A goal gets smashed into the top right corner of the goalpost, and the final whistle blows.
All players jump on the goal scorer in excitement, celebrating their win.
The match has finished, and everybody is returning home. The defeated team, shattered and in despair, is lying on the ground. The coach of the team is yelling at the defense line for not doing their job properly. The captain of the team thinks in his mind: Why are you so angry? We are just 12-year-old kids who want to have fun. While he is thinking this, the coach starts yelling at him about his lack of effort and seriousness. Suddenly, the striker of the team, Noel, stands up. The coach, staring into his eyes, sees a blend of despair, anger, and emptiness.
Noel: Coach, I have decided. I have changed my goal. From now, I will destroy every striker that sets foot on the pitch. I will become the greatest defender in the world.
After saying that, Noel leaves the pitch.
While walking back home, he is frustrated because of the loss. He regrets every mistake he made in the game. He is angry about his performance. He clenches his fists and decides that he is going to become the best player. He says to himself: Now, playing football for fun is over. He decides that from now on, he will take football seriously and become a professional footballer.
The next day at the training ground:
Coach: Noel, start working on improving your finishing. You missed a lot of easy chances yesterday.
Noel: But Coach, I told you yesterday that I will play as a defender from now on.
Coach: Are you mad? You haven't played a single minute as a defender. Forget about being a defender; just do what I tell you.
Noel: Coach, I have decided to play as a defender. I won't play as a striker.
Coach: If you want to play on this team, play as I tell you or leave.
Noel (his eyes turning dark): Okay, then. I have decided to leave this team. Anyway, playing in a school team won't make me good enough to play professionally.
Noel, fuming, leaves the ground and returns home.
He thinks: What now? I left the school team. I don't know how to play as a defender. I don't have a coach to train with. What should I do?
He is worried, regretting his decision. He is doubting himself.
He thinks of giving trials for some football academies, but he knows that he won't get selected as a defender. He tells himself, however, that his summer break starts tomorrow, so he will train all by himself during this time.
Suddenly, everything changes when his mom comes.
Mother: Hey, Noel, I have some exciting news!
Noel (in despair): What is it, Mom?
Mother: Your uncle is going to live with us for three months.
Noel: Really, Mom?!
Mother: Yes!
Noel realizes that this is a great opportunity for him because his uncle is a football coach at a college. He gets excited and decides to train with his uncle. But until his uncle arrives, he decides to train by himself using tutorials online.
Next day
Noel wakes up early and gets ready for training he watches some tutorials online and tries to train by himself but soon he realizes that he cannot train without proper team and a good coach so he decides to not learn any techniques but to improve his physical abilities like stamina and speed. A few days pass by and Noel is struggling with training all by himself but his problems are short-lived with the arrival of his uncle.
He is happy to see his uncle after a many years. And is excited to train with him.
Noel: Uncle! I am happy that you came for 3 months
Uncle: Honestly I was going to come for a few days but EFL 2 (English Football League two) club Bromley have asked me to coach their youth academy for 3 months.
Noel's excitement soon fades away when he gets to know that his uncle is going to train Bromley youth academy. His hopes shatter when he realizes that his uncle won't be able to train him.
Uncle: Hey kid how's your football games going, and what about your dream of becoming a Stricker.
Noel: Actually Uncle I'm not a striker anymore.
Uncle: What! did they change your position, let me talk to your school coach.
Noel explains his uncle the whole story
Noel: So I was hoping that you will train me to become a good defender but you are going to train Bromley.
Uncle: So that's the problem, don't worry I will ask Bromley board about your admission to their youth academy. I know you've gotten the potential to become pro footballer.
Noel gets excited by hearing this and enjoys his time with his uncle.
Next day
Uncle: Noel ! The Bromley board has accepted my request of admitting you In their academy.
Noel (His eyes bright and his face with a smile): Thanks Uncle! You are the best.
