in their favor, they were still alive in this game thanks to their opponents missing a few golden opportunities to win and bury the game before the full time itself.

"Hopefully, this goal will restore your faith me, I feel like it is my responsibility and maybe you all were right. I have been running away from my responsibilities and it is my time to redeem myself back, I'll score and we'll win this!"

The captain of Faith University had decided that she would take the penalty kick as the words of her teammates were living in her head. She felt responsible at the moment and couldn't resist the temptation of scoring a vital penalty which would seal the deal for Faith University."

"The captain of Faith University steps up to take it... Where will she be placing the ball? She takes the shot and it's a ...."