The roar of the crowd was deafening. Etihad Stadium was packed to the brim, a sea of blue and white as Manchester City fans eagerly awaited their team's first match of the season. Across the field, Luton Town stood in a humble cluster, nervous energy radiating from them. Rahmat paced the sidelines, his gaze darting between his players and the formidable lineup of City's stars-Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva, and captain Ruben Dias. Facing a squad brimming with world-class talent, he felt the enormity of the task ahead. Luton had no big names, only three newly introduced players with unknown talent and a ragtag team of scrappy underdogs. The odds weren't just against them; they were staggering.
The loudspeaker blared as the commentators began their pre-match analysis.
"Welcome, everyone, to what should be an interesting match here at Etihad Stadium! Manchester City, with their star-studded lineup, are set to clash against newly-promoted Luton Town, led by Rahmat, a manager with zero experience in English football."
Another commentator, a former player named Derek, chuckled. "No experience is putting it mildly, Jim! This guy's been handed a Premier League team overnight. And let's not forget, almost all of Luton's previous players left with their former manager. Now, Rahmat's had to pull together a team of strangers, including three players I've never even heard of."
Jim chimed in, skeptical, "Yes, Barou Shoei, Aoyama, and Wakabayashi Genzo. The names are foreign, and quite frankly, so is their talent level, as far as we can tell. Luton Town has barely been able to scrape together enough players for a full squad, and now they're up against one of the top teams in the league. I'd say they'll be lucky to keep it below five-nil."
On the field, Rahmat took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself as a familiar voice whispered in his head.
"Rahmat," the System's voice said, echoing in his mind. "This match is crucial. The System will shut down until the next transfer window. You must survive until then, and your standing in the league will determine your rewards."
"What?" Rahmat's heart skipped a beat. "You mean I'll be without the System?"
"Correct. You must use your resources wisely. Focus on teamwork, strategy, and creativity. Your position in the league will unlock further spins. Good luck."
As the voice faded, Rahmat clenched his fists, feeling the weight of the challenge sink in. This was it. From here on, it was up to him and his players alone.
---
The referee's whistle blew, and the match began. Almost instantly, Manchester City took control, their precise passes slicing through Luton's midfield. De Bruyne orchestrated the attack from midfield, his vision and passing as sharp as ever. He slipped the ball forward to Haaland, who sprinted towards Luton's defense with unrestrained power and speed.
In the commentary box, Derek watched eagerly. "Well, City is wasting no time here. They're pushing upfield, looking for an early goal. Luton's defense looks shaky already!"
But just as Haaland prepared to unleash a shot, a figure in a green goalkeeper jersey leaped in front of the ball. Wakabayashi's hands caught it midair, his expression fierce as he held the ball firmly.
"Impressive save by the new keeper, Wakabayashi!" Jim remarked, surprised. "Maybe this guy's got some skill after all."
Haaland scowled, his eyes narrowing at Wakabayashi. "Not bad, but let's see if you can handle this."
Manchester City regained possession, and the assault on Luton's goal intensified. Time and again, De Bruyne and Silva attempted to break through, only to find Wakabayashi an unyielding wall in front of the net. The fans in the stands started murmuring, surprised by the goalkeeper's quick reflexes and unbreakable focus.
Wakabayashi shouted, his voice commanding. "Defense, stay in position! Don't let them break through!"
The Luton defenders, initially uncertain, began rallying around Wakabayashi's leadership, holding their ground and tightening their formation.
Rahmat felt a surge of hope. "That's it, Wakabayashi. Keep them steady!"
Then, on a counterattack, Luton finally saw an opportunity. Aoyama intercepted a pass from Silva, his movement fluid and precise as he turned and sprinted upfield. His composure was uncanny, and despite the looming presence of City's defenders, he kept a calm, unflinching focus.
In the commentary box, Derek sounded skeptical. "Looks like Luton's number eight-Aoyama-has control of the ball. He's... a bit slow, don't you think?"
Jim laughed. "Aoyama seems to have great skill and control, but against City's defense, he doesn't stand a chance."
But Aoyama was unfazed. With the same clean precision he was known for, he sidestepped one City player after another, dodging tackles and weaving through the field, all while keeping his distance from any dirt or overly physical contact. His skill was clinical, like he was in a ballet rather than a high-stakes Premier League match.
As he reached the edge of the penalty box, he glanced over at Barou, who was already charging forward with raw intensity, his eyes locked onto the goal. With a subtle pass, Aoyama sent the ball straight into Barou's path.
Barou smirked, his gaze fierce. "Finally, my turn."
He surged forward, his powerful frame tearing through City's defensive line. Ruben Dias attempted to block him, but Barou outmuscled him, charging ahead with an intensity that left the defenders scrambling. Reaching the penalty area, he unleashed a devastating shot.
The ball flew past Ederson, rattling the net with an almost deafening thud.
"GOAL!" the announcers shouted, their voices filled with shock and disbelief.
The crowd went silent for a brief moment before erupting in surprised cheers and gasps. Luton had scored the opening goal against Manchester City.
Jim stammered, "Unbelievable! That... that was a powerful strike from Barou Shoei! Where did this guy come from?"
Derek sounded equally stunned. "I don't know, Jim, but it seems like Rahmat's new players aren't as clueless as we thought."
Barou jogged back to his side, his expression smug as he glared at the Manchester defenders. "That's just a taste. I'm not here to mess around."
De Bruyne exchanged a look with Haaland, determination etched into their faces. They weren't going to let this stand.
---
The game continued, and Manchester City fought back with everything they had. De Bruyne and Haaland intensified their attacks, pushing Luton to their limits. But Wakabayashi continued to stand tall, blocking every attempt on goal, his focus unwavering.
With every save, every precise pass from Aoyama, and every fierce shot from Barou, Luton's confidence grew. The fans, initially skeptical, began to rally behind their team, their chants filling the stadium.
As the match entered the final minutes, the score remained 1-0 in Luton's favor. City threw everything they had at Luton, desperate to equalize. Haaland finally saw an opening, charging towards Luton's goal with unmatched speed.
"Here it is!" Derek shouted, "Haaland's going for the equalizer! This is Manchester City's last chance!"
Haaland unleashed a powerful shot, the ball rocketing towards the corner of the net. But Wakabayashi was ready. He dived, his outstretched hands meeting the ball mid-air, and with one final, stunning save, he denied Haaland the goal.
The referee's whistle blew, signaling the end of the match.
"Luton Town wins! One-nil against Manchester City!" Jim announced, barely containing his excitement. "What an upset! Who would have thought Luton could pull off a victory here?"
In the commentary box, Derek was stunned. "Rahmat's new players-Wakabayashi, Aoyama, and Barou-have taken the Premier League by storm. This wasn't just luck; these guys have something special."
On the field, Rahmat watched his team celebrate, pride swelling in his chest. They had defied every expectation, every doubt. And now, they'd shown the world what they were capable of.
In his mind, he could almost hear the System's voice, reminding him of the challenge ahead. This was only the beginning. If they could keep this momentum, keep defying the odds, then the rewards awaiting them were unimaginable.