Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 124: Six-up [Bonus]

Chapter 124: Six-up [Bonus]

The crowd’s energy was infectious as the game ticked into its final stages.

AZ Alkmaar maintained their relentless high pressure pressing. Their players moving like clockwork, each pass and run showed their sharpness and cohesion.

Benjamin, once again stationed wide on the left, gestured subtly for the ball. Martens spotted him and delivered a precise diagonal pass that sliced through Roda JC’s midfield.

[That’s a beauty of a ball from Martens,] the first commentator said. [Benjamin’s got space to work with again!]

Benjamin controlled the pass with his left foot, his touch flawless. The defender hesitated, unsure whether to close him down or hold his ground.

Sensing the indecision, Benjamin burst forward, his acceleration leaving the defender flat-footed.

[He’s gone! Look at that pace!] the second commentator exclaimed. [Roda JC’s defense just can’t cope with him]

Benjamin reached the edge of the box and lifted his head, scanning for options. Johannsson made a darting run toward the near post, while Berghuis positioned himself at the far end of the 18 yard box.

Instead of crossing, Benjamin pulled off a clever step-over, cutting inside and firing a low shot toward the bottom corner.

The ball zipped past the defenders and looked destined for the net, but the Roda JC goalkeeper reacted with incredible reflexes, diving low to his right and pushing the ball out of danger.

[Oh, what a save again! This goalkeeper might be on the losing side, but he’s putting in a heroic performance,] the first commentator said.

The ball rolled out to Adam at the edge of the box, and he quickly tried a first-time strike, but it was blocked by a wall of defenders.

The rebound fell to Martens, who steadied himself before unleashing a powerful effort that sailed just over the bar.

[AZ Alkmaar are relentless. They’re not just playing to see the game out—they want more goals, and you can tell by the look of disappointment on Martens’ face] the second commentator said.

Roda JC tried to relieve the pressure with a rare foray forward. Their midfielder attempted a long ball over the top, hoping to catch AZ Alkmaar’s defense off guard.

But Marcellis, who was calm and composed under pressure, read the play perfectly. He stepped in to intercept and sent the ball back toward AZ Alkmaar’s attacking half.

[That sums it up for Roda JC, doesn’t it?] the first commentator said. [Even their rare attacks are being snuffed out with ease]

Benjamin found himself with the ball once more, this time deeper in his own half. He turned swiftly, evading an onrushing Roda JC player before sprinting down the left flank.

The home crowd roared in approval, their chants growing louder with each of his touches.

[This young man doesn’t stop, does he?] the second commentator said. [You’d think he’d be tiring by now, but he’s still running at full tilt]

Benjamin exchanged a quick one-two with Gorter who had overlapped forward, freeing himself from his marker before cutting inside.

The defenders converged on him, but he deftly slipped the ball through to Johannsson, whose shot was blocked by a last-ditch tackle.

[It’s like a wave after wave of attack,] the first commentator said. [Roda JC are drowning under this pressure]

The loose ball was picked up by Berghuis, who sent a lofted pass back to Benjamin on the left wing. Benjamin brought it down gracefully and squared up against a new defender.

A quick flick of his right foot sent the ball through the defender’s legs, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.

[That’s just disrespectful! He’s toying with them now,] the second commentator laughed. [But the fans are loving every second of it]

Benjamin surged into the box, this time opting for a chipped cross toward the back post.

Johannsson rose highest, connecting with a powerful header that finally beat the goalkeeper.

GOAAAALLL!!!~

[There it is! Johannsson gets his first of the evening, and it’s 6-0 for AZ Alkmaar!] the first commentator shouted. [And who else but Benjamin to provide the assist? He’s been absolutely unstoppable and that’s his third assist in this game! 2 goals and three assists from the 17 years old]

The crowd erupted in celebration, the noise reverberating through the stadium. Benjamin jogged over to Johannsson with a broad smile on his face as they shared a quick embrace.

[Another goal, another assist for Benjamin Rijkaard,] the second commentator said. [He’s been at the heart of everything good for AZ Alkmaar tonight. What a performance from the youngster]

As the game resumed, it was clear Roda JC had nothing left to give.

Their players moved sluggishly, and their attempts to string passes together often ending in turnovers.

In contrast, AZ Alkmaar continued to push, their hunger for goals unabated.

The clock edged toward the 85th minute, and the home crowd began to chant Benjamin’s name in unison.

The young winger glanced up, acknowledging their support with a brief wave before refocusing on the game.

[Listen to that,] the first commentator said. [This crowd knows they’re witnessing something special tonight. Benjamin’s performance will be remembered for a long time]

Two minutes later, Roda JC managed to break through AZ Alkmaar’s relentless pressing, capitalizing on a rare moment of hesitation in midfield.

Martens misjudged a bouncing ball, and it ricocheted off his shin, landing at the feet of Roda JC’s number 10, who wasted no time surging forward.

[Well, that’s a mistake you don’t see often from Martens,] the first commentator said. [Roda JC might have a chance here!]

The number 10 sprinted past Adam, who lunged in vain to stop him.

With space ahead, he threaded a perfectly weighted through ball between the center-backs to his teammate, a quick-footed winger who had timed his run to perfection.

[This is promising! Look at that pass, splitting the defense open!] the second commentator exclaimed.

The winger’s first touch was a little bit heavy, giving Marcellis a chance to recover, but the Roda JC player muscled past him, driving into the box.

With Alvarado charging off his line, the winger unleashed a low shot aimed at the far corner.