ตอน 10: Derby Normand VII
Sébastien cleared his throat as the two teams marched onto the field, swapping their halves. "And that concludes the 15 Minutes of rest. Welcome back to the second half of the Derby Normand between the U-19 Teams. Speaking of the match, Horace, what do you think of that free kick goal by Mauger Chevalier?"
"To be honest, I think there is an element of luck to that goal. But credit should be given to the Le Harve Winger for seizing that chance and making the most out of it. And the technique shown by the Frenchman is quite exceptional." Horace replied.
"And what do you think about the current match from a tactical perspective, Horace? You are better than me in stuff like this."
"Well, going into the second half 1 – 1 pretty much destroyed Lens' game plan to slowly break down the Le Harve defence patiently. I think we can safely assume going into the second half, both teams will be much more aggressive in finding a goal to put the players' nerves to place. However, breaking down a patient side like Lens will require some changes from the Le Harve side if they no longer want to be on the back foot."
The whistle blew from the referee's grasp as he signalled for the kick-off. It was Le Harve with the ball. "And the whistle has been blown, I do wonder how the two teams would react to break the current deadlock." Sébastien commentated from the box.
"Oh look, kick-off has just begun but the fourth official has indicated a substitution from Le Harve. Let's see... Midfielder Séverin is exchanged for..." Sébastien looked closely at the substitution board where the player numbers are lit up to indicate which player is going onto the pitch. He read the number: No. 30, before looking at the match selection sheet in front of him. Hm? Who is this guy? Is this his U-19 debut?
No. 30 was currently on the sidelines. The tall, lanky player almost dwarfed the Asian player that was busy whispering to him in a rushed manner, tactically briefing him on what he must be aware of on the pitch. But Bernard is awkwardly bending his knees so his teamamte can whisper into his ear.
"You remember all that?" Kai asked.
Bernard Pape nodded as he eyed the pitch. Yet doubt was within him as he listened to his new teammate. "But I have never performed a role like this."
Kai slapped his back, "Be confident, you're built to play this way."
The fourth official gestured at the Pape, indicating he was clear to go on the pitch. "Go on Pape, just do what I say." Kai had a smile as he pushed the lanky player onto the pitch.
After a throw-in was awarded to RC Lens, Pape made his way onto the pitch in replacement for Séverin. Though the lanky player, at a height of 192cm, was not playing as a midfielder, nor was he playing as a defender, but at the very front of the formation right beside his striking partner Leroy.
Possession was in the grasp of RC Lens, but when play is assumed after the substitution, the visiting team realised an issue. That every single player on the field, when they have the ball to feet, is pressed by a Le Harve player.
When Jason Henders has the ball and is dribbling down the right flank, he is closed down by Mauger Chevalier. When Fernand Guillory, the Lens Left-Back, has the ball, he is closed down by Mtupeni Eze, the Le Harve Right Winger. When Zakharova has the ball, he is tightly marked by Benoit Leroy. And when Salmon has the ball, he is tightly marked by giant Bernard Pape.
The Lens team realised that whenever their backline players have the ball, they are immediately pressed by another player. They attempted to clear the ball up the field, but this was also to no avail. Without ample time to take a touch and measure a good pass, the long clearances to the Lens frontline are nothing but giving up easy possession.
Lens U-19 Manager, Cardot, noticed the changes immediately, with his eyebrows arched at the situation on the field. Yet he didn't make any changes. He only yelled at the backline for their discomposure and demanded them to play the ball out of defence, firmly stating they are not to clear the ball long.
Horace stared intently at the situation brewing on the field, his years of experience and tactical knowledge allows him to make observations normal fans can't notice. "This... Le Harve has changed formations from a 4-3-3 to a traditional 4-4-2?"
Cardot had his eyebrows crossed as he realised the Lens teams barely have any short patient passing, but frantic clearances from the backline. Isn't Le Harve playing a 4-4-2? That crap is outdated now, no one plays with those old-school tactics. But unease brewed in Cardot's heart. Why? Why are they losing the ball so often, and why can't they pass the ball to Lens Midfielders, where they clearly outnumber Le Harve 3 vs 2?
Sébastien: "Lens with the goal kick, the keeper rolls the ball to Guillory, who is immediately closed down Eze. Guillory dribbles down the left flank, before passing to Lens midfielder Toro..."
