**Cleiton's Status Updated Before the Tournament:**
—
Attributes:
Physical:
Strength: F+ > E-
Speed: F > F+
Agility: F+ > E
Stamina: E > E+
Mental:
Focus: E- > E
Resilience: E+
Discipline: E+
Technical:
Positioning: F+ > E-
Defensive Awareness: F+ > E-
Game IQ: F > F+
Standing Tackle: F+ > E-
Interception: F+ > E-
Jumping: F+
Heading: F
Pass Accuracy: F > F+
—
Cleiton was resting on the bus seat, waiting to arrive in Mata de São João, the city where the tournament would take place. The two-hour journey was almost over, and he felt the weight of responsibility mixed with the thrill of competition. The bus was quiet, with the Vitória players scattered across their seats, most of them trying to relax before the big day. Cleiton had his eyes closed, his head leaning back against the seat, when suddenly a system notification interrupted the silence.
The system's voice echoed in his mind, followed by a visual message:
'The system has issued a special mission as it has detected that the host will participate in a tournament.'
'Special Mission'
'Info: Complete the goals to earn rewards.'
---
OBJECTIVES:
Goal 1: Be a starter in 1 game;
Reward: Stamina Elixir RANK D-
Goal 2: Make 5 tackles;
Reward: Standing Tackle Elixir RANK E+
Goal 3: Complete 20 accurate passes;
Reward: Pass Accuracy Elixir RANK E+
Goal 4: Maintain a passing accuracy of 60% or higher;
Reward: 200 system points.
Goal 5: Help your team concede only 3 goals or fewer during the championship;
Reward: Unlock the system's spin wheel.
Goal 6: Win the MVP award of the tournament;
Reward: 1,000 system points.
Goal 7: Help your team win the tournament title;
Reward: 1 maximum-level system spin ticket.
---
Cleiton blinked several times, trying to process the list of goals and rewards the system had just presented. His eyes scanned the lines repeatedly as he absorbed the information, already thinking about strategies to achieve the objectives. But the loud voice of Coach Cerqueira quickly pulled him back to reality.
"We're finally here! Let's start getting off the bus and get ready for our first match!" the coach shouted with enthusiasm, clearly eager for the tournament to begin.
As Cleiton stepped off the bus, he joined his teammates, following the coach to a designated area near the field. Walking alongside Nathan and Cássio, they chatted about their surroundings. The field was a decent size—not as big as Vitória's stadium, but significantly larger than the dirt field back in their neighborhood. The well-kept, lush green grass made Cleiton think about how different the game could feel in a place like this, far from the rough ground he'd grown used to.
They watched as the crowd arrived, each person carrying bags in hand. The ticket to the tournament was a kilogram of non-perishable food, such as rice, beans, or pasta, as the event aimed to gather supplies for those in need in the community. The crowd's movement, the bright colors of their clothes, and the sense of solidarity infused the atmosphere with positive energy.
The coach gathered all the players in one section of the field, signaling for everyone's attention as he announced the starting lineup for their first game. Vitória would face the local team, Probahia, a club founded by the city to promote sports.
'4-3-3 Lineup'
Goalkeeper: Jaime Filho (1)
Right Back: Cássio (2)
Center-Back: Ricardo Rocha (3)
Center-Back: Marlon Kaio (4)
Left Back: Dieguinho (6)
Defensive Midfielder: Kayque Silva (5)
Central Midfielder: Gabriel Costa (8)
Attacking Midfielder: Claudio Sousa (10)
Right Winger: Rodrigo (11)
Center-Forward: Nathan (9)
Left Winger: Pedrinho (7)
Substitutes: Jhonathan (12), Cleiton (13), Robson (14), Jorge (15), William (19)
*Note: The number in parentheses indicates each player's jersey number.*
'4-3-3 Formation Explanation'
The 4-3-3 formation is ideal for teams that prioritize ball possession, excelling in high-pressure and quick passing exchanges. This setup aims to maintain control of the ball. However, the 4-3-3 can leave open spaces between the center-backs and full-backs, and without adequate movement from the forwards, the center-forward might end up isolated, reducing the team's offensive effectiveness.
