Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 199: Two-up

Chapter 199: Two-up

Altidore didn’t break stride. He took a steadying touch just inside the 18 yard box, his eyes locking onto the target. Waterman rushed out, arms wide, trying to make himself as big as possible.

[It’s Jozy Altidore versus Jan Willem van den Kieboom! Can he finish it?]

The striker struck the ball low and hard toward the bottom corner.

For a moment, everything seemed to slow down.

van den Kieboom reacted instantly, diving to his left with full extension. His fingertips grazed the ball, but not enough. The shot zipped past him, kissing the inside of the post before nestling into the back of the net.

[GOOOAAAALLLL!!!] Mike roared. [JOZY ALTIDORE DOUBLES THE LEAD!]

The AZ Alkmaar fans erupted, their cheers shaking the stadium. Altidore wheeled away in celebration, pounding his chest as his teammates swarmed him.

[That was clinical! Absolutely clinical!] the co-commentator said, shaking his head in admiration. [One pass, one touch, and a finish right into the bottom corner. That’s how you punish a team on the counter!]

The replay played on the big screen, showing the beauty of the move—the precision of Berghuis’s pass, Altidore’s perfectly timed run, and the ruthless finish.

[Textbook counterattack,] Mike said. [AZ Alkmaar soaked up the pressure, and within seconds, they’ve struck at the other end!]

The scoreboard shifted again.

RKC Waalwijk 0-2 AZ Alkmaar

The RKC Waalwijk players looked deflated as they trudged back to their positions. The home fans, who had just been urging their team forward, now sat in stunned silence.

[That’s a real gut punch for RKC Waalwijk,] the co-commentator observed. [They were inches away from equalizing, and now they find themselves two goals down]

[Football can be cruel,] Mike agreed. [And AZ Alkmaar have been ruthless. They’ve taken their chances when it’s mattered most]

Fweeeee!~

As the game restarted, the energy in the stadium had shifted. AZ Alkmaar, with a comfortable lead in the 20th minute, looked in complete control. RKC Waalwijk, on the other hand, had an uphill battle ahead.

[The question now is, can RKC Waalwijk find a way back into this?] Mike asked. [Or is this game slipping away from them?]

[They need something special now,] his partner replied. [Because right now, AZ Alkmaar are looking unstoppable]

RKC Waalwijk restarted the game with urgency, their midfielders pushing higher, determined to claw their way back into the match.

The home crowd, though momentarily silenced, began to rally behind their team once more, urging them forward.

[They need a response, and they need it fast,] Mike said, watching as RKC Waalwijk zipped the ball around in AZ Alkmaar’s half. [They can’t let this game slip away before halftime]

[Absolutely,] his partner agreed. [Two goals down is tough, but not impossible. One goal changes everything]

Robert van Dijk received the ball near the center circle, scanning the field before threading a pass to Imad Najah, who had been lively on the right flank.

The winger controlled it on the run, his pace carrying him past Gorter before cutting inside.

[Imad Najah is on the move! This is promising for RKC Waalwijk!] Mike’s voice picked up, the crowd responding in kind.

He spotted El Makrini making a run toward the near post and whipped in a low cross. The ball fizzed through the 18 yard box, evading everyone before being cleared by Viergever at the last second.

[Brilliant defending again from Viergever!] the co-commentator praised. [He’s been a rock at the back for AZ Alkmaar]

The clearance only went as far as Muhamed Nasir, who wasted no time in setting up a shot. He struck the ball cleanly, sending a powerful drive toward the bottom corner.

[Here comes the shot—Nasir with a go!]

Alvarado reacted instantly, diving low to his left and stretching out a strong hand to push the ball away.

[What a save by Alvarado!] Mike shouted. [That was heading straight for the net!]

[That’s a massive stop,] his partner added. [RKC Waalwijk are pushing hard, but they just can’t find a way past him!]

The rebound fell to Mart Lieder, who took a wild swing, but his effort flew harmlessly over the bar.

Groans echoed through the stadium as he clutched his head in frustration.

[RKC Waalwijk are knocking on the door, but they need to be more clinical,] Mike observed. [Opportunities like that don’t come often against a side like AZ Alkmaar]

Meanwhile, AZ Alkmaar players took their time resetting. Alvarado gestured for his teammates to spread out before launching a long goal kick.

Henriksen rose highest, nodding the ball down into the path of Benjamin, who took off on a surging run down the middle.

[Here comes Benjamin Rijkaard,] the co-commentator said. [AZ Alkmaar looking to hit back on the break again]

Benjamin glided past one challenge, then another, his close control causing problems for RKC Waalwijk’s midfield. Spotting Altidore peeling off his marker, he sent a perfectly weighted ball into space.

[That’s a fantastic pass! Altidore’s in again!]

The striker powered forward, but before he could get his shot away, Dustley Mulder came sliding in with a crucial tackle, knocking the ball out for a corner.

[Dustley Mulder to the rescue!] Mike exclaimed. [That was a make-or-break challenge, and he got it just right!]

[Had he mistimed that, it would’ve been a penalty,] his partner noted. [But credit to him—he kept RKC Waalwijk in this one]

AZ Alkmaar had another chance to increase their lead, and they weren’t wasting any time setting up the corner. The tension in the stadium was thick as Benjamin stepped up to take it.

[They’ve been dangerous from set pieces,] Mike reminded the viewers. [Can they strike again?]

Benjamin delivered a curling ball into the six-yard box, bodies jostling for position. Van den Kieboom leaped up, punching the ball away under pressure, but it only went as far as Henriksen on the edge of the 18 yard box.

Henriksen chested it down and struck a fierce volley.

[Henriksen!]

The shot took a wicked deflection off Evander Sno, spinning toward goal, but van den Kieboom adjusted brilliantly, diving to smother the ball.

[Oh, that was close! Van den Kieboom does well again!] Mike said, shaking his head. [This game is relentless!]

[It’s end-to-end stuff,] his co-commentator agreed. [Both teams are going for it, but AZ Alkmaar still hold all the cards]

As the game continued, RKC Waalwijk knew they needed something special to turn things around. But AZ Alkmaar, disciplined and deadly on the break, looked in full control.

[They need a goal before halftime,] Mike said as the clock edged toward the 30th minute. [But can they find it? Or will AZ Alkmaar strike again?]