In a large stadium, a symphony of cheers erupted, as a sea of excited fans filled the stands. A vibrant mixture of colors adorned the crowd, waving flags and jerseys of their favorite teams and players. The air buzzed with anticipation, and the collective energy was palpable. Roaring cheers cascaded down from tier to tier, creating an electric atmosphere that echoed with the shared enthusiasm of passionate supporters.
In the midst of the vibrant cheers, the two teams marched onto the pitch in orderly lines, cllad in their respective school jerseys. The squad to the left donned orange and black jerseys, while their counterparts on the right sported blue and white striped jerseys.
The towering scoreboard overhead proudly announced the clash between Ryuunsoke High School and Goshogawara High School, casting a spotlight on the impending showdown.
Aizaki Kawada, a first - year forward looked around a sense of excitement taking over him. He thought back to when he first got into this new world.
He was firsted shocked and confused because the last thing he remembered was getting hit by a truck, and although he didn't know where or how he got here, he was certain he had died and somehow reincarnated. At first he was depressed thinking of his family crying at his funeral, he quickly got over it when he realized he could chase his dreams without interference from his parents like in his previous life, hence cheered up really quickly.
He looked at his jersey carrying his school name Ryuunsoke High School printed on the front with the number 11 beneath it, and then looked behind him at the spectators and spotted his elder brother sitted in the stands. Their eyes met and his brother waved at him to which he waved back.
Finally after shaking hands with the opponents team, and tossing the coin, it was time to begin the match. Both teams arranged themselves on the pitch eagerly awaiting the kickoff whistle.
Becaused his team lost the coin toss, their opponents Goshogawara High School started with the ball.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he heard the commentator say, "welcome to the finals of the Interhigh preliminaries. We have a special matchup for you today between Ryuunsuke High school and Goshogawara High school. What makes this finals extra special is the fact that both of the teams here today have never gotten this far in this tournament. Meaning no matter who wins here tonight, history will be made. And don't forget that whichever teams wins here tonight, will qualify for the Nationals and have a chance to fight for the title of The Strongest high school Football Club, so the players will be extra motivated today."
"To my right attacking towards the left, we have the Goshogawara High school players looking sharp as usual. Adopting a 4-4-2 formation, their lineup goes as follows;
In goal Kihou Oomune(GK) the veteran goalie who has only let in three goals throughout this tournament, Hiruga Kamite(LB), Sadayo Kushi(RB), Setsunoshin Kitayaki(CB), and Ozumi Jikishi(CB) complete the defense.
In The midfield, Hara Tanehata(LM) Inumaru Ikuzeki(CM), Ichigo Kitasaku(CM), and Nukiaki Suna(RM).
And the two forwards are Aiiro Gokyu(ST) and Runoka Shihi(ST) have a combined total of 11 goals with Ronoka Shihi leading the highest goal scorers list with 8 goals so far. On the bench is Murasakimaru Konodera, Shingenoshin Taguchidani, Shichika Yanosaka, and Utai Yokomiso.
Ryuunsuke High school attacking from left to right, with a 3-4-3 formation, their lineup goes as follows; In goal Sukekiyo Kaharazaki(GK), With Chuuya Shimonoe(CB) Shizu Hosoki(CB), and Marisu Tamadate(CB) holding down the defense.
Occupying the midfield, we have Amatski Uetsuke(LM), Amu Banguchi (RM), Satoharu Imamaeda (CM), and Yuzuhi Koezumi(CM).
And in attack, Hidefumi Seibe(RW), Yoo Etsudou(ST), and Aizaki Kawada(LW) Who currently leading the assist rankings with a total of 7 assists in this tournament. On the bench is Ketsu Komito, Bou Muroya, Mitsuki Hokkou, and zekou Mikou.
Aizaki smiled a bit when he heard them mention his name. He had chosen to play the same position as in his previous life, hence working tirelessly on his dribbling, passing, crossing, and shooting. He currently had 5 goals and 7 assists in this tournament.
Shaking his head to clear his mind, he forced himself to focus on the match waiting for the referee to blow his whistle.
Fweeep!!
As soon as the whistle sounded, Runoka the Goshogawara High school striker, hit a long pass all the way back towards the defense. Immediately Ryuunsuke High school forwards sped after the ball with the midfield and defense moving up after them.