---
After the lineup was announced, the team began warming up. Cleiton, among the substitutes, watched the players on the field closely. His close friend, Nathan, appeared focused yet highly motivated. Cleiton knew that even as a substitute, his moment could come at any time. He concentrated on observing the movements of the starting center-backs, Ricardo and Marlon, who seemed solid, communicating well, and playing with confidence. Even in a friendly match, the team was playing with intensity.
The local fans were buzzing, passionately cheering for Probahia. Their shouts and applause echoed through the stands with every move from the local team, but Cleiton noticed how Vitória kept its composure. The competition would be tough, but Vitória was determined to win, and Cleiton felt that this opportunity could be a turning point in his career.
**First Half: Vitória vs. Probahia**
The match kicked off with Vitória taking control of the ball from the first whistle. Claudio Sousa, their number 10, quickly displayed his skill, guiding the team with sharp, intelligent passes. Cleiton watched from the sideline, eyes locked on the field, noting how well his teammates moved, always searching for space. Vitória's defense was solid, and despite Probahia's attempts, goalkeeper Jaime Filho looked calm, handling each play with ease.
In the 23rd minute, a quick play from Vitória's midfield turned into a precise long ball from Claudio Sousa to Nathan, who sprinted up the attacking line. With an agile move, Nathan slipped past his marker and, face-to-face with the keeper, didn't hesitate. He calmly shot into the bottom right corner, putting Vitória ahead.
Vitória 1 x 0 Probahia
Nathan then ran toward the end line, thumping his chest in celebration as if he'd conquered the world. But instead of turning to the crowd, he headed over to the bench, going straight to Cleiton. With a broad grin, he embraced his friend, a gesture full of friendship and camaraderie. Cleiton smiled genuinely, happy for Nathan's goal. He knew how important this moment was for his friend and the team. Nathan had always been a great friend, and seeing him succeed on the field brought Cleiton a sense of pride, as if he himself had scored.
Despite conceding, Probahia's fans continued to cheer passionately for their team, their shouts of encouragement echoing through the stands. Cleiton, even as a substitute, felt the stadium's intense atmosphere. The game was balanced, but Vitória's control and possession were clear, as they dominated the match with ease.
Throughout the first half, Vitória remained strong in both defense and attack, while Cleiton focused on studying the movements of the center-backs, readying himself for a potential chance to enter the game. The whistle blew for halftime, and Vitória was leading with a well-earned advantage, though Cleiton knew nothing was yet decided.
**Halftime: Vitória vs. Probahia**
In the locker room during halftime, the atmosphere was a mix of satisfaction and determination. Vitória was leading 1-0, but Coach Cerqueira wasn't entirely pleased with some players' performances. He addressed the group with firmness, but also a motivational tone.
"Great first half, everyone, but we can't get comfortable," Cerqueira began, scanning the faces of each player. "Probahia is still in this, and we know they can get stronger. There are a few things we need to discuss, though."
The players exchanged glances, paying close attention to his words. Cerqueira then turned his gaze to Cássio, Cleiton's teammate at right-back.
"Cássio, you're a key player, and we need more from you. Your involvement in building up our offensive plays was too timid in the first half. You need to be more active, more daring when supporting the attack. If you don't step it up in the second half, I'll have to sub you out. You're good enough for this, so let's see your response now!" Cerqueira commanded, firmly yet encouragingly.
Cássio nodded, understanding the feedback. He knew he could give more, and he was determined to change things in the second half.
**Second Half: Vitória vs. Probahia**
When the whistle blew, the second half began, and within just 10 minutes, Vitória extended their lead.
The play that led to the goal started with Cássio, who, after recovering the ball in defense, quickly passed to Claudio, the number 10, who immediately returned it to him.
Cássio then executed a one-two with Rodrigo, the right winger, and carried the ball all the way to the byline. He delivered a perfectly timed cross, and Nathan, with a flawless leap, got in front of the opposing center-back and headed the ball into the net, leaving the keeper no chance.
Vitória 2 x 0 Probahia
The stadium erupted in applause, and a now-confident Cássio was the first to reach Nathan, celebrating the goal together. Nathan, smiling with the joy of knowing how much this goal meant for him and the team, raised his arms toward the fans.