Uncle: But they will let you stay there for only 3 months
Noel (His happiness fades away): What! Why only 3 months
Uncle: Don't worry, they told me if you play good then they might let you stay there and I believe in you skills and I know that you will impress them
Next day Uncle takes Noel to Bromley training ground. There Noel sees all the talented players training. Suddenly his eyes turn dark, dark as the void. His uncle sees Noel's eyes and gave a little smirk.
His uncle stop the training and gathers all players. He then introduces Noel.
Uncle: This is Noel. Nephew of mine he will be playing in this academy with you guys.
The team gives a cold reaction and isn't happy about Noel's arrival
Player 1 (Whispering to Player 2): hey don't you think coach admitted his nephew here by using his links with the club board
Player 2: Shut up idiot. Obviously he did that, No club would want a loser like him
Noel hears there gossips and gets sad
Aiku (Captain of youth team): Now now guys let's welcome this kid with some excitement
The team obeys their captain and welcome Noel, but Noel is sad because he knows that the team doesn't like him. While Noel was thinking about this the fitness coach arrives and tells Noel to give fitness test. Noels performed great in his fitness test. The result came and everybody was shocked to hear that Noel is the fittest player in the team.
Noel gets a confidence boost by this, seeing him confident his Uncle told him to defend against their teams Ace Stricker Kaizen. Noel is confident and thinks that he can easily get the ball from Kaizen. He believes that his past experience as a Stricker will help him in defending.
The duel starts and Kaizen is waiting with the ball for Noel to come and try to take the ball from him, Noel runs towards Kaizen and try to get the ball but Kaizen start dribbling and showing his tricks. Noel tried his best to get the ball but couldn't do so. The whistle blows and the duel is over. Noel's depressed by his performance as he couldn't take the ball from Kaizen even once. Aiku comes and puts his hand on Noels shoulder
Aiku: Don't worry Noel, better luck next time
Noel (In a frustrated tune): What will luck do. Even if luck is in my favour I still won't be able to get the ball from Kaizen.
Aiku: I will train you myself
Noel: What! I don't even know you, how will you teach me how to defend
Kaizen: Shut up you fool! Don't you even know Aiku he is the backbone of this team he is our Captain and the best Defender in this league
Noel: Oh so he is The Wall of Bromley: Aiku
Aiku: Oh don't embarrass me hehe. I will train you from Tomorrow on
Noel gets happy by hearing this but he still is feeling the sadness of his embarrassing defeat
While returning home his uncle gave him his new football kit and boots, and they returned home
Next day
Noel reaches the ground early thinking that Aiku will come soon and that is why he is such a good defender. He must be training hard but to his surprise when he went to the training ground, nobody was there. After some time Kaizen came to train but he didn't even look at Noel. Noel knew that the team hasn't accepted him because they think he is here because of his uncle (Though that is true). He waits for Aiku, everybody came and is training but Aiku
didn't come. Noel gets frustrated by Aiku not coming on time but when he was thinking of leaving Aiku came. Noel clenched his fists in frustration and was trying to control his anger
Aiku: Haha, I hope I didn't make you wait for long
Noel (trying to control his anger): No not at all
Aiku: Now let's get started
He takes Noel to the pitch and teaches him some defending techniques. Noel is quickly getting hang of things but Aiku is a bit feared by seeing how Noel's eyes turned fully black when he entered the ground but he ignores that.
After the training
Aiku: Nice Noel, you are actually good. Just some more training and you will be able to defend properly.
Noel: Oh really.
Aiku: Yes
Noel: Does that mean that I will get chance to play in tomorrow's match
Aiku starts laughing uncontrollably
Noel: Did I say something funny?
Aiku: Yes you did. Do you really think you can play a match by only training one day. Don't get ahead of yourself
Noel realizes that he has a long way to go and decides to work hard
A few weeks later on the training ground
Noel: On I am tired, how long I have to do this
Aiku (Gets frightened by seeing Noel's full black eyes): You can stop now you did well
Aiku is proud of Noel that he has managed to learn so much In such short short span of time
Aiku: Hey Noel listen, I talked to the manager about you.
Noel: Oh what did you say to uncle
Aiku: I told him that you are ready to get in the squad
Noel (His heart starts beating fast): Really!
