Capítulo 15: Unforeseen Resistance II
Rivera has given no space to Granger. He read the trajectory of the cross and realised it was going straight to his marker. He had given up any intentions to head the ball away and instead opted to bump into him to make the striker lose balance as he jumps for the header. The Le Harve defenders positioned themselves into the box as they prepared to scramble away the ball and stop any shot at their goal.
Rivera, can't help but be displeased at Granger, as he realised just how physically complete the striker is. With the Italian midfielder decently proud of himself being above average height, he found Granger tall, even taller than Pape which he thought was an alien in disguise.
Having all attention drawn on the towering Granger, Rivera and Simon zonally marked the striker as he posed the obvious threat in the air. As the ball floated from the corner of the pitch, they competed for the ball as they are determined to clear the ball away.
Dominique Simon jumped for the aerial battle, but finds himself a head below the target man and realised he wouldn't be able to get a touch on the ball. Rivera could only watch in fluster but was relieved as he finds Granger has completely missed the header, with him not even touching the ball.
"GRANGER FOR THE HEADER . . . but the cross whizz past his head as he couldn't get a touch on it. OHHH!!! –– WAIT WHAT?! OYENSUI AT THE BACK POST AND HE SLOTS THE BALL INTO THE NET!!!"
Sébastien was off his seat as he couldn't believe the ball has rolled into the net. Even more astonishing was the timing of the goal, how long was it since kick-off? The commentator checked the clock displaying at the edge of the field, and couldn't help but be left with no words.
"24 seconds..... Amiens find themselves 1-0 up 24 seconds after kickoff." The commentator sighed as he shook his head in disbelief. "Le Harve have a long game before them, conceding in the first minute. I am afraid their winning streak will be over in the 15th match."
While the commentators are thinking about this, the players of the team have been equally frustrated and disbelief at the turn of events. Shock, absolute shock as everyone could hardly believe what had transpired in front of their dear eyes. The Le Harve fans thought they were here to witness their team trash a relegation tipped side, but instead they were treated by the exact opposite. One minute! It hasn't even been one minute and they have already conceded!
The home fans were utterly silent, unable to muster any words to make sense of the situation. All but a small section of fans in the Stade Charles Argentin stadium as they bellowed their small collective voices to celebrate their team scoring.
Oyensui was running like a mad man on the pitch as he went to celebrate, making the whole stadium stand still as they witness the striker chest bumping everyone of the Amiens players as they shared a collective moment for themselves.
"One shot?! First shot and they scored???? MY EYES ARE BLEACHED! BLEACHED!!!"
Though the same couldn't be said for Lanier, who, amidst the celebratory scene, kicked a drink bottle in the dugout which intentionally or unintentionally hit the fourth official that was standing on the sidelines. The coach cursed at the turn of events as he stormed onto the pitch in frustration as he threatened to strangle Séverin by the neck.
Thankfully, some bench players and staff saw the red mist coming down from the coach's eyes. The thought of watching their teammate being neck choked by their coach was less than appealing in their already downcast situation. "Damn it, let go of me. I need to teach him a lesson!"
The players that was holding the tactical coach down was less than convinced by his explanation. Teach him a lesson? Who is going to believe that. By the way Lanier was acting, everyone was sure he was more likely beat the player into a frightful pulp then provide any words of wisdom.
.
The match resumed under the watchful insistence of the referee, as Le Harve were given their second kick-off from the centre circle. The sky and navy blue team continued their strategy, with them taking not much time on the ball, but instead using long balls and looking for the likes of Eze and Chevalier to make themselves a threat on the wings, with supporting players like Roussel and Arbelaez looking to overlap on the outside and deliver crosses into the penalty box.
The was the strategy devised by Lanier and Kai, exploiting the flanks would be their best chance to break down the stubborn Amiens defence. With the opposition hogging the middle and disallowing any progression through the centre of the pitch, doubling their plays on the flanks would force central players to move out wide to stop their attacks down the wings.
However, only after scoring a single goal, and despite having only played a few minutes into the match. It seems that Amiens have given up any desire to attack. This was not the sight of a side that had accepted their fate with dignity. Amiens supporters were hardly restrained as they started to taunt Le Harve and their coach with the message, bragging at their impenetrable defence and challenging the Home team to try and score.
