168 Penalty Shootout Part 2 (2/2)

”Freddy Eastwood .... he was just an amateur player, selling used cars three months ago, and now, he's standing in front of the penalty kick at the Millennium Stadium, readying for a crucial penalty kick.”

Martin Taylor spoke out loud Eastwood's inner thoughts at this moment. Three months ago, he did not know if he would be able to play professional football again at all, and now, not only had he received a professional contract from Nottingham Forest, but he had also come to stand on the field of the EFL Cup final, as a key player for this important penalty kick!

Once again, he recalled the future that Manager Twain had promised him. Before the EFL Cup semi-final, he had said that they would definitely win that match. As evidence that he did not lie, it turned out that they had won the game, and that they had also made it to the finals.

It sounded like a fairytale story, but it really happened. Since that game, Eastwood no longer doubted this manager's words. He always seemed to have a mysterious power, as if he could really see the future.

He said, ”We can win! And we will win!”

So..... We can really win, and we will win!

Tang En had no idea what Eastwood was thinking now. He stared at the Romani Gypsy's back, his fists clenched. His body even slightly trembled involuntarily. This was a critical moment, and his heart was beating faster and faster ... Damn it! Why hasn't the referee blown the whistle yet?!

Just as Tang En was grumbling, the referee finally blew the whistle, allowing the penalty kick. Standing in front of the ball, Eastwood took a two-step run, then swung his leg and kicked!

Schwarzer judged the direction correctly, but Eastwood's shot was trickier than he'd imagined! The football swiped across the turf, brushed past the goalpost, and rolled into the net!

”What a beautiful corner! Freddy Eastwood! He scored the crucial goal!” Andy Gray yelled amidst Forest fans' louder voices at the Millennium Stadium. It was a cathartic goal, and Eastwood deeply knew it. After scoring the goal, he stood on the same spot, leaned back, and raised his head to roar at the sky, which led to all the Forest fans in the stands, following suit, letting out a long howl skyward at the same time. That force, it was enough to make any opponent tremble in fear!

Differing from the excited players and fans, Tang En was extremely tense before the goal was shot in. But when Eastwood really kicked the ball in, he only just swung his fist hard, and there was no other exaggerated display of emotion, because he knew Middlesbrough had another player, and that the game was not yet over.

If the opponent also scored, then the penalty shootout would continue, except the rule would change to a sudden-death penalty, which was even more brutal. The psychological pressure on both teams' players would also be far greater.

What was in his favor, was that Eastwood had withstood the pressure of being the fifth penalty player and had scored a goal. Now the enormous pressure had shifted to the last Middlesbrough player, Massimo Maccarone.

Italians ... They've never been good at penalty kicks ...

The Forest fans were making an enormous ruckus, hoping to create more pressure on Maccarone. But would it go their way?

This was a critical moment. Although the key to determining their fate was not in Tang En's hands, this was the moment that would truly define it. Thus, this was his most intense moment.

He felt the time was at a standstill, and all the voices in his head were gone. Only his heart was still beating. The sound of his heartbeat reminded him that he was still alive, and not a hollow shell.

His heartbeat was getting faster, almost bursting, till he could not withstand the tremendous pressure coming from his left chest. He could not even complain about the opponents delaying their shot, because he was afraid that, once he opened his mouth, he would explode due to the pressure!

Will this be my first championship? Will this be the starting point of a path full of glory and trophies? Will this... be my destiny?

Suddenly, a crisp whistling sound rang out in his ear, as if it was the sound of nature. Then, he saw Maccarone do a quick sprint, then vigorously kick the football, which shot into the sky!! Over the beam!! Flying--straight--into--the--stands!!!

Seemingly quiet just a moment ago, the stadium suddenly erupted in massive cheers, as if barrels of gunpowder had been detonated, and the earth-shattering sounds came roaring towards Tang En.

Boom!

”Maccarone overshot the penalty kick! The League One team, Nottingham Forest, has won the championship! They are the English Football League Cup champions for the 03 to 04 season!! Fourteen years later, this Red Forest tapped into what they used to be best at, and finally returned to the spotlight. Welcome back, Nottingham Forest! Congratulations to the EFL Cup Champions!!”