Aiku: Yeah but don't get ahead of yourself you are probably going to be on the bench and won't get any play time
Noel excitement fades by hearing this but he still has hope that he might get few minutes of game time.
The Bromley board meeting
Chairman: This is the First time our team has reached the final of academy tournament. We have to utilize this opportunity and win the tournament and prove others that out team reaching the final wasn't a fluke.
Board Member: Yes, winning the tournament will our club famous and we might attract some good sponsors next season.
President: This match will have a lot of viewers after all we are playing against Liverpool academy
Chairman: Manager (Noel's uncle) we want you to win this match. This match is very important.
Uncle: Yes I will do my best.
1 day before match
Noel checks the squad and is happy to see his name in the squad. Though he isn't in the playing 11 he still his happy to make it to the bench.
Match day
The whistle blow and the match starts
It is clear the Liverpool is the dominating team. Their young talent are showing no signs of struggle. Their striker Salah Jr moves forward with the ball and starts the attack. He pierces through Bromley team and makes his way to the goal post. He fires a shot and everybody in the crowd is sure that this is going to be a goal. But the crowd went silent, everybody is shocked about what happened. Bromley's captain Aiku managed to block the shot and cleared the ball. Bromley start their counter attack but they Liverpool defenders take the ball from Bromley players.
It's half time and the score is 0-0 Nobody could score. It seemed like only Liverpool and Aiku were playing the game. Aiku was frustrated by the team and their lack of effort. Kaizen is angry on himself for not performing but has decided to give his all in the second half
The second half starts
Kaizen takes the ball while he is angry and rushes towards the goalpost. He managed to pierce through the Liverpool defense and scored a fabulous goal. Everybody is shocked by how he did that. The media is saying that maybe Kaizen is the next Ronaldo.
Kunigami, Liverpool other attacker is frustrated an decides to copy Kaizen and do the same things. He also rushes towards the goalpost manages to get past Bromley team. But in front of him is Aiku. Kunigami is frustrated and decides to use his signature move *false foot* where he uses his weak foot to dribble so that the defender gets confused and in the time when the defender is confused kunigami gets ahead of the defender. He uses it on Aiku and gets past him. The crowd shouts in excitement everybody his happy. Suddenly a tackle comes and kunigami fell on the ground. The other defender managed to save the goal but he got a yellow card and Liverpool are given a penalty. The defender tries to get up, when he got up he felt pain in his ankle. He realizes that he broke his ankle. The team gets shocked by hearing this as they only have one defender on the bench and its Noel. The team doesn't trust him and thinks that they are doomed. When the manager gets to know about the injury he substitutes the injured defender with Noel.
Noel steps on the pitch, he feels the pressure, he feels the intense aura on the pitch but he is excited for playing football on this grand level.
Aiku: Hey Noel don't be nervous just focus on the game and give it your best
Noel shakes his head in agreement.
Now it's time for Liverpool penalty. Salah Jr one of the best young talents in England is going to take the penalty.
All eyes are on Salah Jr. He takes a deep breath and smashes the ball into the goalpost
Now the score is equal again. The crowd is cheering liverpool. The match has changed tides Liverpool have the momentum now.
The match continues
Liverpool are putting a lot of pressure on Bromley. Bromley are nearly holding together their defense. There are only ten minutes left. Liverpool starts attacking. Kunigami and Salah Jr are passing the ball to each other and coming closer to the goalpost. Salah Jr has the ball and he starts dribbling forward. Noel sees Salah Jr come.
This is the time to prove my worth. To show the world what I have got, Noel thinks
As Salah Jr junior tries to dribble past Noel, Noel somehow takes the ball from him and passes it. His teammates are shocked by Noel defending. Some of them are thinking that maybe Noel is not that bad. Bromley tries to attack but they are not able to score against Liverpool. The match is going on the extra time as the score is equal.