By the 20th minute, Coach Cerqueira made a few substitutions, preparing the team for the remainder of the game. He called Dieguinho, the left-back, who looked visibly tired, and replaced him with Robson, number 14. Claudio, also exhausted, made way for Jorge, number 15, and finally, Marlon Kaio, the starting center-back, was substituted by Cleiton, who now had his chance to step onto the field.
As Cleiton walked onto the pitch, he felt the game's energy. He quickly positioned himself and focused on his defensive role, waiting for his moment to shine. At first, he made a few quiet but effective interceptions, displaying his steadiness in defense.
He struggled a bit with high balls, something he'd been concerned about given that his jumping skills weren't the best. Nonetheless, he positioned himself well and prevented the opponents from creating major threats.
Despite a few minor errors, like an inaccurate pass that didn't lead to a goal thanks to his teammates' support, Cleiton grew more comfortable in the game. He knew he needed to stay focused, as the game was still underway. His performance was solid, and he was making his presence felt on the pitch.
In the 30th minute of the second half, a seemingly routine play turned into a spectacular moment.
Pedrinho, number 7, received the ball near midfield in a position where few would expect an offensive drive. But Pedrinho, always unpredictable, had other plans. With a skillful touch, he pulled the ball to the side, slipping past the first Probahia defender who approached to intercept him.
The defender tried to recover, but Pedrinho, already ahead, accelerated, keeping control with precise touches.
Moments later, another defender appeared, trying to close down space to halt Pedrinho's advance. With a swift body feint, Pedrinho tricked him with a slight shift in direction, leaving him behind and drawing cheers from the crowd. The roars from the stands grew louder, and Vitória's supporters celebrated each move Pedrinho made.
As he neared the penalty area, a third defender stepped in, attempting to block Pedrinho's angle of attack. Pedrinho maked a fake shot to the right, and then, with a light step to the left, dribbled past the marker, who had already committed in the wrong direction.
Now, Pedrinho was just a few meters from the area, with a clear view of Nathan, positioned in an open spot inside the box, ready to finish.
Pedrinho sent a precise, low pass to Nathan's feet, as though he'd measured each inch of the field. Nathan, calm and precise, simply had to tap the ball into the net, with the goalkeeper completely out of position after Pedrinho's dribbles.
Vitória 3 x 0 Probahia
The ball hit the back of the net, and the stadium erupted in celebration. Cleiton, watching from the defense, felt a surge of euphoria as he saw his friend complete the hat trick. Nathan's smile was contagious, and without a second thought, he ran toward Pedrinho to embrace him, thanking him for the assist.
This play, defined by Pedrinho's boldness and Nathan's opportunism, sealed Vitória's victory.
With the match effectively decided, the game slowed down until the final whistle.
The referee blew to end the game, and Vitória's players shook hands, knowing they'd fulfilled their duties with excellence. Despite the loss, Probahia's players also approached to congratulate the Vitória squad, showing respect for their opponents' solid performance.
The field, now nearly empty, prepared for the next match as Vitória's players gathered in a circle to celebrate their win. Cleiton felt a mix of joy and satisfaction, knowing that this journey had only just begun.
Author's Note:
First, I'd like to mention that this note won't count toward the word count for the chapter, which I aim to keep between 1,800 and 2,000 words from here on out.
Second, this was my first attempt at writing a football match. Despite everything, I think I did a decent job. I didn't want to go too deep into the details of the match itself, since it's just one game in a small championship, and I felt it might be too much to dedicate two or three chapters to this single game. That said, let me know in the comments if you think this was a good decision, or if it could be improved, and depending on your feedback, I might adjust my approach in the future.
Third, I was somewhat hesitant about presenting the lineup in such detail and including explanations about how the 4-3-3 formation works. I worried it might come across as an info dump that readers wouldn't enjoy. However, after talking with a friend, I decided to include it this way, mainly to help those who may not know much about football but are reading the novel. Again, your feedback on whether this approach works or not would be really appreciated.
Thank you for all the support and encouragement!