Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 179: Freekick

Chapter 179: Freekick

Berghuis reacted instantly, darting forward to reclaim possession.

[AZ Alkmaar aren’t letting up,] Mike said. [They want this tenth goal!]

Berghuis wasted no time, skipping past his marker before driving a low cross toward the near post.

Benjamin read it early, darting in front of his man. He stretched out a boot, flicking the ball toward the goal in one swift motion.

[Benjamin again!]

The net rippled—

—but only from the wrong side.

[Side netting!] Mike groaned. [That was close!]

Benjamin let out a frustrated sigh, hands briefly resting on his head before shaking it off. The crowd responded with applause, recognizing his effort.

[He’s getting into all the right positions,] the co-commentator said. [You feel like it’s only a matter of time before one goes in for him]

Nienhuis took his time retrieving the ball, taking deep breaths as he prepared for the goal kick. The SC Veendam players, exhausted and stretched thin, tried to reorganize.

[You can sense the frustration from the AZ Alkmaar players,] Mike observed. [They’ve created so many chances, but that final piece just isn’t clicking yet]

[Yet,] his co-commentator emphasized with a grin. [Because at this rate, it’s not a question of if they score again—it’s when]

Benjamin clapped his hands, signaling his teammates to keep pushing. His cup debut was just getting started and far from over, and neither was this game.

The match restarted with Nienhuis launching the goal kick deep into AZ Alkmaar’s half.

SC Veendam, despite their struggles, still tried to push forward, hoping for a break. But the home side, relentless and hungry for more, quickly regained control.

[AZ Alkmaar aren’t slowing down,] Mike said, watching as the red-and-white shirts swarmed forward again. [They want another, and they want it now]

Haye, patrolling the midfield, intercepted a loose pass and immediately shifted the ball toward Overtoom.

[Look at the urgency from AZ Alkmaar,] his co-commentator added. [They’re pressing high, winning the second balls—it’s like they’re the ones chasing the game]

Overtoom, with a quick turn, spotted Benjamin making a darting run along the left wing. Without hesitation, he lofted a precise diagonal pass into space.

[And here goes Benjamin again,] Mike’s voice climbed. [That’s a beautiful ball! Can he make something happen this time?]

Benjamin’s first touch was perfect, cushioning the ball into his stride as he raced past the full-back. The crowd’s anticipation grew louder.

He drove into the 18 yard box, eyes scanning the options. Berghuis had peeled away toward the back post, while Fernando Lewis made a run to the near post.

[SC Veendam are stretched here,] the co-commentator observed. [Benjamin’s got choices!]

He faked a cross, sending the defender lunging the wrong way, before cutting inside onto his right foot. With a split-second decision, he unleashed a curling effort toward the far post.

[He’s going for it again—!]

Fwooosh!~

The shot arced beautifully, curving toward the top corner. Nienhuis, once more, was at full stretch.

THWACK!

The ball smacked off the post, the sound echoing through the stadium like a warning shot.

[Would you believe it?!] Mike exclaimed. [He’s rattled the woodwork again!]

The rebound bounced straight into the path of Fernando Lewis, who reacted instantly, swinging a boot at it.

[And now Lewis!]

A desperate SC Veendam defender threw himself in the way, blocking the shot at the last second. The ball ricocheted high into the air before being scrambled away.

[It just won’t go in for them!] the co-commentator said with disbelief. [That’s three times AZ Alkmaar have been denied by the frame of the goal]

Benjamin stood there for a moment, hands on his hips, exhaling sharply. It had been inches away—again.

[You can see the frustration on his face,] Mike noted. [But he’s been electric since coming on]

Gertjan Verbeek, on the touchline, clapped his hands and shouted encouragement. He knew it was coming. The fans knew it too.

[You keep knocking,] the co-commentator said. [Eventually, the door’s got to open]

Benjamin wiped the sweat from his brow, refocused, and jogged back into position.

AZ Alkmaar continued to push forward, their relentless pressure keeping SC Veendam pinned deep in their own half.

Benjamin, now operating with full confidence, demanded the ball more, his movements sharp and filled with intent.

[Benjamin’s really grown into this game,] Mike observed. [You can see how comfortable he is, dictating the play from midfield]

It started with Adam, who received a quick pass from Haye before turning and immediately threading the ball into the feet of Overtoom.

The Dutchman, under pressure, controlled it with a single touch before flicking a pass into Benjamin’s path.

[Lovely link-up play!] the co-commentator chimed in. [AZ Alkmaar moving the ball with real intent here]

Benjamin surged forward, skipping past one challenge before shifting the ball onto his right foot.

The SC Veendam defense backpedaled, wary of his ability to shoot from distance.

[He’s got space—will he take it on?] Mike questioned, his voice rising.

Just as Benjamin shaped to strike, Jeroen Ketting lunged in from the side, his trailing leg catching Benjamin just above the left side of the 18-yard box.

The contact sent Benjamin tumbling onto the grass.

Fweeeee!

The referee wasted no time, immediately pointing to the spot of the foul as the AZ Alkmaar players raised their arms in protest.

Benjamin, grimacing slightly, pushed himself up onto his elbows.

[That’s a clear foul,] Mike declared. [Ketting got nowhere near the ball there]

[Yeah, and look at that—yellow card’s out,] the co-commentator added as the referee reached into his pocket. [Ketting knew what he was doing, Mike. He was never getting that ball]

Ketting shook his head as the referee flashed the yellow card, his protests half-hearted. He knew he’d mistimed his challenge.

Benjamin, now sitting up, ran a hand through his hair before accepting Adam’s outstretched arm to pull himself to his feet.

[This is a dangerous position for a free kick,] Mike noted. [Just outside the 18 yard box, left side—perfect for a right-footer to curl it in]

[And guess who’s standing over it?] the co-commentator said knowingly as the camera zoomed in on Benjamin, who adjusted his socks before stepping back.

The SC Veendam players formed a wall, Nienhuis barking instructions as he crouched low, eyes locked on the ball.

The stadium hummed with anticipation.

[Could this be the moment for Benjamin?] Mike asked. [He’s come so close already tonight—does he finally get his reward here?]