Meanwhile, on the pitch, Iwai also started to scowl, frustration building inside him. It was clear that their early pressure tactic failed, and now, after Yuwell’s last attack, they didn’t dare to charge forward blindly, which, in consequence, allowed Sapporo Otani to get into their rhythm.

It didn’t mean like the home team was in a clear advantage and could score at any time they wanted, but at least, for Ritsumeikan, they would be under so much pressure for a while, and now they had to find a way to get out of it as quickly as possible.

’The only saving grace here is that Yuwell hasn’t been that much of a threat so far, but there is no way he could be tamed for too long. No, we have to get something first to put them on a leash.’ He shook his head quickly, glancing at the opponent’s player with the number 16 who had been shadowing him for so long. ’Fuck it, I need to shake him off quickly!’

Yeah, it had been twenty minutes, and yet, he still failed to produce anything worth mentioning from a player of his caliber. There was only one thing that prevented him from doing so, and that was the player who kept pestering him no matter where he went: Sapporo Otani’s stubborn DM, Hiroyuki.

Just like their last game in the past, Iwai couldn’t even touch the ball for more than two meters before the boy pushed him from behind. Not enough to bring him down or even get him a foul, but still enough to announce the boy’s presence to him.

’No, I cannot let myself get entangled with this shit.’ He scowled, starting to drop back behind the center line. ’I have to get the ball first.’

With him dropping back, Hiroyuki didn’t dare to follow him. After all, if the boy foolishly followed him, there would be a hole in Sapporo Otani’s midfield, and even without Iwai there, the other Ritsumeikan players would fill up that spot to overwhelm them.

Of course, that didn’t mean Sapporo Otani would let go of their pressure on Iwai. If anything, Yuwell Carlson also dropped back, chasing Iwai and trying to get the ball here. However, the boy was also not a paper tiger.

Instead of avoiding the Swedish striker, he charged forward, challenging his opponent to a race. Hell, even when Yuwell tried to charge in with shoulder to shoulder, Iwai didn’t even bulge, showing that his muscles weren’t just a display. Even if he was about 15 cm shorter, the boy still managed to hold his own ground, dragging Yuwell back to Sapporo Otani’s own half.

"Shit! Hiroyuki, gang him!"

"Yuma, move! Let me beat this shit up!"

Soon enough, Iwai was being surrounded here. On his left, Yuwell was still chasing, and on the right, Hiroyuki also tried to pull the boy’s jersey. On the other hand, right where Iwai was running, Rin Mito had already waited, ready to be the guillotine that killed the boy’s journey.

Everyone held their breath unconsciously when they saw this, somehow rising from their chair with their expressions tensing. Higo was also the same, as he also muttered, "Damn, when those four are on the same scene like this, it really feels like an elite football, huh?"

Of course, while the audience was in awe, the ones in action weren’t thinking too much. Iwai gritted his teeth, trying so hard to maintain his balance. However, he didn’t have any thought of backing down, knowing that this chance would never come twice in today’s game.

’Come on... I have to time it perfectly... I have to wait... For... Now!’

Brugh!

Before Iwai could even get closer to Rin Mito, Hiroyuki had already made his move, extending his left foot to trip Iwai. The boy stumbled a little bit, but he still managed to send a high chip above Rin Mito, one that Sapporo Otani’s captain couldn’t reach.

There, on the half-space area close to the left flank, Iwai’s teammate with the jersey number 8 was making his run, entering the penalty box as he tried to get the ball. Seeing this, the referee pointed forward, telling everyone that the foul was nullified due to Ritsumeikan’s advantage.

"YES! COME ON, TAKESHI!"

"KILL IT!"

All the Ritsumeikan players watched in anxiety as they saw their number 8 running for his life to get the ball. There was no better chance that they could have had in this game other than this, and if they missed this, they would probably regret it for the rest of the game.

Meanwhile, Yuma Igari was also tracking back the ball, ready to make a big tackle if it was necessary. He also had to keep his eyes on the middle, afraid that a cutback would come to that side. So, the boy was completely restrained, not being able to go freely for the ball.

In the end, though, from a difficult angle, the number 8 player, Takeshi, recoiled his left foot, trying to get a shot. Yuma Igari noticed this, as the boy had already put his feet on the way. Not only that, but the goalkeeper also covered the near post area, not giving the opponent any chance to aim at the goal.

However, it seemed that the universe was siding with Ritsumeikan High here.

Even with him so close to the baseline, not having any angle to shoot and having two blockers in front of him, Takeshi still tried to force his way for a shot. Then...

BAM!

It got through Yuma Igari’s body, passing through the space between the goalkeeper’s legs before the ball bounced slightly on that goalkeeper’s heel, making it change direction straight to the goal.

It took a moment for everyone to realize. After all, this goal really came out of nowhere. Hell, even Takeshi, the goal scorer himself, was still freezing on the spot, too dumbfounded to utter any words. However, after waiting for a moment, the referee finally blew the whistle, confirming that the goal was valid.

That was when everything finally sank in, and hell broke loose immediately.