The tension was unbearable. The scoreboard read 4-3, with Team 1 still leading, but Team 2 had all the momentum.
Riku Saionji's last goal had reignited their hunger. One more goal, and they could force a tiebreaker.
But time was slipping away.
Team 2 moved aggressively, pressing high.
Kenta Shimizu received the ball for Team 1, looking for an open pass—
But before he could react, Riku and Reiji Sakamoto swarmed him!
Shimizu tried to shield the ball, but Reiji used his physicality to push him off balance, while Riku swiftly stole possession.
Team 2 had the ball again.
Riku instantly signaled to his teammates—they were going for the same plan as before.
Kaede Arata locked eyes with him and nodded. But this time, they were adding a gambit.
Instead of only Amagi rushing toward the goal—
Every attacking player surged forward at once!
Amagi. Kaede. Riku. Reiji. Sho Nakata. Even Shun Takagi.
A swarm of attackers.
It was chaos.
Team 1's defense faltered for a split second—too many threats, too many options.
Who should they mark? Who was the real target?
But amidst the confusion, Renji Kurogami saw through it.
"Not bad," he muttered, a smirk creeping onto his face.
Mori, positioned beside him, caught that smirk and instantly knew. Renji had a counter-plan.
Kaede launched the pass toward Amagi again—the exact same play as before.
But Renji was already moving.
He leaped into the air and intercepted the pass with his forehead, stopping it mid-air!
The ball dropped near the edge of the box—
A loose ball!
Kazuki Mori's eyes lit up. He had read Renji's move perfectly!
Before Team 2 could react, Mori burst forward, snatching the ball with ease.
Team 2 had made one mistake—they had ALL pushed forward, leaving only their goalkeeper behind.
Mori sprinted unchallenged. No defenders. Just him and the goal.
Jin Kazama stood firm, ready to block.
Mori locked onto his target and pulled back his foot.
This is it!
But—
PHEEEEEEEEEP!
The whistle blew.
The match was over.
Final Score: 4-3.
Team 1 had won.
Mori froze mid-shot, staring at the ref in disbelief. Just one more second, and he would have sealed it.
Renji exhaled, his smirk still lingering.
Riku clenched his fists, frustrated but impressed. They had almost pulled off the comeback.
As the dust settled, one thing was clear—
Every single player had evolved.
And EOS had no place for those who stood still.
To be continue...