Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 204: Penalty And Halftime

Chapter 204: Penalty And Halftime

But before he could, Najah poked the ball away and took off on the counter.

[RKC Waalwijk breaking now—this could be dangerous!]

Najah sprinted forward, with Boukhari and Lieder flanking him. AZ Alkmaar scrambled to get back, but the sudden transition left them exposed.

[Look at this counterattack! It’s three against two!]

Najah surged forward, pushing deeper into AZ Alkmaar territory. Reijnen tracked him, waiting for the right moment—

And then, right at the edge of the 18-yard box, he lunged in. His foot failed to get the ball and instead, his trailing foot caught Najah just behind the ankle.

[Oh, that’s reckless!]

Najah went down in a heap instantly. The whistle blew instantly.

Fweeeee!!!

[PENALTY!] Mike shouted. [The referee points straight to the spot! RKC Waalwijk have a chance to cut the gap to one goal in the last minute of added time!]

The AZ Alkmaar players swarmed the referee, furious at the decision. Reijnen threw his arms up, shaking his head in disbelief.

[They’re protesting, but that was a clumsy challenge,] the co-commentator said. [Najah got there first, and Reijnen went straight through him]

The referee wasn’t having it. He stood firm, brushing off the protests before reaching into his pocket and brandishing a yellow card for Reijnen.

[That’s the right call,] Mike said. [Reijnen’s lucky it’s not worse]

The RKC Waalwijk fans erupted, sensing the opportunity. Lieder stepped up, placing the ball on the spot as Esteban Alvarado took deep breaths on the goal line.

[This is massive,] the co-commentator muttered. [A chance to go into halftime with a one goal deficit. 1-3 It is in the Mandemakers Stadion, will Lieder convert this spot kick to pull one back for RKC Waalwijk?]

The tension inside the stadium was unbearable. Lieder took a step back, his eyes locked on the ball—

[Can he hold his nerve?]

He took a deep breath and began his run-up—

Lieder approached the ball with measured steps, his body tense with focus. Alvarado, standing tall on the goal line, bounced lightly on his toes, arms wide, trying to make himself as big as possible.

[Here he comes—] Mike’s voice was tight with anticipation.

Lieder struck the ball low and hard, aiming for the bottom left corner.

Alvarado read it and he dived.

His fingertips grazed the ball and the stadium held its breath.

CLANG!!!

The ball clipped the inside of the post and rolled over the line.

[HE’S SCORED!] the co-commentator erupted. [Just barely, but it’s in! RKC Waalwijk pull one back!]

Lieder didn’t celebrate immediately. He turned, eyes wide, half-expecting the referee to intervene and call it off. But there was no whistle. No raised flag from the linesman. Just the roar of the home fans finally letting loose.

GOOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!~

The forward exhaled sharply before pumping his fists, his teammates rushing toward him.

[It wasn’t the cleanest penalty,] Mike admitted. [Alvarado got a touch, but sometimes, you just need that bit of luck]

[And RKC Waalwijk will take it,] his co-commentator added. [They needed this before halftime!]

On the other end, Alvarado slapped the ground in frustration before pushing himself up. He shook his head, knowing he had been inches from keeping it out. Reijnen gave him an apologetic pat on the back, but the goalkeeper just waved him off.

[Game on, Mike,] the co-commentator said. [3-2 going into halftime. This is far from over]

The referee glanced at his watch as the players jogged back into position. The momentum had shifted once again.

The whistle blew moments later.

Fweeee!~ Fweeeee!~

[Halftime in Mandemakers Stadion,] Mike announced. [It’s been a thrilling first 45 minutes—AZ Alkmaar dominated for large spells, but RKC Waalwijk refused to go away. This second half is going to be intense]

[Absolutely,] his co-commentator agreed. [Both teams have something to fight for. AZ Alkmaar want to put this game to bed, while RKC Waalwijk have hope now. It’s all to play for]

The players trudged toward the tunnel, some chatting, others locked in their own thoughts.

Lieder walked off with a quiet expression, while Benjamin and Altidore exchanged a quick nod, already thinking about what was to come.

Halftime in Waalwijk...

As the players disappeared down the tunnel, the broadcast cut to the live table.

[Let’s take a look at how that late goal shifts things,] Mike said, as the updated standings flashed on the big screens.

Live Eredivisie Table – Matchday 7 (Halftime at Mandemakers Stadion):

1. Ajax – 19 pts

2. AZ Alkmaar – 16 pts

3. Twente – 13 pts

4. Utrecht – 13 pts

5. PSV – 13 pts

6. Den Haag – 11 pts

7. Groningen – 11 pts

8. Feyenoord – 10 pts

9. Vitesse – 10 pts

10. Heracles – 8 pts

11. Heerenveen – 8 pts

12. RKC Waalwijk – 7 pts

13. Nijmegen – 4 pts

14. Willem II – 4 pts

15. VV-Venlo – 2 pts

16. Zwolle – 2 pts

17. Roda JC – 1 pt

18. Breda – 0 pts

***

[That goal before halftime puts RKC Waalwijk up to 12th,] Mike pointed out. [It’s still early in the season, but every point counts]

[And if they find an equalizer?] his co-commentator mused. [They’d jump to 10th, ahead of Heracles with goals difference. That’s how tight the mid-table is]

Mike nodded. [On the other hand, if AZ Alkmaar hold on or extend their lead, they stay second with 16 points, but that goal means their goal difference is now +16 instead of +18. That could be crucial down the road]

[And if they slip up completely and drop points?] the co-commentator added. [They’d stay second but allow Twente, Utrecht, and PSV to close the gap. They don’t want that]

The halftime analysis continued as replays of the first half played in the background. The studio panel would take over soon, but for now, the commentators reflected on the biggest moments.

[It’s been a fantastic game so far,] Mike said. [The second half promises even more drama. Can AZ Alkmaar hold on, or will RKC Waalwijk complete the comeback?]

[We’ll find out soon enough,] his co-commentator replied. [Stay with us—kickoff for the second half is coming up next]