Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 145: Pressure

The home crowd were stunned into silence moments earlier, roared back to life and urged their team to respond.

[PSV are wasting no time here,] Mike said, his voice filled with tension. [They’re looking to hit back immediately]

Strootman orchestrated from midfield, his commanding presence dictating the tempo. With a sharp turn, he evaded Martens and threaded a precise pass to Lens, who was hovering dangerously on the left flank.

[Lens is in space, and you know how dangerous he can be from here,] the co-commentator warned.

Lens controlled the ball with his chest, his pace carrying him past Marcellis, who desperately tried to keep up.

The winger darted toward the 18 yard box, his quick feet drawing two defenders toward him.

[This is where Lens comes alive!] Mike exclaimed. [Can he deliver?]

Lens faked a cross, causing Viergever to commit, before cutting inside with a burst of acceleration.

He created a pocket of space for himself and unleashed a curling shot aimed for the far corner.

[It’s Jeremain Lens! He’s gone for goal—]

Alvarado, whose reflexes had been tested all evening, reacted instinctively. Diving to his right, and he managed to get a fingertip to the ball, deflecting it just wide of the post.

[What a save! Alvarado again keeping AZ Alkmaar in the lead!] Mike roared, the crowd’s groans blending with the cheers from the away supporters.

[He’s been immense tonight,] the co-commentator added. [That was heading for the top corner—absolutely brilliant from the goalkeeper]

PSV earned another corner, their determination evident in the hurried movements of the players positioning themselves in the 18 yard box.

[They’re piling on the pressure, Mike,] the co-commentator said. [AZ Alkmaar’s defense is holding firm for now, but how long can they keep this up?]

Dries Mertens stepped up to take the corner this time, delivering a wickedly curling ball toward the penalty spot.

The AZ Alkmaar defense rose to meet it, Viergever once again proving his worth with a commanding header that cleared the danger.

The clearance fell to Altidore, who, with his back to goal, controlled the ball and immediately turned to launch a counterattack.

[Altidore’s done well to hold that up,] Mike noted. [And here come AZ Alkmaar again!]

The American striker shrugged off his marker with sheer strength before playing a perfectly weighted pass out wide to Berghuis.

The young winger, who was still full of energy, sprinted down the right flank. His pace had constantly been a threat to his marker, the PSV’s left-back, Willems.

[Berghuis has been relentless tonight,] the co-commentator said. [He’s giving Willems a torrid time out there]

Berghuis reached the edge of the final third, slowing momentarily to assess his options. He spotted Elm making a late run into the 18 yard box, and then he whipped a low cross toward the midfielder.

Elm lunged for the ball, but Waterman anticipated the danger, diving forward to smother the cross before it could cause any further trouble.

[Good goalkeeping from Waterman,] Mike said. [He’s keeping PSV in this match]

With time ticking towards the 30th minute of the first half, the intensity only grew.

Every tackle, pass, and interception from the players was met with equal parts cheer and groan, the atmosphere inside the Philips Stadion electric.

[This is football at its best,] the co-commentator said, his voice tinged with admiration. [Neither side is giving an inch, and the stakes couldn’t be higher]

As the clock edged closer to the 40th minute, the tension was palpable. PSV continued to press, their attacks relentless.

But AZ Alkmaar stood firm, their players throwing themselves into every challenge with unwavering determination.

[AZ Alkmaar are hanging on here,] Mike said, his tone a mixture of excitement and nervousness. [But PSV are knocking louder and louder]

The Philips Stadion was a cauldron of noise, the fans sensing the first half’s pivotal moment approaching.

[One goal could change everything,] the co-commentator said. [And with the way this match has gone, it feels like we’re in for one more twist]

PSV continued to press with purpose, their attacks becoming sharper with every passing minute.

Strootman, who was their commanding figure in midfield, orchestrated another move with a clever one-two with Mertens before threading the ball out wide to Willems, who had surged forward from left-back.

[Willems is joining the attack now,] Mike observed. [PSV throwing everything at AZ Alkmaar!]

Willems sprinted down the flank, his energy unrelenting as he drove toward the byline. Berghuis tracked him closely, but the PSV defender managed to get a step ahead. With a quick shift of his body, Willems cut back and lofted a teasing ball into the 18 yard box.

[Dangerous delivery here!] Mike exclaimed. [This could spell trouble for AZ Alkmaar!]

The cross was aimed perfectly between the penalty spot and six-yard box. Jeremain Lens, who was always lurking, leaped higher than Marcellis to meet it with a powerful header.

The ball ricocheted off Elm, who had rushed back to cover, and spun dangerously toward Alvarado’s near post.

[It’s Jeremain Lens again! Oh, it’s taken a deflection—]

Alvarado dived to his right, swatting the ball clear, but the rebound fell directly to Matavž at the edge of the six-yard box.

Before the striker could unleash his shot, Gorter came sliding in, timing his challenge to perfection.

[What a block from Gorter!] Mike shouted, the tension palpable. [He’s put his body on the line there!]

The ball ricocheted off Gorter’s outstretched leg and spun out toward the left corner flag, where Lens chased it down, refusing to let the attack die.

[PSV aren’t letting up here,] the co-commentator said, his voice tight with anticipation. [AZ Alkmaar are under siege!]

Lens managed to keep the ball in play, but as he turned, Berghuis clattered into him, attempting a desperate clearance.

Fweeee!

The referee’s whistle pierced through the noise, and Jeremain Lens immediately grabbed the ball, gesturing toward the free-kick spot.