Elian was overjoyed as he watched Noah finish the header in such a clinical manner.
*Ding!*
Elian heard the notification from the system and even though he didn't click to open it, he knew what it was all about. One more assist needed to level up.
Meanwhile, skill boost had entered its 30 minutes cool down and he had 95 stamina points left. The only reason he had used skill boost confidently back there was because he knew it had no backlash, and it would be much better to gain the advantage earlier in the game. Only about twenty minutes had passed since the game began and yet, they were already leading by one goal, a goal which Elian was the sole architect. Of course, Oliver too had done well, but Elian's own playmaking was something else.
Arlo passed the ball back towards Xander, a CM. Xander passed the ball to a feeling midfielder who stood beside him. They passed the ball slowly but surely, slowly starting another attack chain. They were already down, so they couldn't take stupid risks and end up conceding another goal.
Arlo suddenly made a run into his opponents defense, his movement was streamlined and effortless, managing to somehow throw the defense into confusion.
"That's it." Meta spoke quickly. "That's False 9. He hasn't perfected it yet and it's still lacking so much, but it's pretty effective."
Elian stared at Arlo who was moving easily on his toes and managing to dodge the defenders who tried to hold onto him or screen him out.
Jude passed the ball to Xander who lost him marker with a quick turn that helped him meander through the surrounding opponents.
Xander lobbed a ball through to Arlo who had successfully created confusion amongst most of the defenders using his false 9 tactics, but he had not yet perfected it, so more defenders were free from his confusing footwork.
Ivan jumped high and cleared the ball, cutting it away from Arlo. But he had not cleared it far, Oscar, The LF for PSG had run into space, controlling the ball perfectly.
Oscar wasted no time in releasing another cross and Arlo connected perfectly with the ball, releasing a stunning header.
Dean Tyler dived as far as his weight and body could allow him, and thankfully, it was enough.
Dean knocked the ball away, giving PSG the first corner of the game.
The corner was taken quickly, with Xander crossing the ball into the penalty area, but Dean was quick to run out and welcome the ball into his graceful gloves. He lay on the floor, not being in the slightest rush to release the ball.
The score between the two teams on an aggregate was still 1-0, as their first match had ended in a nil-nil draw, with Elian missing a penalty. He had made up for that now, though.
Time was passing and PSG was no longer that comfortable with the score, they were no longer allowing City to pass the ball easily without putting in much effort.
Oscar ran forward, assisting Arlo with the marking in their opponents penalty area, they had switched to high press as the first half was fast finishing and they were still losing.
City's U-19 team was forced to pass the ball backwards to Dean who wasted no time in launching the ball in, clearing leading it very far towards Arlo.
The CB of PSG, a blonde boy with curly hair ran towards Arlo, his eyes on the falling ball.
Using the advantage of momentum and flight, he jumped towards the ball, heading it towards City's goal.
The header was a far reaching one, and it went towards no time in particular, leaving the players to do a race.
Arlo spead away, chasing down the ball, he was certainly faster than the defenders and he was going to reach the ball first, and he did. That hurdle he had pass, but how was he going to deal with the number of defenders that suddenly crowded him?
He certainly didn't possess a system and there was no way he was going to unleash something crazy like skill boost and dribble past the many defenders.
But Arlo was an exceptional player, full of talent. Arlo faced the Defenders, there was no sign of fear or panic on his face, he was going to take on all those defenders if it need be.
Arlo hesitated for a while, dragging his feet and slowing the pace of the ball down. It wasn't a long time before he found what he was looking for. Suddenly, Arlo quickened and his eyes narrowed at a target. He raised his leg to cross the ball into the penalty area where Oscar had run into space but the many defenders stretched their limbs, blocking him.
But that didn't bother Arlo, he never intended on crossing the ball in the first place. Arlo changed his form and passed the ball to Jude who had overlapped.
Jude flicked the ball beautifully to his side, doing a spin as he did so.
But he didn't see what was behind him.
"Now!" Meta shouted in Elian's head.
Elian delayed not. He quickly accelerated madly and slid too, cutting off the pass and bringing the ball to a halt.
Elian turned around and raced forward, running even faster and faster. He felt Game reading activate again and that was when he really understood the meaning of passive skills. They activated on their own, when the situation called for it, it was the system intervening.
Elian had barely taken a few steps forward, he had not even raised his head yet, but he surprisingly had a very clear view of where his teammates where.
Thud!
Elian released a cross, a very high backspin pass. Colt tried to follow the ball but it was a futile attempt, the ball had quickly gone past him, finding the player who had also run behind him.
Asher's control sent the ball rolling forward, towards the GK. PSG's GK dashed out immediately, running towards Asher at high speed.
But he could never be faster than a winger like Asher.
Knowing this, the GK slid towards Asher, looking to knock him off his feet while winning the ball. Asher simply chipped the ball over the GK, watching the ball float beautifully into the back of the net.
GOALLL!!!!!
While everyone celebrated this crazy counter attack, Elian was even happier.
*Ding!*
System notifications.
Congratulations! You have leveled up to level 2, your stamina point cap is now at 200 points. You have unlocked a new skill, click to preview skill.
Elian wasted no time in clicking it.
Second Gravity(Active Skill): Allows you to gain extraordinary balance exceptional center of gravity, making it almost impossible for you to fall. It also grants you more airtime, allowing you to last a second longer in the air. Duration: 1minute. Cost: 15 stamina points. Backlash: Makes your limbs feel stiff for 5minutes.
Score a cracker to level up to level 3.
Elian smiled widely as he closed the system notification. Now, let the real game begin.