Sébastien's eyes nearly popped as he saw another player approaching from Toro's blindside. The players on the pitch realised what is happening, all but too late for the receiver of the pass. "BUT CHEVALIER STEALS THE BALL FROM TORO! LE HARVE WON THE BALL DEEP INTO LENS' HALF!"
Marley on the sidelines had his arm pointing at the Lens goalpost. "Counter." The manager yelled to his players. Lanier jumped from his seat as he screamed at the players. "COUNTER!!!." Kai looked at that interception and the agitated Cardot in the Lens technical area. The coach had a cheeky smile. "counter…" He whispered to himself.
"Chevalier with the ball, he is closed down by Toro. But the winger faints to the side to leave the midfielder tripping on himself."
The winger dribbled dangerously, attacking at speed towards the Lens backline. He felt foreign, strange as he is not on the left wing where he used to play, but closer to the centre of the pitch. For a moment, he felt freedom, a burden lifted off him as he suddenly felt he had so many more options, so much more plays he can do with him playing more centrally.
Chevalier looked up to observe the scene in front of him. The 192cm Pape and the nimble Leroy are pushing back the Lens Centre-Backs. On the right wing, Eze is a foot in front of Guillory, yet the right winger was not in the correct position to pose a threat.
The attacker had limited options to pass to. No. Chevalier had no options to pass to, not if he wanted to discontinue the counterattack. Then Chevalier looked directly ahead, ignoring his teammates and stared down the Lens keeper. If he has no options. Why bother passing at all?
Salmon, Zakharova, Guillory, and Henders frantically rushed back to stop the counterattack. The Lens midfielders also read the situation and rushed back at their fastest speed, yet they were too far up the pitch to get back in time. Salmon wished to stop the ball carrier as a first instinct, yet he was thoroughly stopped in his tracks as the tall Pape must be marked by him. The centre-back was anxious, if he close down Chevalier, he is confident he can dispossess him and win the ball back. But what if he doesn't make a successful challenge? If Salmon not only failed the challenge it would make the situation a 4 vs 3, and Zakharova would have to stop both Leroy and Pape. The young defender was left with no options, he could only watch with distress as Chevalier dribbled ever closer to their goal, and he could do nothing about it.
Still dribbling the ball with his feet, Chevalier rushed towards the Lens goal as the crowd chanted his name. In his eyes, he could see nothing but the goalpost. Even with the goal in his mind, he still tried to stop himself. He felt the blood flowing in his head. He felt his legs becoming weaker. He saw only one thing, the goalpost in his mind. He was soon approaching the box, dangerously close to the ball. What? What should I do? But those are question that he knows very well.
Chevalier curtained the ball slightly to the side as he positioned his body sideways towards the goal. Once he judged the trajectory, Chevalier turned to his right foot to unleash a dangerous shot on goal.
Sébastien: "Chevalier already scored the first goal of the match. The winger approaches the box. He shoots..."
The Lens keeper wasn't anything but focused, he had already conceded a goal from the winger, and his pride as the protector of the post wouldn't allow him to let his team be 1 – 2 losing. He watched nervously as the Left Winger dashed directly to him. No one could help him in this situation, his central defenders are preoccupied with marking Le Harve striking duos. It is only him and the winger.
Chevalier lifted his right foot as he aimed for the far post. He gave no thought to making a safe shot as he wanted to release all the tension that had built up in his body. He just wanted to see that white ball flying into the back of the net. His muscles contracted as he watched the ball fly towards the goalpost, shooting through the air in a straight line. With absolutely no control. Just with his instinct.
The Le Harve players and RC Lens players could only watch anxiously as they felt the sudden hush throughout the stadium. Chevalier had successfully scored his first goal. But he has yet to score the second.
Sébastien: "OHHH. CHEVALIER HITS THE BALL JUST OVER THE POST... I am certain everyone thought that ball was going in."
Marley who was standing on the sideline couldn't believe it, Chevalier is not just a gifted player, he is a phenomenon. He made a simple body feint to lose his marker before taking the best angle he could take to score a goal 20 yards away from the goal. Not to mention he did this whilst playing in an unfamiliar position. Marley would have been on his knees if the player had scored that goal, all the joy in the world wouldn't match his emotions if the ball found the net.
So close... Le Harve was so close to scoring another goal.
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