Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 173: A Rare Opportunity

Chapter 173: A Rare Opportunity

[Oh, it’s a comedy of errors! What was that? Adam’s shin almost did the job for SC Veendam!] the co-commentator chuckled, shaking his head.

[This is beyond cruel,] Mike added. [The chances just keep coming, and somehow, SC Veendam is still alive, but for how much longer?]

Guðmundsson was never one to give up. He pounced on the loose ball but his shot from the rebound was sent high and wide.

[Oh, and there goes another opportunity,] Mike remarked. [That’s three great chances in the space of a minute. SC Veendam are holding on by a thread]

Jan Korthuis finally managed to clear the ball upfield, desperately booting it away from danger.

[They live to fight another minute, but you’ve got to feel for them,] the co-commentator said, exasperated. [They’re taking hit after hit, but AZ Alkmaar just don’t let up.]

SC Veendam’s players looked deflated, their faces marked with exhaustion as they jogged back to their half.

Mulder, though, still moved with purpose, shouting at his teammates to remain disciplined.

[That man has heart,] Mike said. [Mulder has thrown his body in the way every chance he’s gotten today. But you get the feeling it’s just delaying the inevitable]

The moment the ball was cleared upfield, SC Veendam sprang to life.

Nienhuis, eager to capitalize on AZ Alkmaar’s commitment forward, took the goal kick quickly, launching the ball high and deep toward the halfway line.

[And here comes the counter!] Mike’s voice shot up. [SC Veendam are looking to pull one back before the halftime whistle!]

Michael de Leeuw controlled the ball brilliantly, chesting it down before flicking it forward.

Instantly, three yellow shirts burst into motion ahead of him—his attackers, Rogier Krohne, Marnix Kolder, and Alexander Bannink spread out in front with the AZ Alkmaar defense on edge.

[Look at this! It’s a four-on-three situation!] the co-commentator said, excitement creeping into his tone. [SC Veendam finally have numbers going forward for the first time tonight!]

AZ Alkmaar’s backline had no time to settle from the recent corner kick.

Mattias Johansson, Thomas Lam, and Giliano Wijnaldum found themselves scrambling to get into position as Michael de Leeuw surged forward with purpose.

[This is danger! AZ Alkmaar have been dominating all game, but they left themselves open here,] Mike observed. [SC Veendam could finally get one back if they play this card right]

Michael De Leeuw drove into the space, dragging Thomas Lam toward him before slipping a pass to Krohne, who sprinted down the left.

[Perfectly weighted pass! And here comes Rogier Krohne—] the co-commentator said.

Krohne didn’t hesitate. He took one touch to steady himself before swinging a low, driven cross toward the penalty spot.

[That’s a great ball! It’s right in the danger area!] Mike shouted.

Marnix Kolder was already on the move, shaking off his marker and making a darting run toward the ball.

But before he could connect, Mattias Johansson threw himself in the way, stretching his leg out to intercept.

[Superb defending from Johansson!] the co-commentator exclaimed. [That could’ve easily been a goal!]

But it wasn’t over. The deflected ball spilled out wide to Alexander Bannink, who took a sharp touch into the 18 yard box.

[Alexander Bannink’s still on it—he’s got a chance here!] Mike called.

Wijnaldum stepped up, positioning his body to cut off the angle. Bannink hesitated for a second before drilling a shot toward the near post.

THWACK!!!

[Big save from Yves De Winter!] the co-commentator yelled. [That was heading in!]

The AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper reacted sharply, getting down low to parry the ball out for a corner. SC Veendam had finally threatened the AZ Alkmaar defense for the second time since kickoff.

[That’s the most we’ve seen from SC Veendam in this half,] Mike noted. [And it all started with a quick goal kick and some smart movement up front]

[They need to do more of that,] the co-commentator added. [AZ Alkmaar’s defense finally looked stretched. Maybe—just maybe—they can get something from this corner]

As SC Veendam’s players jogged toward the box, their coach stood on the sidelines, clapping furiously, urging them to keep going.

[Well, here’s their best chance of the game,] Mike said. [Can they make it count?]

Michael De Leeuw placed the ball in the corner arc, taking a deep breath before stepping back.

His teammates crowded the penalty area, jostling for position against the AZ Alkmaar defenders.

[They have to make this one count,] the co-commentator said. [Opportunities like this have been extra rare for SC Veendam tonight. They’ve got to reduce the texture by pulling one back before the halftime whistle]

Michael De Leeuw raised his arm, signaling the delivery. The referee gave a quick glance to the shoving players inside the 18 yard box before blowing his whistle.

Fweeee!

[Here it comes—] Mike’s voice tightened as the ball curled toward the near post.

Marnix Kolder leapt high, fighting off a challenge from Mattias Johansson before his forehead made solid contact with the ball.

THUMP!

[Header on goal!] Mike shouted.

The ball rocketed toward the bottom corner, but Yves De Winter was quick to react, diving low to his right.

[De Winter gets a hand to it! What a stop!] the co-commentator yelled.

The rebound bounced dangerously inside the six-yard box. For a split second, chaos erupted as players lunged toward it.

[Still loose! Who’s getting there first?] Mike’s voice crackled with tension.

Alexander Bannink charged in, trying to poke the ball past De Winter, but before he could get a clean strike, Thomas Lam slid in, clearing the ball just in time.

[Heroic defending from Thomas Lam!] the co-commentator gasped. [That was millimeters away from going in!]

The ball skidded out to the edge of the 18 yard box, where Rogier Krohne tried to line up a shot. He swung his foot back—

[Oh, this could be it—] Mike started.

But before he could unleash the strike, Adam lunged in, nicking the ball away with a perfectly timed challenge.

[And Adam shuts it down! That’s textbook defensive awareness!] the co-commentator praised.