As the three players from each team approached the field, the tension in the air grew. On one side stood Nishioka, Chigiri, and Kiyora, while on the other were Team B's Bachira, Isagi, and Barou. Murano and Shidou stood poised, eager to face their opponents.
"Oi! Murano!" Nishioka said, waving at Murano. Chigiri and Kiyora followed him as they approached the pair.
Nishioka's voice cut through the charged atmosphere, drawing Murano's attention. He turned to face his rival, his eyes fuming with a challenge.
"Ready to be crushed?" Nishioka asked.
Murano's jaw clenched, his gaze unwavering, his expressions unreadable. Deliberately, he turned his back on Nishioka, ignoring his taunts. The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the sound of cleats scraping against the ground.
Nishioka's smirk faded, replaced by a flicker of annoyance. He couldn't believe Murano was ignoring him.Nishioka's eyes narrowed. He could see that Murano wasn't treating him as an equal.
"I see how it is," Nishioka said, his voice hardening. "I'll show you my worth
on the field."
Murano remained silent, his focus fixed on the field ahead. Murano turned to face him. "Just make sure you don't bring me down with you," Murano replied, his tone sharp and accusatory.
"Save your breath for the game," Murano added.
**Third Selection**
The selection process involved five matches, with each Top 6 pair playing at least three games. Team A had to play four games due to the odd number of players. After the matches, the players waited for the results to determine the Blue Lock Eleven. The team underwent unique Flow State instruction before practicing for the U-20 match.
**Blue Lock... Third Selection**
Team A vs. Team B
**Team A:**
- Murano
- Shidou
- Nishioka
- Chigiri
- Kiyora
**Team B:**
- Rin
- Yukimuya
- Bachira
- Isagi
- Barou
**Match 1**
**Kick-off**
The match started as Shidou passed to Murano. "Do what you do best. Otherwise, pass it to me," Shidou said as Murano took off.
Murano vs. Rin
Rin closed in on Murano, his eyes locked on the ball. With the grace of a predator, he lunged to steal the ball.
"One, two." Murano executed a series of stepovers, but Rin tried to anticipate each movement.
"Tch! Move out of the way," Murano muttered as he darted past Rin on the left, his agility clear in every step. As he sprinted towards the goal, Isagi and Bachira moved like a synchronized unit, blocking Murano's path to the net.
"Guess what?" Murano whispered, his voice barely audible. He feinted Isagi to the right, and with a flick of his foot, the ball soared into the air, a rainbow flick over Bachira's head.
GOAL!
1-0
Declared as the ball struck the top corner, the net expanding with the force of Murano's strike.
As the game resumed, Team B was determined to retaliate. The midfielders, Isagi and Bachira, orchestrated a swift counterattack, moving the ball effortlessly between them. Their seamless teamwork left Nishioka and Kiyora scrambling to defend them.
Bachira, with his lightning-fast footwork, managed to break free from Nishioka and Kiyora. He unleashed a powerful shot, aiming for the bottom corner of the net.
The ball flew its path towards the goalpost but would reach its inevitable end as Shidou dived to his right, narrowly deflecting the ball with his signature move (drive shot).
Chigiri recovered the ball as he dashed forward and then sent a long cross to the other half, where Murano and Barou were.
With a swift move, Murano evaded Barou's sliding tackle and found himself face-to-face with the Blue Lock Man (Goalkeeper). Murano then struck the ball with precision, sending it soaring into the net.
GOAL!
The match was now at 2-0, and the stakes were higher than ever. Team B, undeterred by the setback, regrouped and launched an offensive. Barou, displaying remarkable agility, weaved through Chigiri and Kiyora, creating an opening for himself.
The match intensified as Team B relentlessly pushed forward. Team B managed to break through Team A's defense, with Bachira skillfully dribbling past Nishioka. With a well-timed pass, he set up Rin for a clear shot on goal.
Rin was clearly reading and anticipating everything well. He knew that Murano was at his throat. Rushing through the strides, Murano was already there at the scene as Bachira's pass reached Rin. Rin quickly spun the ball right, attempting to throw off Murano's balance.
However, Murano wasn't fazed by it, as he quickly picked up the ball as Rin was still in the momentum of spinning the ball. With the ball now at his feet, he crossed to Chigiri on the left flank.
"Trust me when I say this, Rin. I won't allow you to score a goal in this match," Murano said as he went to support the attack.
Rin, pissed off by Murano's comment, also followed suit.
Chigiri then took off with the ball as he lobbed the ball off to Shidou.
Without waiting any longer, Shidou shot off the ball as he drove it into the top corner.
GOAL!
3-0