Honestly, no one from Japan’s side expected France to make this basic mistake. No, Miki Yamane was just putting pressure to kick out the threat from his side, and no one followed it up because they just wanted to maintain this excellent defensive shape.
However, once the chance came, no one stayed quiet. No, their instinct flared up, and not just Miki Yamane, but three players also rushed forward.
Dan-Axel Zagadou also noticed this, and right now, he had two choices. Dropping back immediately to slow down the attack or fight for the ball that Miki Yamane himself hadn’t completely controlled. Everything had its pros and cons here, and in that second, his brain short-circuited, not knowing what to do.
If he dropped back, that meant he would completely give up this possession, and the boy had already seen four of Japan’s players coming. He could count at least three players were close enough to help him and Kamara, but Japan’s support would also be faster. They would get overwhelmed quickly, and the chaotic situation would be too much for them to handle.
However, if he decided to rush for the ball, the boy himself was not sure that he could get it. No, the pass from Evan Ndicka was a little bit too short, and his momentum was indeed slower in this case. Rushing would be like gambling with only a 10 percent probability to win. If he failed to do that, he would leave a big hole behind, and it would be easier for Japan to exploit it.
In that split second, his brain got fried, and in the end, he decided to rely on his pure instinct.
’Screw it! I have to take my chance!’
He gritted his teeth, and to give him a better chance, the boy even sent a reckless flying tackle to Miki Yamane. The left back didn’t budge. No, if anything, this could be the one to seal the deal for the team, so he extended his right foot, intending to get the ball first. As a result...
BRUGH!
"ARGH!"
Miki Yamane was sent flying by that tackle, and the next thing he knew, the left back was rolling on the ground in pain. However, he managed to push the ball first, getting it to Tagawa on the front. The striker’s instinct in that boy kicked in instantly, ignoring his friend’s misery to continue the attack.
As a result, the referee just pointed forward, shouting, "PLAY ON!"
"Fuck! What the hell is that idiot doing?!" Kumiko’s face went so pale as she saw Miki Yamane falling like a withered flower. "Stop the game! Give him a treatment first!" She shouted anxiously.
However, right now, the players were driven by pure instinct, as they were just rushing toward the opponent’s side as quickly as possible. Tagawa knew that his speed was lacking, so he passed the ball back to Mamoru before moving forward again. Then, in the prodigy’s feet, the ball moved once again to the flank, where somehow, Kawabe managed to sneak in at full speed.
"YES! That’s the pass, Mamoru!"
"Merde!" France’s full back cursed as he was forced into a race once again by Kawabe, and just like before, he was losing by miles, unable to catch up with the boy. "STOP HIM!" He shouted desperately.
Unfortunately, the closest one here, Youssouf Fofana, didn’t dare to shut down the route. No, if he tried to get closer, Miyashiro or Tagawa would be able to capitalize on the space he had just left. So, he just guarded the boy’s route to the penalty box, hoping inwardly that Kawabe would just stay obediently on the flank.
Well, he was unlucky here, because Kawabe had already seen a target on the penalty box.
’I’ll leave the rest to you, Miyashiro!’
Thud!
Without slowing down his pace, he used a fancy technique to send this pass. The ball was still on the ground, but it curled so sharply like it was drawing a big half-circle on the pitch. Both Fofana and Kamara were so dumbfounded when they saw the ball passing them and turning away from the six-yard box, but then...
BAM!
Without even controlling the ball, Miyashiro appeared out of nowhere, slamming it as hard as possible. The goalkeeper tried to stop it, but he just caught the wind. The striker used all of his strength to get this shot, and the ball slammed the back of the net quite violently.
"OH! WHAT A GOAL!"
"FUCK! 3-0! We are going to the final!"
"Come on, Miyashiro!"
All the supporters on the stand jumped excitedly, ready to celebrate the goal with the players. However, none of them came to the corner spot like before. If anything, once the adrenaline rush disappeared, all the boys ran back as quickly as possible, trying to check on their falling friend.
"Shit! Medic, come in!"
"That tackle hits his shin! What the hell was he thinking?! Did he try to kill Yamane or what?!"
"Send him out quickly! This is not a place for a Barbarian like him!"
Some were trying to check on Miki Yamane, who was still on the ground, while the others were complaining to the referee directly. Kumiko herself just bit her lips nervously, inwardly praying that there wouldn’t be anything wrong with Miki Yamane.
’The team has already lost so many defenders, please, don’t let him get injured...’ She prayed inwardly.
Her gaze also shifted to the bench, and after thinking about it, the girl gritted her teeth. "Taki-kun, get ready. You are going to play after this."
Yuta Taki was a young midfielder who had been the team’s bench warmer since the start of the tournament. He was just one year older than Mamoru, and since the competition in the defensive midfield was so strong, even up until now, he had never had a chance to play.
Now, hearing that he was going to come in, the boy clenched his fists secretly, nodding in excitement. "Yes, Ma’am!"
Then, on the pitch, a big decision was also finally made. After discussing with his assistant, the referee, a man from Brazil, finally took out a card from his pocket.
He gave Dan-Axel Zagadou a straight red card, sending him off quicker than anyone else today.