Marley and Lanier though are frustrated at the current predicament held a firm belief in their players, having fate for the Le Harve players to find a way back into the match. But for the first time, the two coaches had made ample preparation for this match, but a situation brew onto the field which was not within their expectations.
Séverin frustrated at his early missed pass that ultimately costed the team to be 0–1 down was bitter, yet more determined than ever to make thing correct. He played with much more intensity, playing aggressive passes to the forward players as he was eager to make amends for his bad performance. The midfielder finding himself in space, who for a moment confused as the Amiens midfielders weren't even anywhere near him. Surprisingly, the player that is pressing The Le Harve midfielder is actually the performer of the match. Granger has placed himself in front of Séverin and displayed the intentions to challenge for the ball.
Séverin, seeing he is pressed, looked for his midfield partner, Gérald Roys, but his eyes were instead shocked, as he discovered his team captain being man-marked by Oyensui.
You are kidding... Strikers marking midfielders? Do Amiens have no intention to attack?
"Oh my. Oh my. It appears that the Amiens youth team have put everyone behind the ball as they got the entire team to track back and defend. Look how deep those strikers are dropping!" Sébastien commentated in amazement at the play of both sides.
Old man Horace raised his eyes as he witnessed the midfielders being pressed by the Amiens striking partners. "It seems the Amiens manager Vlad has personally planned for this to happen. He's really not allowing the Le Harve team to play an attacking game."
The Le Harve midfielders were left with no touches on the ball, until they were left with no choices but to release the ball to their flanks. However, this was Amiens' gameplan all along, restricting the pitch in the middle and forcing the ball out wide, where the visiting team can restrict how the Le Harve team would attack. More concerning was the issue that Arbelaez and Roussel are not the most creative players in the wide areas. Though the fullbacks found themselves having ample touches and space with the ball, they weren't able to make much use of this to their advantage.
"Rivera receives the ball from the keeper, closed down by Granger and Oyensui. The midfielder quickly releases the ball to Simon, who passes the ball out wide to Roussel attacking down the right flank…" Sébastien commentated on the game, yet despite his best attempt to keep the game interesting, he could only do so much if nothing exciting occurs on the pitch.
Roussel dribbles down the flank, yet as the French right-back is attacking, he finds that he has no players available to receive his pass. He observes up the right flanks. And finds Eze firmly marked by Azad, with the winger is no position to receive a pass. To looks inwards towards the midfield, and Roussel could do nothing but vomit as he finds the two Amiens strikers marking Rivera, and the three Amiens midfielders restricting Roys and Severin. The French right back gritted his teeth, as he ignored his close passing options and opted to cross the ball into the penalty box. Yet this only caused more dismay as he finds the three Amiens centre-backs eagerly awaiting to tackle Leroy.
Left with no choice, Roussel played the ball back to Dominique Simon, the Le Harve defender, as he figures it would be better to keep the ball in possession rather than attempting to brute force an opportunity.
Sébastien: "And Roussel lays the ball back to Simon. Who switches the ball to the other side of the backline, to the feet of Ricardo Arbelaez."
Lanier had a dark look as he saw the repeat of events happening. The Le Harve centre-back only passed the ball from defenders to fullbacks. Yet only to be stopped in its tracks as the fullbacks could only pass the ball back to the defenders. The ball danced around outside of the Amiens box. Yet any attempts to finding Le Harve's dangerous players were completely stopped, as Amiens has compact the distance between the midfield and defending players. Eliminating any chance for the attackers to receive the ball without being uncontested by an immediate challenge.
The coach stared at the scene with one arm on his forehead as he swear he is heaving a headache witnessing this negative football. Out of distaste, Kai glanced down the sideline to look at Vlad. The Caucasion manager had a monotone expression on his face, as he is devoid of any reaction from the current set of events. Yet, as if by instinct, Vlad felt a sting on his neck as if someone was giving him malice intentions. The U-19 Amiens manager looked down the sidelines before finding a Le Harve staff staring him ominously. Vlad expression finally changed, with him revealing a smirk from the corner of his mouth as he noticed the frustration displayed from his opponents.
My defensive strategy is filled with love. My dear Le Harve, it is unbreakable! –– Vlad
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