The scoreboard flashed 4-2, and time was slipping away. Team 2 was on the brink of defeat.
But Riku Saionji wasn't panicking. His mind was calculating.
A two-goal gap. Not impossible. But we need absolute precision.
He scanned the field. Team 1 was confident now, but that confidence could be used against them. They would expect slow buildup play, but Riku had something else in mind—a direct strike.
He turned to Kaede Arata and Sora Amagi.
"Kaede, send a direct pass near the penalty area. Amagi, take the shot immediately. If it rebounds, I'll be there to finish it."
Kaede's sharp eyes flickered in understanding. Amagi smirked, cracking his knuckles.
The plan was set.
—
The match resumed, and Team 2 moved with newfound intensity.
Sho Nakata received the ball and immediately sent it to Isamu Oda. The midfield was chaotic, but Oda forced his way forward and played the ball to Riku.
Renji Kurogami saw it coming and rushed in to intercept.
Not yet.
Riku flicked the ball backward—straight to Kaede.
Kaede took one glance at Amagi's position—and launched the pass.
The ball soared, cutting through the field like a missile.
Amagi dashed toward it, the defenders closing in, but he didn't hesitate. A direct shot—no control, just pure strike.
Boom!
His foot connected with brutal precision. The ball flew toward the goal.
Jin Kazama reacted instantly, diving—but it was too fast.
Ping!
The ball slammed against the post, deflecting away.
But before anyone could react—
Riku was already there.
He had predicted the exact point of the rebound.
With perfect balance, he adjusted his body and struck the ball into the net!
GOAL!
The scoreboard changed: 4-3.
Riku smirked. One more to go.