Match starts
Bromley are attacking. Their attackers are playing brilliantly. They manage to pass the ball to Kaizen who is near goal. Kaizen received the ball, gets closer to the ball and shoots it. All eyes are fixed in anticipation. Liverpool's goal quickly dives towards the ball and blocks the shot. Liverpool start the counter attack. They move the ball quickly trying to convert the chance into a goal. The ball is now in kunigami's control he tries to dribble past past the Bromley defense. Noel is in front of him trying to get the ball but kunigami uses his signature move *false* *foot* and gets past Noel only to see Aiku waiting for him. Aiku is confident because he knows kunigami's secret trick and won't be able to use it again. Kunigami starts to use his signature move but Aiku confidently came to get the ball from him. Suddenly kunigami passes the ball in the free space behind Aiku to Salah Jr. Aiku is surprised and frustrated on himself that how didn't he see what kunigami's plan is. Now it's one versus one. Salah Jr against Bromley Goalkeeper. Everybody is nervous, the crowd is silent it feels like nobody is in stadium. Salah Jr smashes the ball into the net and its a Goal!
The stadium became alive again everybody in the crowd is celebrating, the Liverpool team is celebrating crazily. Suddenly a wave of dread swept through the crowd as the offside flag went up. Liverpool teams happiness fades away as they get to know that the goal was offside. The match continues, both teams try to score but were not able to score. Extra time is over but the Score is 1-1. The winner will be decided by penalties.
The penalties start. The situation is tension, everybody can feel the pressure on the pitch. Both team try their best to score and both team score 4-4 penalties. Now it's time for the fifth penalty of Liverpool. Kunigami takes it, he puts the ball on the ground takes s long breath and smashes the ball in the top right corner of the goal post. Noel saw this goal and suddenly he felt different, he felt hatred he wanted to destroy everything his eyes turn dark again. Now Aiku will take the fifth penalty for Bromley. He puts the ball on the ground and tries to concentrate on the penalty. Suddenly Noel comes towards Aiku, everybody is confused on what is happening
Noel (staring dead into Aiku's eyes): Hey Aiku, I move from here. I will score the penalty
Aiku: Are you gone crazy idiot, get lost
Kaizen: Hey Noel let him score don't disturb him
Noel (says angrily): I told you that I will take it
Aiku gets a bit scared by seeing Noel's eyes turn full black. It seems like he is starting at void. As Aiku was thinking about this Noel ran towards the ball and shot the ball. It seemed like a rocket launcher launched the ball. Noel shot the ball perfectly, he shot it towards the top right corner. The goalkeeper also dove in that direction but the shot was too fast, the Goalkeeper won't reach the ball. Boom!
A wave of happiness spread in the crowd, the crowd has gone crazy. The ball hit the crossbar and didn't went in. Liverpool has won the match. Everybody in Bromley team is frustrated, they are angry at Noel. The club president comes on the pitch and puts his hand on Noel's shoulder and wickedly says "You are expelled" and then leaves. Noel is devastated. He is feeling terrible, tears are running down his eyes. He doesn't get it. What happened? How did it happen? Why did I do it? Noel is asking himself every possible question that exists on the planet.
He tries to talk to Aiku but he frustratingly ignores him and leaves.
Noel lies on the ground in despair, tears running down his eyes.
A few minutes later
Everybody left the stadium even his uncle left. His uncle his also frustrated with him and didn't take Noel with him. While Noel is lying on the ground he saw a skinny guy look at him. Laughing at Noel. Noel got scared and stood up and left the stadium. When he returned home he was shocked to see his parents frustrated. He was confused on why they are frustrated by Noel's loss. He talks to his mother
Noel: Mother, why are you frustrated
Mother: listen son, I am noticing these day that you only focus on football these days and aren't focusing on your studies
Father: Your mother is right, you should focus on studies rather than focusing on football.
If you don't study well and get good grades then we won't let you play football
Noel heart sank has he heard this. Now he is surrounded by problems. Wherever he sees there is a problem. He gets depressed by his situation, the odds are stacking against his favor. What will Noel do now? Will he be able to get back in Bromley, Will he be able to get into any academy? Will he be able to even play football? Is it the end of his dream?