From Arsenal to the Ball God

Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Smash It! The First Goal Arrives!

August 28, Bramall Lane Stadium.

At seven o’clock in the evening, an hour before the match started, the area was surrounded by cars, fans from all over the city flocked here, making the place overcrowded.

”Bang bang... bang bang... bang bang bang!!”

”Toot toot..... toot toot toot!!”

They beat on war drums and blew horns, creating a heated atmosphere outside the stadium.

Many vendors selling beer and hot dogs were also shouting everywhere, hoping to make a profit from today’s large crowd.

They caused many fans who love good beer to sit by the street with flushed faces and blurry eyes before the match even started.

”Garrispeed! Come on!!”

”We want to secure our first home win of the new season, charge!!”

”Make Preston lose everything at Bramall Lane!”

At seven o’clock, the loyal fan group arrived, shouting organized slogans and bringing numerous mighty red and white flags, reminiscent of ancient battle flags.

A breeze stirred the flags, making them sway and dance elegantly in a fierce and chilling manner.

”Oh...OhOh.....!!”

Other fans seemed to find their own group, following behind these flags, raising their arms and roaring as they entered.

Fans are lovable, they will curse you with dirty language when you lose, mocking you rationally.

But when you need them, they’ll still buy season tickets and wear team jerseys to cheer you on.

Today marks the debut of the new manager!

Also, the starting lineup announced before the match clearly indicated that many new players would be making their home debut!

Sheffield United fans expected a brand new team to appear before their eyes, taking on the mission of restoring the team’s glory.

They lived on such expectations, it’s their football culture, an indispensable part of their lives.

......

”Beep beep!”

At seven fifty-five, in the player tunnel, three referees led both teams onto the field in an orderly manner.

Ma’el held a young mascot’s hand, following the team’s steps, step by step across the red-themed player tunnel, onto the field.

Looking ahead, fourteen glaring floodlights appeared directly in front, surrounded by many small spotlights, under which sat two-tier stands full of people, mostly in red and white jerseys.

”You are a light in the dark....That there’s only the road down the dark....!!”

Fans were singing the team anthem loudly, the voices of over twenty thousand people combined, deafening.

This is Sheffield’s home, Bramall Lane Stadium!

Ma’el’s skin got goosebumps, he had already experienced starting once before, but this home debut ceremony was a first.

It must be an unforgettable day, he aimed to leave his own mark here with the best appearance possible.

Stepping onto the soft grass, he completed a brief entrance ceremony with his teammates, divided the ball and side rights, then stood in his position.

He glanced at the opponent’s defender, then at the slightly excited and nervous Garrispeed on the sidelines, before closing his eyes to adjust his mindset.

”Beep!”

At eight o’clock, the referee blew the whistle to officially start the match.

Sheffield United, having the opening kick rights for the first half, saw Forward Evans kick the ball out of the center circle, another forward Bolodanovich kicked it back, Gilbert received the ball and passed it back to the defense.

”Boom!”

Sheffield United’s center-back Steven delivered a long pass, kicking the ball towards Ma’el’s left midfield position.

Ma’el sprinted ahead, facing off against the opponent’s back, trying his best to jump for the aerial ball.

He didn’t head the ball, but his strong physique caused the opponent’s defender to jump insecurely, not reaching the ball either.

”Press, press, press! Come on!”

Sheffield United swiftly pushed forward in unison, everyone shifted to the left, pressing high after the opponent threw the ball.

Seeing the situation unfavorable, a Preston defender receiving the throw immediately kicked the ball out towards their midfield, the ball hopped unevenly.

”Mine!”

An excited voice shouted, Gilbert, starting for the first time, came from behind the opponent’s midfield, cleanly sliding and flicking the ball away before the opponent could receive it.

The ball flew to the wing, a 50/50 ball between Ma’el and Preston’s defender.

With the latter not having a significant speed advantage, a physical confrontation was inevitable.

”Bang!”

Ma’el’s shoulder slammed into the opponent player’s shoulder hard, but he didn’t feel much vibration, instead seeing the opponent rebound like a heavy blow.

Most teams’ defenders are either speed type or passing type, their confrontation ability is incomparable to him right now.

Ma’el nudged the ball back to Evans, feeling adrenaline surging, his whole body boiling.

Winning purely in a power confrontation, indeed excites people!

”Oh.....!!”

The Sheffield United fan area erupted with cheers, from the start they saw the team’s brand new spirit, and witnessed an impassioned successful contest, naturally feeling delighted.

Positioned centrally, Evans engulfed in this fiery atmosphere couldn’t help himself, turning around to unleash a powerful shot.

The ball flew directly towards the near corner but was narrowly saved by the opponent’s goalkeeper.

So close!

”Ah.....” A wave of regret echoed from the stands, many fans held their heads.

Evans covered his face, then shook his head, raised his arms signaling everyone to get pumped up, ”Again, again!”

The team was truly different, even the commentators sitting in the stadium’s media area noticed.

”Judging by the opening, since Garrispeed took over, the team has shown a completely different demeanor.”

”Perhaps related to the previously exposed player-Kevin conflict, and Garrispeed’s charisma.”

”Preston seemed stunned, Coach Landes’ face showed anxiety and weight.”

”Now let’s see Sheffield United’s first corner kick for the first half, taken by Janu, the camera focuses on their towering forward Bolodanovich, a high spot.”

”Corner taken! Center of the box.....scramble, a clearance!”

”The ball controlled by Ward in the second point area, glancing at the penalty area, ready to cross? No, a sideways pass, catching them off guard!!”

”Ma’el! Young General Ma’el positioned in the passing line!”

.......

On the field, as Ward feigned a cross, Preston’s defensive line compressed the box, leaving the edge of the penalty area open.

”Bang!”

The subsequent real sideways pass accurately found a vacuum spot, reaching the open Ma’el.

At this moment, Ma’el appeared very calm, not rushing to shoot directly.

He lowered his center of gravity, placing the ball in the most comfortable position, seemingly automatically blocking out the fans’ shouting, the world only consisted of him and the ball.

In such an ultimate focused state, he took two steps to run up, placed his supporting foot firmly beside the ball, then raised his left arm, folding and slamming his right leg out.

”Wow.....” Only then did the noises around him return.

One voice came from the sidelines coach’s dugout, Garrispeed in excitement, having stood up from his seat, ”Smash it!”

”Boom!!” A dull sound spread all over the stadium, the ball lifted off, flying straight towards the far corner of the goal at lightning speed, smashing into the net, ”Swipe!!”

Goal!

One to zero!

Ma’el’s long shot netted his first career goal!

A blaze of fire burst forth from his heart and lungs, urging him to raise both hands high, sliding towards the sideline fan area.

”Yeah...!!” At this moment, he heard Bramall Lane’s over twenty thousand fans chanting in celebration, seemingly shattering the stadium roof, as thousands of silhouettes stood up in unison.

All discontent dissipated in this moment, he felt himself falling into a mesmerizing embrace, surrounded by dancing crowds for him.

Scoring a goal indeed felt great!

”I knew you could, easy assist!”

Already on this side, Ward was the first to come over, jumping high onto his back.

”Ma’el, my God!”

Gilbert came next with a smile, he spread his arms and embraced his best brother in celebration of the goal.