Meanwhile, on the bench, Kageyama-sensei felt like he had grown ten years older from that goal.
"What the fuck is going on there?! How could Suzuki stumble inside the penalty box?!" His eyes were still on the pitch, looking at his boys who were gathering there. He was still dumbfounded, not knowing how to react. Inwardly, the man also prayed that some accidents would happen that made the referee cancel the goal.
Unfortunately, such a hopeful thought was unrealistic in this situation. When Mitsuki Saito walked toward his side, the coach could feel cold dread twisting in his gut. He knew that the boy was going to explain this matter to him, and based on the boy’s reaction, he also knew that he wouldn’t like whatever happened on the pitch earlier.
True enough, the first time Kageyama-sensei heard it, he was so stunned, not knowing what to say. Then, after everything sank inside his head a few moments later, he couldn’t help but slam the whiteboard on his hand furiously.
"You mean we conceded another goal because Suzuki stumbled upon an unexpected hole there?! Are you fucking kidding me?!"
Behind the rage in his eyes, Mitsuki Saito could also see the man was pleading for him to answer yes; he was just joking around. Unfortunately, Mitsuki Saito just twitched the corner of his lips wryly before shaking his head in the next second.
"Unfortunately, no, Sensei, this is real."
The answer was like God’s judgement, leaving the coach so stunned he couldn’t even react anymore. In this final... When things were about to go in their team’s direction... How could God be so cruel that Zion had to make a mistake in this moment?!
Of course, Kageyama-sensei didn’t blame the boy. After all, Zion himself had stated that he didn’t know a hole was there, and Kageyama-sensei believed that the boy was capable enough to get the ball if only he didn’t get caught in that cheap trap. Unfortunately, no matter what he thought, the result wouldn’t change at all; a goal was still valid for Ukraine.
"Sensei, I have already asked Tagawa-kun and Taki-kun to warm up, ready to go. My suggestion is to take off Miyashiro-san and Naoya-kun immediately, trying to add more attacking players on the pitch."
Kumiko’s voice suddenly snapped the man from his own thought. Once again, he had to take his hat off for her calmness. When everyone—including himself—was still lamenting the goal earlier, the girl had already started thinking of a solution here. The two she called were strong offensive players who could make a great change in this moment, and putting them would give the team more chances to create something on the front line.
As his brain was still getting fried from the goal earlier, Kageyama-sensei just gave a little nod, not even thinking about it. "I am still so dumbfounded my brain cannot process everything right now, so you proceed with what is in your mind, Shishida-san. I trust you."
Once again, it was such a strange thing to hear from a national team coach toward a little girl who originally was here to learn. However, Kumiko had already proved herself to be capable, so it was okay to get her help in this situation.
Kumiko nodded quickly, going to the bench once again to call the two boys. While Tagawa was a regular super-sub for the team, Yuta Taki had only played once in the last game against France, so the boy was quite nervous here. However, they came at the same time, waiting for Kumiko’s instruction.
"Tagawa-kun, Miyashiro-san’s style doesn’t work against this team, so we need you to try to brute force your way through the opponent’s defensive line. You don’t need to win, but you have to challenge everything and never back down from it! Just like I said in the last game, you are our team’s tank, so make sure everyone’s attention is on you!"
"Ha! Don’t worry, Shishida-san!" Even in this heavy atmosphere, the boy still showed a big grin to reassure her.
"As for you, Taki-kun, your role is simple." She turned to the smaller boy here. "Mamoru-kun has been operating a lot in the half-space area, so you go to the flank and add more numbers there. We will try to replicate their tactic, but don’t rush to send a cross to the box. No, always try to reroute, and if you have no choice, send to the other flank or to the penalty spot. Their goalkeeper is strong in aerial duels, so any ball in front of him will be taken easily."
"Yes, Ma’am!" Yuta Taki nodded.
Soon enough, they were both finally ready to play. Tagawa replaced Miyashiro, while Yuta Taki came for Naoya. Even though the two boys were reluctant to get replaced in the final like this, they had no choice since their performance was not that good in the first place.
This substitution also became a signal that Japan was going for an all-out attack. The players started to rush forward and occupy the opponent’s territory, slowly encircling them in their own box while also eyeing any opening to strike.
The intensity also increased, and one thing that was different than before was that since Yuta Taki occupied the flank, Mamoru was freed from his duty there, and the prodigy was allowed to roam freely to any spot he wanted. This was the kind of freedom that only the best player had, and in this case, the boy had the full right from the coach.
Mamoru also paid the trust with his best ability.
He was always in the best position to receive the ball, and his movement was enough to make the opponent’s defense tremble. Two times he tried to penetrate into the box; the boy gave two dangerous through passes to his teammates close to the opponent’s goal. Unfortunately, Kawabe and Tagawa failed to execute them, only giving the opponent a goal kick, a chance to stall for more time for Ukraine.
As time flew by, the players also started to get anxious here. Seeing Kumiko give a signal that only 20 minutes were left, they couldn’t help but curse secretly.
"Shit! We have to do something here!"