Just as expected, after the goal from Miyashiro, France started to put more pressure on Japan’s defensive line. If before, they were still playing around, this time, Les Bleus exerted more strength, wanting to get back the goal they lost earlier.
However, that didn’t mean Japan would just give in to the opponent so easily. No, if anything, they fought back so hard, knowing that this one-goal lead was a huge capital for them to control the game.
"NAOYA! NAOYA! Don’t move around like that! Support the defense first, don’t rush forward and get baited so easily!"
"Nagai, left! Left! Left! Close him down! Kawabe!"
"Bastard! Don’t tell me what to do!"
BAM!
"FUCK, YEAH!"
It was another chance for France, and this time, they were trying to breach Japan’s side from Kawabe’s side. However, Nagai and Kawabe managed to push that boy to the edge of the byline, and when he tried to play a trick by bouncing the ball to one of the Japanese players closest to him to get a corner kick, those two avoided it perfectly, giving Japan a goal kick.
Still, in this sequence, and in the last few players earlier, everyone could see who was the biggest contributor to stopping France’s attack. It was none other than Makino, who assumed the commander role in Japan’s back line.
It was unusual, since Makino himself was just a mere bench player before this game. Kageyama-sensei also asked Naoya and Miki Yamane to take command, but those two didn’t have the same wide field of view as Makino as the center back. As a result, his experience as the team’s captain kicked in, and he assumed the role perfectly.
Of course, the others didn’t really mind it. Even though Kawabe was still snarky whenever he was told to do something, the boy still followed the order obediently. After all, if one thing worked well, why would they change it abruptly?
Makino himself didn’t really think too much about his new role. No, he had assumed this abruptly, but the boy was 100 percent committed to it. He was so locked in right now, observing everything from his spot. The boy didn’t want to have any leak escape his observation, and the only way to do that was by putting all of his concentration on the pitch.
Unfortunately, that was still not enough.
Even with the defensive line moving as a unit, France’s front line was still the best in the tournament, so it was not easy to suppress them. Just in the next thirty minutes, they had four chances that were so close to Zion’s goal, enough to make Japan sweat.
The first one came from the combination between Amine Gouiri and Michael Cuisance. Their short pass combination managed to bypass Naoya’s annoying defensive movement, and the striker tried to hit the ball from his spot. It was fortunate that his shot was not only weak, but its route was slightly wider to the left side of the goal.
Then, Moussa Diaby also took action a few minutes later. The boy moved to the middle, switching position with Amine Gouiri. This caught Makino off guard, and the boy himself didn’t notice someone sneaking from behind. That winger sent a dangerous through pass to Nabil Alioui, who got through the penalty box. However, Zion was one step closer, picking up the ball first to avoid disaster on his side.
The third one came from an individual effort. Once again, Moussa Diaby wanted to breach the flank and cut inside for a room to shoot. Kawabe pestered him fiercely, but those two boys were equal in strength. In the end, Moussa Diaby managed to force his way, even getting through Nagai’s support defense, before sending a curve to the far post. It was fortunate that the ball floated too high, just a few inches above the crossbar.
Lastly, just a few minutes ago, a corner kick from Michael Cuisance landed straight on Dan-Axel Zagadou. The boy headed it accurately, beating Tagawa and Nagai in the process. Once again, Zion came in clutch, using his fast reaction to put his hand on the right spot, blocking the header completely.
Overall, in the last twenty minutes, the threats that France put on them were enough to make Kumiko’s heart jump. However, the more time flew by, the more confident she was in the situation on the pitch.
’The players also get calmer at this point, not rushing too much to shut down the opponent’s attack. They know that as long as the route for a long shot is blocked and they don’t allow the ball to get into the penalty box, everything will be okay. No need to rush things up, just frustrate them to death.’
Then, during the frenzied momentum when France sent one attack after another, a chance finally came to Team Japan.
The relentless pressure from Kawabe on whoever was attacking from the right side was a bit too much, and their full back, Thomas Basila, made a miss pass. Instead of going to Nabil Alioui, Makino intercepted it perfectly, and when he saw Kawabe pointing forward, he knew exactly what the boy wanted.
Thud!
"Fuck! Nice pass!" Makino grinned, gritting his teeth as he tried to exert all of the muscles in his lower limbs to let him run faster. "COME ON!"
Of course, the other France players wouldn’t let him go that easily. One midfielder came to shut him down, while on the back, Boubakar Kamara also moved slowly to close the space in case Kawabe managed to get through.
With him running full speed, Kawabe wouldn’t be able to pull any trick against them, so this should be the end of the quick counterattack. However, Kawabe was also a player with a great vision, and even if he didn’t see it clearly, the boy knew exactly one person would try to spread the opponent’s defense by moving on the other side of the flank.
Without even thinking, he used his left foot to switch the ball to the other side, thinking, ’I’ll leave the rest to you, Mamoru! Get our second goal!’
BAM!