Ozumi Jikishi, the Goshogawara High school Center back chested the ball down and immediately passed it to the left back Hiruga Kamite. Hiruga received the pass and passed the ball backwards to their captain and Goalkeeper Kihou Oomune.
Kihou without controlling the ball, fired it upfield into Ryuunsuke High school's half as the Goshogawara High school players fell back to defend.
This tactic didn't faze Aizaki and his teammates as they had watched Goshogawara High school matches in preparation for this game. They new that while they were an highly offensive focused team, their opponents were an ultra defensive team. This was going to be a battle between the shield and the spear.
Shizu Hosoki, Ryuunsuke High school's captain controlled the ball beautifully, and immediately send a low driven pass to the midfield.
Yuzuhi Koezumi the central Midfielder trapped the ball, and after a quick one-two pass with Satoharu Imamaeda, his counterpart in the middle of the park, he sent a high pass towards the left where Aizaki was lurking.
Aizaki Kawada brought the ball down skillfully with the inside of left foot before looking up. The few seconds he took to control the ball gave the opponents enough time to close him down, but he wasn't fazed.
He looked up and saw Nukiaki Suna the Goshogawara right Midfielder a few feet away from him, ready to swoop in to collect the ball. He pushed the ball forward a bit towards the defender using the outside of his right foot, then he feigned going right towards the middle of the field, shifting his weight unto his right foot.
Nukiaki saw him shift his weight, and moved to block him, when he threw his right leg over the ball completing a step over with his right leg, before pushing the ball down the flank with his left eliciting cheers from the crowd.
He didn't go far though, as Sadayo the oppositions right back moved in to intercept him. He squared a pass into the middle of the field towards Satoharu who was running parallel to him while pointing with his right hand to the space behind the defender.
Satoharu wasted no time and released a through pass into the open space were Aizaki raced completing a one-two with the winger.
Aizaki raced towards the left corner flag, before floating in a lofted cross into the opponents box wear yoo Etsudou, the huge Ryuunsuke forward was waiting. Yoo leaped up to meet the ball, but was denied by the outstretched hands of the keeper who punched the ball away.
This dynamic continued through out the first half, until a change eventually happened.
During the 40th minute mark, Ryuunsuke High school were awarded a corner kick. Aizaki went to the corner flag to take the corner.
Chuuya Shimonoe and Shizu Hosoki the two tall center backs came forward for the corner, while Yuzuhi and sotaharu the smaller Midfielders went back a bit to prevent a counter attack.
Aizaki raised a hand up to indicate his readiness to take the corner kick. He then ran up to the ball and floated it into the penalty box where his teammates where waiting.
Yoo, Chuuya, and Shizu all jumped to contest for the header, but the ball sailed towards the far post where Hidefumi Seibe Ryuunsuke's right winger was waiting.
Hidefumi wasted no time delivering a volley towards the top left corner of the goalpost, but just as the ball left his boot, a body came into view, blocking the shot.
Setsunoshin Goshogawara's center back put his body in the way of the shot, sending it out of the penalty area and towards Amatski Uetsuke.
Amatski Ryuunsuke's left midfield adjusted his stance aiming for a first time shot at goal, when out of no where, a silhouette burst forth.
Aiiro Gokyu who had been silent the whole game managed to poke the ball free just as Amatski was about to strike it. The sticker then using his impressive pace, burst towards the opposition's goal at full speed, weaving through the remaining players left to defend.
The counterattack was on.
"A Lovely interception by Aiiro, and Goshogawara are on the counter" the commentator said surprise evident in his voice.
"He beats Amatski for pace, he cuts pass Banguchi with lovely footwork bearing down on the opponents goal. Ryuunsuke High school are in trouble for the first time in this game. He runs into the 18 yard box, and is now one -on -one with the keeper. The keeper comes out to meet him, Oh what this!!? He square's the ball into an empty space! Runoka runs into the space to tap the ball into the empty net for the first goal of the game!"
"It's a goal for Goshogawara high school!! They have drawn first blood and are one step away from Victory!! Goshogawara High school -1, Ryuunsuke High school -0"
Cheers erupted from one half of the stadium as the Goshogawara High school supporters celebrated their schools goal.
Runoka the goal scorer ran towards the supporters as he celebrated his ninth goal of the tournament.
After the celebrations, the game kicked off again as Ryuunsuke High attacked the oppositions goal with renowned vigor but unfortunately, the score remainded the same until halftime.