The game itself wouldn’t be played until later, when the sun started to go down, and the temperature also started to decrease. They couldn’t force the players to play under the scorching sun. No, that would be torture.
Still, even in this weather, so many people came to watch this game. Honestly, when Higo heard that there wouldn’t be a lot of supporters coming to watch, he thought it would be around 10 to 15. However, based on the crowd gathering around the field, it was clear that the number was closer to 100.
From old men coming with a beer in their hand to a family of four with two children playing and running around, it was almost as if everyone was here.
"Fucking hell... This is definitely more than a few! Why the hell would they come here for a pre-season game?" Higo asked in awe.
"They are bored, as you can tell." Jonas Hofmann, the team’s captain, shrugged while doing his warm-up. "It has been a long time since a real competition is playing, and they are craving some excitement. That’s why, as long as it is Schalke, they would still come even though the team that plays today is just the second team."
"You sure know a lot about this, Cap." Morita whistled, impressed. He still talked with a slightly broken and heavy-accented English, but at least the lessons he took during his free time were enough to allow the others to understand him.
"Yeah, because he is a local here, and his family also used to come here." It was Fabian who answered the question. He still tried to fix his long hair, busy tying it with a small band. "See that corner? That is Jonas’s father and two sisters, coming here to spend their nice evening to support their family."
True enough, when Higo and Morita turned around, they saw a group of people that resembled the captain’s facial figure waving at them, the old man even having a beer in his hand. This seemed to be a common scene, as some players also greeted their family outside.
’Well, at least, if Kumiko-chan or Mom decides to come here during the game time, there would be something for them to do.’ Higo nodded, putting this on the back of his head.
The opponent also arrived at around 15:30 with their bus. KFC Uerdingen came with their biggest color, red and blue.
Unlike Schalke, where most of their players were still youngsters out of the academy, it was clear that the opponent’s players were serious adults, coming here for business. They didn’t even show any friendly expressions, staring at the Schalke players for a moment before turning around like it was nothing.
’Damn! They sure know how to intimidate their opponent here.’ Higo grinned, feeling a little bit jumpy. Even if he didn’t look down, the boy could feel his legs shaking, and he couldn’t stop moving to hide his nervousness.
"Nervous?" Morita patted his shoulder, grinning widely at the boy. "You came in clutch against South Korea a few weeks ago, becoming the national hero. Compared to that, why would you be this nervous on such a small occasion?"
Higo just rolled his eyes in exasperation. While in theory, he knew that Morita was right, that didn’t mean the boy could just ignore his nervousness that easily. This was his first professional game, so it was understandable for him to feel uneasy and overthink a lot of things before the game was played.
If anything, though, Higo was impressed by Morita’s calmness in this situation. This was also going to be the midfielder’s first game abroad, and yet, he acted like it was a walk in the park, strolling around and chatting with everyone casually.
’Yeah, as expected of the best player in my generation. He can be this calm even in his debut.’ He shook his head in awe.
Still, at least, this little encouragement from Morita worked. Higo managed to regain his composure, walking into the penalty box more confidently. After this, the opponent’s players also followed, going to their side while also getting ready for the game.
Soon enough, both captains were called for the coin toss ceremony, and after waiting for a while, Higo found out that they would get the first chance for the kick-off.
’Oh, well, not that it makes any difference.’ He shrugged nonchalantly.
On the front line, two players were also ready in front of the ball. It was the local striker, Luca Schuler, and Fabian Reese who were standing in the center circle, waiting for the referee to start the game.
FWEEE!
The moment the referee blew the whistle, the former one dashed to the opposition half without hesitation, while the latter one kicked the ball before occupying the left field side. The whistle officially started the game, and Schalke decided to try his luck by putting early pressure in the very first minute.
"Come on, Morita! Don’t hold the ball too long!"
"Hofmann, move! Don’t be lazy!"
"Winger, try to spread further! Give us more space!"
It was only the second minute of the game, and Morita started to show his dominance in the midfield. He held the ball for a little bit too long, enough to make his teammates anxious. He did it on purpose, though, wanting to drag the pressure toward his side. The boy’s confidence in his ability to keep the ball was shown here, and the moment he could escape from the press, the boy sent a through ball to the left side immediately.
BAM!
"OH, YES! Nice pass, Morita!"
Fabian Reese grinned as he hit the accelerator, trying to beat the opponent’s full back with his speed. If that was not enough, the winger also used his big body to charge into the opponent’s shoulder, enough to make that poor man lose his balance for a second. This was enough for the winger to take action, as he whipped a quick low cross to the penalty box immediately.
As a result...
BAM!
The ball got whacked by Luca Schuler, slamming the back of the opponent’s net violently. Two minutes since the game started, and somehow, Schalke II had already managed to steal the lead.