Team A increased the margin of their lead, as the scoreboard now displayed 3-0 in favor of Team A.
The match continued at a breakneck pace, with both teams exchanging attacks and defenses.
With the ball now at Barou's feet, he charged forward ignoring his teammates in an attempt to score on his own and change the fate of the match. But he knew his capabilities to create the space he needed, even if he had to charge through a pile-up of players with the ball at his feet.
But even Barou could see the absurdity in his own plan. 1 versus 5 is crazy even with his teammates closing down and helping him maneuver.
As he charged forward he met Kiyora on his path. He did a chop feint to attempt to throw Kiyora off but Kiyora caught on.
After his failed attempt he did a flick over Kiyora's head and took a good touch.
Murano was next and he intended to take him on. He tried to spin the ball as a feint and then hit a nutmeg through Murano's legs.
Murano realized that as he saw the ball coming through. So he pivoted his feet backward and then dragged the ball forward.
"Show me why you deserve the name, Aomori Messi!" Murano yelled as he crossed the ball to Nishioka.
The intensity of the game reached its peak as Nishioka, determined to prove his worth, made a daring solo run down the field. At the same time, Rin and Isagi were charging up against him. Nishioka was stuck between passing the ball to Shidou or getting past Rin. Chigiri unexpectedly dashed off between the spaces of Nishioka and Rin as he took the ball.
This was clearly unexpected in Rin's equations.
Chigiri, displaying remarkable speed, sprinted down the left wing, leaving Isagi trailing behind. His cross into the penalty area found Shidou, who rose above Yukimuya and Bachira with impeccable timing and shot it into the net.
**GOAL!**
Team A just scored their fourth goal, taking a commanding 4-0 lead. Shidou's goal was a testament to his aerial prowess and impeccable timing. It was clear that Team A had purely outmatched Team B.
With victory in sight, Team A continued to press forward, determined to secure their last goal. Kiyora, with his precise passing, orchestrated another attacking move.
With just a goal remaining, Team B managed to gain possession of the ball. Bachira, the midfield maestro, orchestrated a brilliant passing sequence that carved through Team A's defense. Somehow the ball found its way to Barou, whom he wanted the least.
Barou, not wanting to move any further, shot the ball 30 yards from the goalpost swiftly and powerfully, aiming at the far corner of the goalpost.
Chigiri and Murano were found in the net as they both kicked the ball at the same time to divert it away to Nishioka.
Nishioka, with an opportunity, accelerated forward and took the first touch. Nobody could've predicted what would happen next as Nishioka's leg buckled beneath him, sending him crashing to the ground.
Isagi, who happened to be there, picked up the ball and shot it into the net. Scoring the only goal for Team B.
4-1
Lying on the ground, his eyes wide with shock, a loud scream ripped from his throat as he clutched at the injured limb, expressing the pain.
Murano, who realized earlier that Nishioka had been injured, ignored the ongoing match and went to Nishioka. At that time, he felt pity for Nishioka because of how his past life's career ended with an injury.
The game came to an abrupt break, with the players frozen in disbelief. "Can you continue?" Murano asked calmly.
"No... it hurts so badly. I'm afraid I can't." Nishioka replied.
"It's okay," Murano said as he helped Nishioka get off the pitch.
"Ugh! This sucks. I guess you could've won without me anyway." Nishioka said out of frustration. Murano remained quiet.
"You have improved a lot, Murano. From the first time I met you back in the prefectural semi-finals before Blue Lock," Nishioka muttered.
"And even in the second selection, when you defeated me. The you before Blue Lock, in the Second Selection, and now, are completely different people," Nishioka added.
"I wonder, how did you improve so fast, Murano?" Nishioka asked. Murano remained quiet again.
"Given me the silent treatment again, huh? Until we meet again," Nishioka said.
The score was now 4-1.
Rin turned around and saw his teammates standing listlessly, watching their opponents. Murano, Shidou, and Kiyora had their arms folded across their chests. It seemed to him that his teammates had given up, and were unresponsive to their opponents just like the match versus the World Five.
The familiar routine calmed his mind and helped him focus on the game. 'Cause he took the game more seriously than most people, he saw it as a battlefield.
The match restarted.
Yukimuya, looking out of place, kicked the ball back to Rin, positioned right outside the center circle.
Team A did not give Rin any time to move. They ran at him with a hunger befitting their zeal to win the ball back. Rin then passed the ball further back to Bachira in the defensive midfield position.
"Cross it there!" he yelled, pointing towards the right wing.
Bachira followed his instructions and crossed the ball without a pause; however, he crossed to the left wing instead. Yukimuya received the ball and hammered it back to Bachira, who kicked it towards Isagi.
However, Chigiri dashed to the right flank as soon as possible. He was as relentless as a lion, chasing after its prey.
Isagi played a one-two with Bachira at a leisurely pace without waiting for Chigiri to close him down. In the meantime, Barou was isolated from their play due to his selfish nature.
Nevertheless, Chigiri's long legs lunged in and intercepted the pass from Isagi to Bachira.
He had yards of space to work with since Rin was now shielding off the passing routes to Murano.
In the meantime, Rin and Yukimuya shadowed Murano's every move. They followed him all over the pitch without allowing him a single inch of space to receive the ball.
He only needed Murano to tie up the players and keep them busy, creating yards of space for him. Murano keeping his marks occupied would leave plenty of gaps for Chigiri to exploit.
Murano was confident in his pace, stamina, and endurance, despite the fact that his system integration process was only at 9%. He could easily take his opponents for a ride around the pitch.
For the next few minutes, Chigiri ran around the midfield without pausing to rest. However, Rin and Yukimuya persisted. They continued shadowing Murano's every move as Chigiri moved the ball around the pitch. In a way, they managed to isolate him.
Murano wanting to try the godspeed while it was still at 9% bolted like the wind past Rin, Yukimuya then Barou, advancing in the right wing and charging into Team B's half. Chigiri then sent a teasing chip-cross into the penalty area toward Murano. His movement was swift and effective, leaving no chance for Bachira or Isagi to close him down.
Murano confidently chested the ball up. Before Rin could react to the Murano, he unleashed a bicycle kick into the net. The ball zoomed past the Blue Lock Man like a bullet and curled into the top right corner.
GOAL!!!!
5-1
(A/N: Hi readers, I'll be posting a possible formation for the U-20 match in the comment section. I may need some suggestions to fill up the rest of the positions or existing positions. Feel free to make suggestions, I'll kindly take it into consideration.)