Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 165: Two-up

Chapter 165: Two-up

[And they’ve lost it again! Adam... oh, look at that turn!]

With a sharp pivot, Adam left his marker scrambling before threading a pass to Overtoom, who had already scanned the field for the best offensive option.

Overtoom didn’t need a second invitation. He let the ball roll across his body before slotting it through to Guðmundsson on the left wing.

[This is dangerous—Guðmundsson’s in space!]

The Icelandic winger took one touch, then another, sprinting down the flank.

Kelvin Maynard tried to keep up, but Guðmundsson had too much pace, too much control.

The crowd sensed it, the anticipation rising with every step he took. He reached the edge of the 18 yard box, feinted inside before darting outside, then whipped in a low, curling cross.

An almost replica of Beerens’ previous cross...

[Another good delivery from the wing!]

This time, it was aimed between the penalty spot and the six-yard box, right into the danger zone.

Jóhannsson read it, already moving before the defenders could react. He darted in front of his marker, stretched out a leg—

Thump!

But his first-time effort didn’t have the right connection and flew just over the bar.

[Oh, that was close!]

[He had the right idea, but just couldn’t keep it down!]

Jóhannsson clapped his hands in frustration, but the home fans responded with applause. They knew that another goal was coming. It was only a matter of time.

And AZ Alkmaar knew it too.

SC Veendam restarted play, but they barely had time to take a breath before the pressure came again.

Overtoom, Adam, and Haye suffocated the midfield, forcing another hurried clearance from the opposition.

Wijnaldum stepped up, nodding the ball down to Haye, who quickly shifted it wide to Beerens.

[Here they come again! It’s wave after wave!]

Beerens, full of confidence, danced past his marker with a neat change of pace, cutting infield toward the edge of the 18 yard box.

He had options in front of him—Guðmundsson on the left, and Jóhannsson making a run in-between the SC Veendam central defenders—but he saw an opening himself.

And so he let fly.

Crack!

A venomous strike with power, curled towards the top left corner—

But Nienhuis, once again, came to SC Veendam’s rescue, leaping to his right to palm it away.

[What a save! Nienhuis keeping the scoreline respectable!]

[But for how long? AZ Alkmaar are relentless!]

The rebound fell to Overtoom, who instinctively flicked it toward the far post, but the ball was scrambled away at the last second.

SC Veendam were hanging on by a thread.

AZ Alkmaar, though, were patient. They didn’t force it. They knew the gaps would come.

And in the 14th minute, they did.

It started with Adam again, winning the ball in midfield before spraying a diagonal pass to Beerens.

[And here’s Beerens again, driving forward with intent...]

The winger’s first touch was immaculate, and his second was even better—skipping past his man, Ali Boussaboun, before bending a cross toward the far post.

Gudmundsson arrived right on cue, fighting off an airborne challenge from his marker, Maynard, before nodding the ball down into the six-yard box.

Jóhannsson was lurking behind the two central defenders.

This time, he took no chances.

One touch. Low and precise.

Into the bottom corner...

[GOOOOOOAL! ARON JÓHANNSSON SCORES AGAIN!]

GOOOAAAAALLLLLLL!!!~

The stadium erupted as the net rippled, the home fans rose to their feet in celebration.

[He wasn’t going to miss that one! 2-0 to AZ Alkmaar, and you have to say, they fully deserve it!]

[They’re absolutely flying right now! SC Veendam just can’t cope!]

The cameras cut to Jóhannsson who was pumping his fist in the air before being mobbed by his teammates.

The replays showed the move in slow motion—Adam’s vision, Beerens’ pinpoint cross, Gudmundsson’s smart knockdown.

And the killer finish...

[It’s a brilliant team goal,] the co-commentator said. [Everything about it—fluid, quick, and ruthless]

[If SC Veendam don’t find a way to respond, this could get ugly]

[Another clinical finish from the Icelandic-American!]

[He’s been relentless! And look at the way AZ Alkmaar moved the ball there—absolute precision!]

SC Veendam players stood frozen for a second, shoulders slumping. Some exchanged glances, frustration evident on their faces.

Although, they expected a tough experience here in Alkmaar, conceding twice in 14 minutes still left a bitter taste in their mouths.

Maynard wiped sweat from his forehead, exhaling sharply.

On the touchline, AZ Alkmaar manager Gertjan Verbeek clapped and a satisfied nod followed after. He turned to his assistants, saying something with a small smirk.

SC Veendam’s bench told a different story. Their manager, Gert Heerkes, paced furiously, gesturing at his players to wake up. His jaw was clenched, his frustration boiling over as he barked instructions.

[SC Veendam need to find a response, and fast,] the co-commentator said. [They’re getting carved open far too easily]

Benjamin, who was sitting relaxedly on the bench, sat forward slightly, watching intently.

He and the other substitutes exchanged small nods, recognizing the inevitability of the goal even before it happened. The buildup had been too smooth, too precise.

Fweeeee!~

The match restarted, but the pattern remained unchanged.

AZ Alkmaar pressed high, suffocating SC Veendam’s attempts to play out from the back. The visitors barely had time to think before an AZ Alkmaar shirt was on them, snapping at their heels.

A long clearance from SC Veendam’s backline was easily collected by Wijnaldum, who calmly nodded it to Haye in midfield.

[And again, AZ Alkmaar regain possession with ease]

Haye didn’t hesitate.

After making a quick turn, he flicked the ball to Overtoom in midfield, and suddenly, AZ Alkmaar were moving on the offensive again.

[Look at the speed of this transition—SC Veendam are chasing shadows!]

Overtoom spotted the run of Guðmundsson on the left and played him in with a perfectly struck lobbed through pass.

The Icelandic winger controlled it in stride, lifting his head to assess his options before cutting inside.

The defenders scrambled mindlessly, unsure whether to step up for a challenge or drop back.