Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 125: A Bizarre Consolation Goal [Bonus]

Chapter 125: A Bizarre Consolation Goal [Bonus]

Alvarado reacted with lightning speed, diving full stretch to his right and just getting his fingertips on the ball to push it wide.

[Oh, what a save! Alvarado keeps the clean sheet intact with a top-class stop,] the first commentator shouted.

[That’s outstanding goalkeeping! Roda JC were inches away from a consolation goal,] the second commentator added. [Credit to Alvarado—he’s been sharp all night despite having little to do]

The deflected shot rolled out for a corner, and the Roda JC players jogged toward the box with renewed energy, sensing an opportunity to salvage some pride.

[This is their first corner of the game, would you believe it?] the first commentator said. [Let’s see if they can make something of it]

The corner taker stood over the ball, raising a hand to signal his teammates. The box was crowded with players jostling for position.

AZ Alkmaar’s defenders kept their eyes on the ball, their movements synchronized as they marked their opponents tightly.

[You’ve got to feel for Roda JC. It’s been a long night, but this is a rare chance to at least test the keeper again,] the second commentator said.

The corner was whipped in with venom, aimed directly at the crowded penalty spot. Bodies flew as players from both teams leapt for the ball, their movements chaotic in the tight space.

A Roda JC forward managed a glancing header, sending the ball spiraling toward the crossbar.

CLANG!!!

The ball smacked against the bar, rebounding into the sea of players.

[What a hit! Off the bar!] the first commentator exclaimed. [It’s absolute mayhem in there!]

Marcellis tried to clear it with an outstretched boot, but his effort only ricocheted off the back of a teammate’s head.

The ball bounced awkwardly, hitting a Roda JC striker’s knee before ricocheting toward goal again.

Alvarado dove to his right, flailing at the ball as it pinged off the inside of the post and back into play.

The chaos continued as Martens and a Roda JC attacker collided, both falling to the ground while reaching for the loose ball.

[It’s like pinball in the box! Who’s going to get a touch on this?] the second commentator said, his voice rising with excitement.

The ball spun wildly before taking a bizarre deflection off someone’s shin—whose shin, nobody could tell. It looped into the air, brushed the underside of the crossbar, and finally trickled over the line.

[It’s in! It’s in!] the first commentator yelled. [Roda JC have scored, but I don’t think anyone knows who or how!]

Fweeee!

The referee blew his whistle and pointed to the center circle, confirming the goal.

The Roda JC’s players looked at each other in surprise before celebrating, more relieved than anything else.

The scorer—if you could even call it that—was quickly surrounded by teammates, though he looked just as confused as everyone else.

[That has to be one of the strangest goals I’ve ever seen,] the second commentator said, chuckling. [Who gets credit for that? The crossbar?]

In the dugout, the Roda JC manager threw his arms up, half-laughing, half-shaking his head. On the other side, Gertjan Verbeek paced furiously, barking instructions at his players for allowing the situation to unfold.

The AZ Alkmaar fans groaned in unison, some laughing at the absurdity of it all, while others clapped sarcastically.

Meanwhile, the small contingent of Roda JC supporters erupted in loud cheers, relishing their rare moment of joy.

[Well, the clean sheet is gone, but what a way to lose it,] the first commentator said. [Alvarado must be fuming. He’s made two brilliant saves in the buildup, only for the ball to somehow find its way in]

[You can’t write this stuff, can you?] the second commentator replied. [Even when they score, Roda JC don’t do it the easy way]

As the players reset for the kickoff, Benjamin glanced back at Alvarado, who gestured with a wry smile as if to say, "What can I do?" Benjamin smirked, shaking his head before focusing on the restart.

The scoreboard now read 6-1, and though the goal meant little in the grand scheme, it injected a brief moment of levity into an otherwise one-sided game.

As the final minutes of the match ticked down, the atmosphere in the stadium remained electric, and the crowd was still buzzing from the chaotic moments earlier.

AZ Alkmaar was cruising to a dominant victory, but Roda JC’s unlikely goal had momentarily given them something to celebrate.

[You have to admire Roda JC’s resilience,] the first commentator said, trying to find a silver lining. [They’ve been under the cosh all game, but they’ve managed to get one back—however bizarre it was]

[Yeah, not exactly a textbook finish, but a goal’s a goal,] the second commentator replied, still chuckling. [I’m sure their fans will take it, even if they’re not sure who should be credited with it!]

The crowd’s chants shifted, now overwhelmingly focused on the home side, as Benjamin dribbled toward the center circle as play restarted.

His confidence was still sky-high despite thr odd goal from the opposition. His energy was seemingly undiminished by the frantic pace of the match.

[And let’s not forget,] the first commentator continued, [Benjamin Rijkaard has been a class above tonight. He’s been involved in nearly every attacking move for AZ Alkmaar]

Benjamin nudged the ball gently to Martens, who played a quick pass forward to Berghuis.

The ball was zipping around again, controlled and sharp, as AZ Alkmaar looked to add yet another goal to their tally.

[There’s the young man again, always involved,] the second commentator said, a sense of awe in his voice. [He’s made this game look easy, and at 17, you have to wonder how good he can get]

Benjamin’s awareness was evident as he moved into space, his quick head fakes causing defenders to bite on non-existent moves. He was toying with them now, as the game had well and truly slipped away from Roda JC.

[Look at this,] the first commentator said, excitement rising again. [Benjamin’s got room to run—again!]