Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 177: Double Quickfire

Chapter 177: Double Quickfire

Fweeeee!

The corner swung in with venom, curling toward the six-yard box. Nienhuis hesitated, caught between coming off his line or staying put.

[Dangerous ball in—]

Before he could decide, Johannsson attacked it. Rising above his marker, he flicked the ball backward with a delicate touch.

[It’s a clever header—who’s there?!]

The answer came in a blur of red and white. Guðmundsson, lurking just inside the six-yard box, reacted quicker than anyone.

He took a step forward and met the ball with the inside of his foot, striking it low through a crowd of bodies.

[Jóhann Guðmundsson—oh, it’s in!!!]

The net rippled, and for a second, the AFAS Stadion was deafening.

GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLL!!!~

[Eight-nil! Jóhann Guðmundsson gets his goal in the 49th minute! And listen to this crowd!] Mike yelled over the noise.

The AZ Alkmaar players swarmed him, patting his head and ruffling his hair as he pumped his fists toward the roaring fans.

[You have to feel for SC Veendam at this point,] his co-commentator sighed. [But what a moment for Jóhann Guðmundsson. He’s been excellent since the first half, and now he’s got his reward]

Gudmundsson turned toward the fans, arms outstretched as he soaked in the moment. The goal might not have been the most spectacular of the night, but for him, it was everything.

[Look at him, Mike,] his partner said with a chuckle. [You can tell how much that means to him]

Mike nodded. [Absolutely. His first goal in front of the home crowd, and you can bet it won’t be his last]

As the AZ Alkmaar players made their way back for the restart, the scoreboard flashed 8-0, a brutal reminder of the dominance on display.

[Well, Mike,] his co-commentator said with a smirk. [You asked how long SC Veendam could hold out. There’s your answer]

Mike laughed. [Yeah, and I don’t think AZ Alkmaar are done just yet]

Fweeeee!~

The match restarted with SC Veendam kicking off once again, their body language showing just how demoralized and utterly spent they were.

Heads down, shoulders slumped—it was clear they just wanted the game to end. But AZ Alkmaar had no intention of slowing down.

[They’re not letting up, are they?] Mike chuckled as Johannsson immediately pressed forward, forcing an errant pass from Maynard.

[No chance,] his co-commentator replied. [They smell blood, and they want more]

Overtoom quickly collected the loose ball and sprayed a diagonal pass toward Beerens on the right flank.

The right winger wasted no time, taking a sharp touch past his marker before darting down the wing. The crowd roared in anticipation.

[Beerens is away again! SC Veendam just can’t deal with him!]

He surged forward, cutting inside onto his left foot as he approached the 18-yard box. Overtoom made a run into the space ahead, dragging a defender with him. That was all the invitation Beerens needed.

[He’s going for it—]

Beerens unleashed a venomous strike from the edge of the area. The ball swerved through the air, heading straight for the top corner.

Fwooosh!~

Nienhuis leaped, stretching as far as he could.

THUD!

The ball smashed against the crossbar, bouncing high into the air before dropping near the penalty spot.

[Off the bar again! AZ Alkmaar are relentless!]

Before the SC Veendam defenders could react, Adam Maher was already on the move. He tracked the bounce and met it with a thunderous half-volley.

[Adam!]

Nienhuis, still recovering from his dive, could only watch in despair.

BOOM!

The shot rocketed toward goal, but just as the stadium held its breath—

A last-ditch block from Korthuis deflected it wide for a corner.

[Oh my word, what a block!] Mike exclaimed. [That was heading straight in!]

[That’s pure instinct from Korthuis,] his co-commentator said. [He just threw himself at it. That’s the kind of desperation SC Veendam need to show]

Adam is ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head with a grin. He knew that was close.

The AZ Alkmaar fans were on their feet, clapping in appreciation. They could feel it—another goal was coming.

[Corner kick to AZ Alkmaar,] Mike continued. [And at this point, it’s not a matter of if they score again, but when]

Overtoom trotted over to take it. The usual routine followed—players jostling for position, Nienhuis barking instructions, the referee keeping a close eye.

Fweeee!

Overtoom delivered a looping cross toward the far post.

Wijnaldum, rising highest, nodded the ball back across the face of goal.

Chaos ensued.

Bodies clashed, legs swung wildly, the ball pinballed inside the six-yard box before falling to Johannsson.

[Johannsson!]

He reacted instinctively, stabbing the ball toward goal.

THWACK!

Nienhuis managed to parry it, but the rebound spilled straight into the path of the defensive Midfielder, Haye, just outside the 18 yard box.

[Thom Haye! Surely—]

With a quick touch to set himself, Haye smashed it home from range.

GOOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!~

[It’s nine! Nine-nil! Thom Haye gets his first goal in AZ Alkmaar shirt!]

The stadium erupted once more. Haye turned with his arms spread wide, and a beaming smile on his face as his teammates swarmed him.

[You just knew it was coming,] Mike said with a laugh. [SC Veendam did everything they could, but AZ Alkmaar were just too quick, too sharp, too relentless. They’ve struck twice in quick succession]

His co-commentator sighed. [And the worst part? There’s still over 30 minutes to play and predators lurking in the bench.]

The scoreboard flashed 9-0, the writing on the wall for SC Veendam.

[At this rate,] Mike added, [they might just hit double digits. And mind you, AZ Alkmaar has just equalled the most goals scored in a KNVB Beker match. The previous record was held during the 1944 final in Eindhoven, when Willem II Tilburg defeated Groene Ster 9-2]

Before the game could restart, movement on the AZ Alkmaar touchline drew attention.

[And there it is!] Mike’s excitement grew. [Some fresh legs are on!]

The home fans roared in approval as the young winger, Benjamin Rijkaard, removed his warm-up top, stepping toward the fourth official.