Chapter 61 - Embrace (1/2)

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Ma Ni was still running and attempting his 90 Degrees move. But, if it was not done at the right angle, he would end up knocking the ball too far off; if it was not that, it would be slipping and splashing into the mud himself. However hateful he was before, he was nothing less than a pathetic worm at the moment.

Four minutes passed and the scores stayed at 2: 2.

Still, anyone watching, who had basic knowledge of soccer would know that Shu Guang had complete advantage over the game at this point. A comeback was just a matter of time.

There were Yingcai students, who were already leaving their seats. The miracle they were banking on was beginning to crumble. Although their disadvantage still looked slight at the moment, their crumbling would soon gain momentum and become a full-fledged avalanche. When that happened, the success they built from utilitarianism would be completely destroyed and buried.

It had always been a matter of time.

As time flowed with the rain, another two minutes passed.

Sima Hongxin was deeply troubled. He could no longer catch the ball during his saves and his breaths were short as well as rapid; his body suddenly felt like it weighed a ton and his movements were all over the place.

The keeper was not so ragged after conceding the first goal; he was probably still troubled by how the second one went in. How could such a huge ball suddenly vanish and appear behind Zhang Jun, then at the back of the net? There were just so many questions.

The entire Yingcai team were on the defense, hoping that they could extend the game into extra time and penalties. Only Ma Ni was left up front.

In that moment, their team felt like a dying man, grasping for straws in his very last breath. It would have been more merciful to shoot them in the chest than watch them suffer.

But the story did not seem to have a desire to be dictated, and soccer proved its charm once again. There was no telling what the ultimate results would be, up until the last second.

The referee blew his whistle and sprinted madly towards Shu Guang’s penalty area; his fingers were pointed at the penalty spot, where Ma Ni lay!

Penalty!

In truth, Ma Ni himself had fallen to the ground. While he was dribbling, he slipped outside the box and fell into the box. It was as if the referee wanted to prove he was still alive to everyone.

Penalty! An irrevocable penalty had been given!

There was a brief moment of silence before the stands ripped out in waves of cheers. The Yingcai players, who had been hopelessly stuck in quicksand seemed to have caught on to a branch—their eyes filled with hope.

Lin Xiaofang, whom Ma Ni had brought down together with him tried to assert his innocence to the referee.

“There’s no way that was a penalty! He fell outside the area and I never touched him! He dragged me down when he slipped!”

His teammates were helping him argue his case too, in hopes that the bribed official would somehow revoke his decision. Nevertheless. he never uttered a word and stood on the spot as he gestured for the Shu Guang players to leave. If they refused, he would bring out his butcher knife.

“Back off!” An Ke stood there and shouted angrily, “Back off! Let him take it!”

The Shu Guang goalie stood between the two posts and readied himself. His teammates backed off at his words, and retreated outside the area.

Ma Ni stepped on the penalty spot and placed the ball on it.

The pitch became quiet all of a sudden; only the rain could be heard.

An Ke lowered his hips, but he did not look at Ma Ni’s ankle or the ball. Instead, he stared ferociously into Ma Ni’s eyes until the referee blew his whistle.

*Beep!*

Ma Ni ran up to the ball!

And An Ke began to move!

A shot was taken! With a splash of the muddy water, the ball flew towards the bottom left corner!

An Ke dived to the exact place at the same time!

He managed to get his glove to it! An Ke’s single-handed save swept the ball to the left, saving in the process!

But it was not over. Yingcai still had a chance to fire in the rebound!

Lin Xiaofang was already dashing into the area as soon as Ma Ni raised his foot. The ball fell to him and he quickly turned, clearing it far out into midfield. It was a dangerous moment, but he never forgot that he had to create chances for his attackers even as he defended.

Because, Zhang Jun was still up front.

An Ke rose from the ground and howled. Far ahead, Zhang Jun handled the long ball beautifully. He turned and accelerated in a single stroke!

The match was going to end in seven minutes.

Zhang Jun relied on his speed and stunning explosiveness as he thundered forward with the ball, keeping his body balanced throughout. Half of the Yingcai players were still on the other half of the pitch. There were just two center backs and one goalkeeper in front of him now.

He would bring them nothing less than absolute hell and desolation!

He lowered his shoulders to the left and circled the ball with his right foot. One of the defenders thought Zhang Jun was going to the right, and he followed. But Zhang Jun was merely whirling his foot around the ball, not touching it. He quickly nudged it to the left and accelerated, leaving his marker, who was still trying to make sense of things behind.

He got past one of them!

He would give Ma Ni a slap in the face in victory!

There was no way the second defender would run away; he had to face the attacker head on. He growled to embolden himself and he proceeded to slide in with a tackle.

Running at full speed, Zhang Jun stopped and moved his right foot to the front. He prodded the ball past his oncoming opponent with his left foot. He had hidden the ball between his legs and the Yingcai defender missed it just by mere inches. Zhang Jun then jumped over the defender!

Kaka was stunned.