Chapter 4:

Matchday

Rising Hope


Miyu, determined to go to the Europa League, starts getting ready 10 days before the match. Riku trains him hard and teaches him new techniques for 5 days straight. Miyu was trained by Riku and then Miyu decided to go and train with his team for the next 5 days. They start working on tactics and also studying their opponent. Miyu is also now in the CAM position so he can create chances. He is also now the free-kick taker of the team; the coach trusts him and Miyu should put in the work. All that's left now is to go on and play the match.

1 hour before the match,

"Hey, come on Miyu, we need to get to the stadium to warm up," Riku says.

"Okay, okay, let's go."

Miyu reaches the stadium and starts warming up with the team. Miyu also takes shots at the goalkeeper and showcases amazing shooting ability and technique. They go into the dressing room, and the coach decides to make a small speech to his players.

"Listen guys, it doesn't matter if they score once or twice. Just keep playing and keep your composure, and we will score," says the coach.

The players are listening carefully and are fully locked on the game. They get out of the tunnel, and they are waiting for the whistle. The referee blows the whistle, and the match starts. Luton is keeping possession of the ball and playing it out back until the 15th minute. One of the midfield players sees Miyu making a run and passes it through. Miyu controls the ball and dribbles the keeper, then he shoots...but the defender makes a goal-line clearance. Miyu curses his luck, but the coach motivates him. Sheffield takes possession of the ball and starts passing it around until the 18th minute. Sheffield moves the ball forward and gets it to the striker. A Luton defender takes the ball away and tries clearing it but accidentally gave the ball to the striker, and the striker went on to score a goal. Miyu is furious but encourages his teammates. They keep pushing, but still, they didn't score, and the 45th minute comes by, and the referee blows the whistle signaling the end of the first half. They get into the locker room, and the coach is furious and screams at them to keep their composure and relax. They get back into the field, and the referee blows the whistle. Luton keeps their composure like their coach told them, but they can't keep it forever.

In the 65th minute, Sheffield takes the ball and lunges forward with it. Their striker shoots a rocket straight into the bottom right corner and scores. Luton lost hope, but Miyu didn't. They get the ball and start attacking furiously. In the 80th minute, a Luton midfielder passes the ball through to Miyu. He controls it and volleys it from out of the box. It hits the bar but still didn't go out. Miyu sprints to the ball and heads it in. He picks up the ball and runs back to his position not wasting time. Sheffield gets close to scoring many times but to no avail. In the 90th minute, the referee indicates 5 minutes of stoppage time. Miyu gets the ball and runs into the box. He's about to score but a defender slide tackles him and...IT'S A PENALTY. The fans shout in happiness, and Miyu takes the pen. He takes 5 steps back ready to shoot the penalty. The referee blows the whistle, and Miyu SCORES. The fans shout, and the players swarm him, and the commentator exclaims, "HE DID IT AGAIN, MIYU SAVES HIS TEAM." There are 2 minutes left on the clock. The fans are already celebrating, but Sheffield gets one last ball. They run with the ball to the edge of the box and they shoot...and the striker hits the ground and the ball is going very slow to the keeper's hands. The fans shout, and as the goalkeeper tries to catch the ball, it GOES UNDER HIS LEGS?! The Sheffield fans swarm the field and make fun of Luton. Miyu is fuming, and the referee blows the whistle to signal the end of the match. Miyu gets interviewed, and he expresses his disappointment in his teammates and his desire to leave. Miyu calls Riku.

RING RING RING

"I DON'T and I mean DON'T want to stay in this team. Look for offers, Riku," Miyu says angrily.