Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 114: One-up

Chapter 114: One-up

The ball found its way to Benjamin on the right flank. He took a quick touch, darted past his marker, and whipped in a dangerous low cross into the box.

Roda’s defense scrambled back, barely managing to clear it out to safety.

[There’s Benjamin again, making his mark early in this game,] the first commentator said with a hint of excitement. [He’s so confident on the ball for someone so young]

[And look at that delivery,] the second commentator chimed in. [It’s no wonder he’s already got five assists this season. The kid just knows how to create chances]

The game continued with AZ Alkmaar dominating possession. Their passes were well played, their movement sharp, and their intent clear to all.

Roda JC, meanwhile, were struggling to get out of their own half which resorted to them playing long balls that were easily dealt with by AZ Alkmaar’s backline.

[This is one-way traffic so far,] the second commentator remarked. [Roda can’t seem to get a foothold in the game. They’re being completely smothered by AZ Alkmaar’s possession game]

[And that’s the danger of sitting too deep,] the first commentator replied. [You invite pressure, and with players like Benjamin and Beerens on the flanks, AZ Alkmaar will punish you sooner or later]

As the clock ticked past the 15-minute mark, AZ Alkmaar earned their first corner of the game.

Benjamin jogged over to take it, and the fans in the stands behind him were roaring in anticipation.

[Here’s a chance for AZ Alkmaar,] the second commentator said as the teenager placed the ball carefully. [Benjamin’s deliveries have been spot-on this season. Let’s see what he can conjure up here]

Benjamin raised his hand, signaling to his teammates before curling the ball into the box with precision.

It found the head of Altidore, whose powerful header was saved spectacularly by the Roda JC goalkeeper.

[What a save! Unbelievable reflexes there,] the first commentator exclaimed as the crowd let out a collective gasp.

[But that’s the kind of danger AZ Alkmaar brings,] the second commentator added. [Benjamin with another inch-perfect cross, and Jozy Altidore so close to breaking the deadlock]

The tempo of the game increased, with AZ Alkmaar continuing to pile on the pressure as the fans roared their approval. It felt like only a matter of time before the home side found their breakthrough.

The match continued with AZ Alkmaar firmly in control, their dominance reflected not only in possession but also in their relentless pressure.

The ball rarely left Roda JC’s half, and the statistics on the screen told the story: AZ with 80% possession to Roda’s 20%, and 12 goal attempts compared to none for the visitors.

It was clear which team had seized control. The visitors were pinned back, their players chasing shadows as AZ Alkmaar dictated the tempo with ease.

[This is getting one-sided now,] the first commentator observed as AZ strung together another sequence of quick, short passes. [Roda JC are just chasing shadows at this point]

[Look at the numbers,] the second commentator chimed in. [Twelve attempts for AZ Alkmaar and not a single one for Roda JC. It’s almost like a training session out there for the home side]

[Right on the mark there, it’s relentless from AZ Alkmaar,] the first commentator said, his tone filled with anticipation. [Roda JC are struggling to keep up. It’s only a matter of time, surely]

[You can see the frustration on Roda JC’s players,] the second commentator added. [They’ve barely crossed the halfway line, and AZ Alkmaar just keeps coming. If they’re not careful, they’ll crack]

Benjamin was everywhere, drifting between the left flank and central areas, constantly looking to exploit gaps in Roda JC’s defensive lines.

He received a sharp pass from Beerens and quickly turned, gliding past two defenders before firing a low shot that skimmed just wide of the far post.

[Oh, so close from Benjamin Rijkaard! That could’ve been his third league goal of the season,] the first commentator exclaimed.

[You have to admire his confidence, though,] the second commentator added. [He’s always looking to make something happen. That turn to beat two defenders was just brilliant]

As the game approached the 20th minute, the breakthrough began with Henriksen deep in midfield.

Spotting Altidore dropping into a pocket of space near the edge of the box, he threaded a perfect ground pass through Roda JC’s tightly packed first line of defense.

[Beautiful vision from Henriksen! Look at that pass, right into Altidore’s feet,] the first commentator exclaimed.

Altidore turned sharply, leaving his marker flat-footed. His first touch was sublime, setting him up perfectly as he drove toward the penalty area.

[That’s brilliant control from Jozy Altidore,] the second commentator chimed in. [He’s so composed under pressure. Watch him now—this could be it]

Sensing an opportunity, Benjamin sprinted down the left flank. Altidore spotted the teenager’s run and played a delicate through ball into his path, splitting the last line of defense wide open.

[What a pass! Altidore sets Benjamin free on the right,] the first commentator’s voice rose with excitement.

Benjamin reached the ball just before it crossed the byline, his pace and balance impeccable.

Without hesitation, he cut the ball inside with his right foot, his marker trailing helplessly, before firing a low cross into the six-yard box.

[There’s Benjamin again! Look at him glide past his man. The delivery—perfectly placed! Could this be it?!]

The ball zipped through the crowded area and found Altidore, who had continued his run.

He was left unmarked and with much composed, he calmly side-footed the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

[GOAL! Finally, AZ Alkmaar break the deadlock!] the first commentator shouted as the stadium erupted into cheers.

[Altidore! And what a team goal that was,] the second commentator added, his voice brimming with admiration. [From Henriksen’s pass to Benjamin’s assist—just top-class football all around]

The players celebrated passionately, Altidore pointing to Benjamin in acknowledgment of his assist.

The fans roared louder, their chants echoing across the stadium.

[You have to admire the build-up of the goal,] the first commentator said as the replay rolled. [Henriksen’s vision to spot Altidore, Altidore’s intelligence and unselfishness to release Benjamin, and Benjamin’s pace and top notch delivery to locate Altidore in the six-yard box—it’s football at its finest]

[And Roda JC are left with a mountain to climb now,] the second commentator noted. [They’ve hardly had a touch of the ball in the first 20 minutes, and AZ Alkmaar are playing like a team possessed]

The scoreline now read 1-0 in favor of AZ Alkmaar, and the energy in the AFAS Stadion soared as the home side reset for the restart.