A breath in. A breath out.
Anxiety built up, and concentration grew with it.
Play began.
Isaac waited patiently at the front, his large frame holding the defenders at bay. He was playing as a striker in a 4-2-3-1, which meant he had the role of holding up the defenders. Though his team was winning 3 to nothing, he was eager to help put a few more. Soon, the chance he was waiting for came. A long ball was smashed toward him, and he leaped into the air. Every battle mattered here for Isaac. Every touch on the ball was a chance.
Isaac rose through the air like an eagle, and he headed the ball to Abnor Muja, the attacking midfielder for the day. After passing, Isaac landed on the ground. He quickly regained his balance and twisted free from the defender, speeding in behind.
Abnor Muja chose to pass wide, over the defense. Isaac never gave up, and sped forward, into the box. The defender trailed behind him, trying to catch up. Their team's left fullback, who had the ball, sent a cross in.
Isaac leaped into the air. He was like the eagle, the king of the skies. He soared into the air, hungrily searching for prey. He was ready for a chance, an opening. Then, he would get what he wanted. But the ball was too high. It sailed past him, to the right side of the post, where a defender panickedly pushed it out for a corner.
The corner was taken, but nothing came out of it. However, the second ball landed outside the box. It was there, that Isaac lurked. He received the ball, and instantly, he saw himself being swarmed by opposition players. He was like an imposter in a beehive.
Isaac didn't panic. Instead, he leaned to the left, before dashing through the right side of a defender. Another tried to tackle him, but he dug his foot under the ball and flicked it over the defender's leg. He found two more defenders approaching. Isaac raised his left leg over the ball, before using his right leg to push the ball into the space on the right.
Before Isaac knew it, he was already in the box.
Isaac fought back his leg.
The keeper. The defenders. The coach. The fans in the stands. The fans at home. So many people thought the same thing in that one split second.
"Is he going to pass or shoot?"
Nobody knew. Nobody could wait to know. everyone wanted to do something to stop him. Even the old father on his sofa was standing up, imagining he was the defender stopping this young boy. They were losing 3-0, they couldn't lose anymore.
About 4 or 5 of the opposition defenders ran to Isaac. They slid in front of him, and stood before him, ready to stop him. They would not allow him to score. No!
Never!
Inwardly, in that split second, Isaac smiled.
He brought his right leg forward, before pushing the ball behind his left leg, executing an excellent Cruyff turn. Isaac had fooled everyone. Now, he could do what he wanted.
The defenders slid helplessly in front of him, and could only watch as he placed his right foot behind his left. His leg struck the ball, sending it looping over the helpless defense and to the far post.
A rabona cross!
There, Anthony Valencia who had made a run effortlessly headed the ball to the back of the net.
GOAL!
Isaac ran to him, joy evident on his face. He hugged the player, and his teammates crowded around them. They congratulated Isaac on his amazing dribble, making him feel like he was in the clouds. He felt like fluff filled his head. He was overcome by happiness, but soon he suppressed his joy. It wasn't enough. He had to do enough, so well he got a chance to play the next match.
A champions League game against Barcelona.
If he wanted to become great, the world had to learn his name. What better way to do it than against one of the biggest clubs in the world?
Soon play restarted, and after dropping deep, Isaac recieved a long pass from the defence. He recieved the ball on his chest, cushioning it as if his chest were like a pillow.
Thuk!
The ball dropped to the ground. Isaac thereafter controlled it with his knee, before he twisted around. Isaac pulled back his leg before it smashed into the ball. He sent a long ball to Anthony Valencia who had made the run.
Isaac's vision seemed unreal, with his back to the defense he had somehow smashed a pass to the wing. What a beautiful pass too! It was his Maldini card and his Jay Jay Okocha card at work.
Anthony Valencia headed the ball to the ground, before speeding at goal. The goalkeeper ran out to meet him but the attacker stayed composed. He easily chipped the ball over the keeper, to score another goal. The crowd exploded. Their collective shouts were like thunderclaps, and it was enough to rupture a person's eardrums. The cacophony was joy to Isaac however, who dropped to his knees.
'2 assists?'
Isaac didn't want to be too hopeful, but deep down inside he felt like he had put up a performance enough to make the coach consider adding him into the starting lineup.
Play restarted, and Isaac continued to work hard. He created at least 3 or 4 chances, keeping the opposition on their feet.
"Isaac Adams! Isaac Adams!" They were chanting his name, and they loved him. He was their boy, he was the Antwerp's fans' golden boy. The chats continued until the final whistle.
The game had ended 5-0, with Isaac getting two assists. Two assists from off the bench.