Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 139: Offside

Chapter 139: Offside

The intensity on the pitch didn’t let up as both teams pushed for the opening goal.

PSV, buoyed by their home crowd, maintained possession and kept probing AZ Alkmaar’s defense for any gaps. Meanwhile, AZ Alkmaar remained composed, waiting for their chance to counter.

Dries Mertens picked up the ball on the left wing, his quick feet dazzling as he weaved past Martens and Marcellis.

The crowd roared as he approached the edge of the 18-yard box with his eyes locked on goal.

[Dries Mertens, on the move!] Mike’s voice surged with energy. [He’s got space to produce something here—will he take the shot?]

Mertens unleashed a curling effort aimed for the far corner, but Alvarado reacted with a stunning dive with his arms outstretched to the limit, tipping the ball around the post.

[What a save by Alvarado!] Mike shouted as the stadium collectively held its breath. [That was heading in!]

[Brilliant goalkeeping,] the co-commentator said, admiration clear in his tone. [Dries Mertens couldn’t have hit that any better. AZ Alkmaar’s goalkeeper is keeping them in this game right now]

PSV earned a corner, with Strootman stepping up to deliver. His cross was well struck, finding Bouma’s towering frame in the crowd.

Bouma’s header connected well and was powerful but it narrowly missed the target, the ball skimming over the bar.

[PSV knocking early on the door now,] Mike observed. [AZ Alkmaar need to be careful—they’re inviting pressure]

AZ Alkmaar regrouped, their defenders barking instructions as they set up for the goal kick.

Alvarado launched the ball forward, and AZ Alkmaar quickly transitioned into attack. Benjamin was at the heart of it this time around, orchestrating play with confidence.

[Benjamin Rijkaard again, pulling the strings,] Mike said as Benjamin received the ball near the center circle. [He’s got such composure for his age]

Benjamin spotted Berghuis making a run down the right flank and delivered a perfectly struck long pass over PSV defenders head.

Berghuis controlled it expertly with his chest, letting roll down to his leg before cutting inside onto his left foot as his marker, Derijck, closed him down.

[Berghuis, looking dangerous here,] Mike said, his voice quickening. [He’s got options in the box!]

Berghuis swung in a low cross, and Altidore fought through an experienced physical challenge before stretching to meet it, but Bouma got a crucial touch to clear it out for a corner.

[Great defending from Bouma,] the co-commentator said. [Altidore was inches away from connecting there]

The corner kick was taken short, with Henriksen receiving it on the edge of the box. He tried a quick one-two with Elm, but PSV’s defense held firm, intercepting and launching another counter.

[This match has been relentless so far,] Mike said, barely able to keep up. [Both teams are going at it with everything they’ve got]

[It’s got the feel of a game where one moment of brilliance might decide it,] his partner replied.

The interception from Strootman spurred PSV into a blistering counterattack.

Strootman won the ball just outside his 18 yard box and wasted no time releasing a perfectly played long pass to Jeremain Lens on the right flank.

[Lens is off! Look at that pace!] Mike exclaimed as Lens surged forward with the ball glued to his feet.

Lens skipped past Gorter with blistering pace like he wasn’t there, the AZ Alkmaar left-back was left chasing shadows behind him before regaining balance and chasing frantically.

The PSV faithful roared in despair, sensing danger.

[This could be trouble for AZ Alkmaar,] the co-commentator said, his voice laced with tension. [Jeremain Lens has acres of space to exploit]

Lens drove towards the 18 yard box, his speed unrelenting. Benjamin and Henriksen scrambled to track back from their previous attacking positions, but Lens was already scanning for options in the box.

Matavž was sprinting into the 18 yard box with his hands raised, demanding the ball.

[Lens looks up—there’s Matavž! Can he find him?] Mike’s voice peaked as Lens delivered a pin-point low cross.

Matavž timed his run perfectly, slipping between Marcellis and Viergever. The ball met his boot cleanly as he controlled it with one touch, and with one swift motion, he swept it past Alvarado into the net.

Despite the Dutchman’s efforts, he could only look on as the ball rolled past him and nestled into the back of the net.

GOOAAAALLLLLL!~

The stadium erupted. The PSV fans were on their feet, celebrating what seemed to be the opening goal.

[Goal for PSV! What a counterattack!] Mike shouted, his excitement almost drowning in the crowd’s roar.

[Hold on, Mike! The flag’s up!] his co-commentator interjected sharply. [The linesman’s raised his flag. This could be offside]

Fweeee!

The celebrations were cut short as the referee blew his whistle and pointed towards the AZ Alkmaar defense.

Matavž turned to the linesman in disbelief, his arms spread wide in protest.

[It’s offside! Let’s take a closer look at this,] Mike said, as the replay flashed on the big screen.

The slow-motion replay showed Matavž just a fraction ahead of Marcellis when Lens delivered the cross. It was tight, but the linesman had made his decision.

[Oh, that’s close,] the co-commentator said, studying the replay. [But the linesman’s got it right. Matavž was just leaning offside]

The AZ Alkmaar fans, packed into their corner of the stadium, exhaled collectively, their chants resuming with renewed energy.

[Relief for AZ Alkmaar,] Mike noted. [But they’ll need to regroup quickly. PSV are showing just how dangerous they can be on the break]

[That’s a warning for AZ Alkmaar,] the co-commentator added. [They can’t afford to give Lens and Matavž that much space. Next time, they might not be so lucky]

As Alvarado set the ball for the free kick, the AZ Alkmaar players took a moment to reorganize themselves, and their captain Martens, barked instructions.

Meanwhile, the PSV players looked hungry, eager to capitalize on their dominance.

[This game’s only getting started,] Mike said, his voice steadying. [If the first ten minutes are anything to go by, we’re in for a cracker]