Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 171: Five-up

Chapter 171: Five-up

Overtoom stood at the corner flag once again, taking a slow breath as he assessed the chaos inside the box.

The SC Veendam defenders were practically holding onto each other, bracing for yet another wave of pressure.

[This is relentless,] Mike said. [SC Veendam have defended with everything they’ve got, but how much longer can they keep this up?]

Overtoom raised his hand, signaling his intent. His cross curled in sharply, bending toward the six-yard box at an awkward height.

Bodies lunged.

[Dangerous ball in—]

Mulder rose first, twisting his neck to meet the ball with a glancing header.

But it didn’t go far.

Instead, the clearance fell right at the feet of Beerens, who was lurking just outside the area.

[And it drops to Beerens! He’s got space!]

The winger wasted no time, setting himself with one touch before rifling a vicious half-volley through the sea of bodies.

The shot was a bullet, low and hard, arrowing toward the bottom corner.

Nienhuis saw it late.

The goalkeeper threw himself down, stretching desperately—

But the ball flashed past him and straight into the back of the net.

GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!!~

[It’s five!!!] Mike roared. [Beerens finally gets his goal! And that might just be the dagger through the heart of the SC Veendam players and fans alike!]

The AFAS Stadion erupted as Beerens sprinted toward the corner flag with his fists clenched in celebration. His teammates swarmed him, their faces a mix of joy and relief.

[They’ve battered and battered at that goal, and finally, SC Veendam’s resistance is broken again,] the co-commentator said, shaking his head. [You have to say, they’ve defended like warriors, but this AZ Alkmaar team... they just don’t stop coming]

The scoreboard flashed once more.

AZ Alkmaar 5-0 SC Veendam, 35th Minute.

On the SC Veendam bench, their coach buried his face in his hands. His team had fought bravely, but there was no stopping this onslaught.

[And there’s still plenty of time left in this first half,] Mike added. [This could get ugly]

The SC Veendam players dragged themselves back to the center circle. Their hands were on their hips, and faces drained of energy and the will to continue.

They had fought, thrown everything in the way, but AZ Alkmaar were ruthless.

[You have to feel for them,] the co-commentator said. [Five goals down in the 35th minute, and it’s not even halftime. They’ve blocked, tackled, and cleared, but AZ Alkmaar just keep coming]

[And it’s the speed of play that’s killing them,] Mike added. [Every time they get a foot in, AZ Alkmaar already have another wave crashing forward]

Fweeee!

The whistle blew, and the game restarted. SC Veendam, desperate for a lifeline, tried to string a few passes together.

A quick exchange between Boussaboun and Maynard got them out of their own half, but the moment they tried to push forward, Haye was there, snapping into a tackle.

[And Haye wins it back! Look at that energy,] Mike said. [AZ Alkmaar aren’t satisfied with five, they want more!]

Haye didn’t waste a second. As soon as he won the ball, he tapped it sideways to Adam, who instantly laid it off to Overtoom and they formed a triangle.

One touch. Two touches. Three.

The ball zipped between AZ Alkmaar shirts, never staying in one place for more than a heartbeat.

[Oh, look at this,] Mike said, his voice laced with amusement. [AZ Alkmaar are putting on a show now!]

SC Veendam players chased shadows, their legs heavy, and their minds scrambled. Each time they lunged for the ball, it was already gone, pinged away with a delicate flick or a sharp pass.

[This is just cruel,] the co-commentator chuckled. [Tiki-taka at its finest. They’re toying with them now]

Adam received the ball again and with a quick glance, he spotted Guðmundsson drifting into space. A sharp pass followed, cutting through the helpless midfield press.

One touch from Adam to Guðmundsson, a return pass to Overtoom and a flick to Beerens.

And then back to Adam.

[It’s mesmerizing to watch,] Mike said. [SC Veendam don’t know where to step, where to press—nothing!]

Frustration bubbled over. Maynard lunged in, desperate to break the cycle, but Adam was too quick, shifting the ball to his left before rolling it backward with his studs.

[Oh, that’s cheeky!]

Adam spun away, playing a no-look pass to Guðmundsson, who let the ball roll across his body before slipping a disguised pass into the 18 yard box for Jóhannsson.

[Here they come again—]

Jóhannsson barely had to move. The ball arrived at his feet like it had been guided there, and he took a controlled touch before shaping up to shoot.

But just as he pulled the trigger—

A last-ditch challenge from Mulder sent the ball spinning away, skidding out for a corner.

[Mulder, once again, throwing himself in the way,] the co-commentator said. [That’s what, his fourth block in 10 minutes?]

[At this point, SC Veendam’s best hope is just getting to halftime and not coming out for the second half,] Mike added. [But AZ Alkmaar... they smell blood now. They want another one before the whistle in the next 10 minutes]

Overtoom jogged over to the corner flag, a small smirk playing on his lips. He raised his hand, signaling the movement inside the 18 yard box once again.

[Here we go. Another set piece. Another chance to twist the knife deeper into their trembling hearts]

Overtoom lined up once more, his eyes scanning the 18 yard box as he prepared for another delivery.

The tension was palpable, with SC Veendam’s defense standing firm, but the fatigue was showing.

[They’ve been on the ropes for what feels like an eternity,] Mike observed, his tone still laced with disbelief. [I can’t see them holding out much longer]

Overtoom took a deep breath, his foot making a subtle motion against the turf. With a flick of his wrist, the ball arced in the air, curling toward the near post.

[Here it comes—] the co-commentator started, his voice trailing with anticipation.