Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 205: Team Talks And Second-half Begins

Chapter 205: Team Talks And Second-half Begins

The AZ Alkmaar dressing room was tense. The players filed in, some shaking their heads, others wiping sweat from their brows. The echoes of the late goal still rang in their heads.

Gertjan Verbeek stood in the center of the room with his arms crossed, and eyes sharp. He wasn’t shouting—yet. That was always a bad sign.

Reijnen dropped onto the bench, his jaw clenched. He could feel the eyes on him, but he didn’t need reminding. He knew.

Alvarado sat nearby with a towel over his head. His fingers curled into fists. He had been so close. Inches of saving the penalty.

The only sound for a moment was the players’ heavy breathing. Then, Gertjan Verbeek spoke.

"We let them back in." His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it. "That was unnecessary and completely avoidable."

Nobody argued.

"We played well for 43 minutes." He paced slowly, scanning the room. "Controlled the game. Moved the ball well. Took our chances." He stopped and exhaled. "Then we switched off."

His eyes landed on Reijnen. "You didn’t need to dive in."

Reijnen nodded stiffly, staring at the floor.

"But it’s not just that." Gertjan Verbeek’s gaze moved. "We got sloppy. We let them break too easily. We didn’t track runners. We didn’t communicate." His voice rose slightly. "We gave them hope."

The silence continued. The players knew he was right.

Gertjan Verbeek took a deep breath. "Now, we’re still ahead. But if we come out flat in the second half, we’re in trouble." He turned to Martens, Elm, and Henriksen. "I need you three to dictate the tempo again. Keep the ball moving. Slow it down when we need to. No more rushed passes."

He faced the defenders. "Stay disciplined at the back. No reckless challenges within the 18 yard box. Stay on your feet at all times, and communicate with each other."

Finally, his gaze shifted to the front three—Altidore, Berghuis, and Benjamin. "Kill the game." His voice was firm. "We get one more goal, and it’s over. Don’t sit back. Don’t invite pressure. Attack."

Gertjan Verbeek clapped his hands together. "We’re the better team and I expect you to play like it."

The mood shifted slightly. The players gave etermined nods a took in deep breaths.

As the players stood up to prepare, Gertjan Verbeek’s voice came again, quieter this time.

"Forget the mistake. Focus on the next 45."

Meanwhile, the RKC Waalwijk dressing room was buzzing. Players were catching their breath, but there was an energy now—hope.

Erwin Koeman stood near the tactics board, nodding. His voice was steady, but his eyes burned with belief.

"Much better in the last 15 minutes." He looked around. "We were brave. We pressed higher. We took risks. And look what happened." He gestured toward Lieder, who was still catching his breath. "We got one back."

He turned to Najah and Boukhari. "The counters are working. Keep exploiting the spaces they leave behind."

His tone hardened. "But we need to be sharper. The first 30 minutes? Not good enough. We gave them too much respect. Too much space."

His eyes scanned the room. "That changes now."

Koeman pointed at the tactics board. "AZ Alkmaar’s fullbacks push high. Their midfield likes to control the ball. That’s fine." He smirked. "Because that means space for us."

His gaze shifted. "Lieder, Boukhari—when we win the ball, I want you running in behind immediately."

He turned to the midfield. "Najah, Sno—be aggressive. Don’t let them settle. Disrupt their rhythm."

Koeman took a deep breath. "One goal. That’s all we need." He smiled slightly. "They’re nervous now. We get the next one? This place explodes."

The players nodded, fists clenching.

Koeman’s voice dropped. "We’re in this. Don’t stop now."

***

The players emerged from the tunnel, their faces set with focus. The floodlights burned bright against the evening sky, illuminating the stage for the next 45 minutes.

[Welcome back to Mandemakers Stadion,] Mike said. [The second half is about to begin, and we have a game on our hands now]

[Absolutely,] his co-commentator replied. [AZ Alkmaar looked in full control at 3-1, but that late penalty changed everything. RKC Waalwijk have hope, and they’re coming out with energy]

The referee checked his watch, glanced at both goalkeepers, then raised his whistle to his lips.

Fweeeee!~

[And we’re back underway!] Mike announced.

AZ Alkmaar took immediate control of possession, stroking the ball around with intent. Henriksen received it in midfield, turning swiftly before spreading it out wide to Berghuis.

[AZ Alkmaar looking to settle things early,] the co-commentator noted. [They don’t want to invite any more pressure]

Berghuis drove forward, skipping past a half-hearted challenge before cutting inside. He glanced up, spotted Altidore’s movement, and whipped a cross into the 18 yard box.

Altidore rose high, muscles tensed, eyes locked on the ball—

But Waalwijk’s captain, Dustley Mulder, got just enough of a touch to divert it away.

[Good defending,] Mike commented. [That was an important intervention because Altidore was right there]

RKC Waalwijk didn’t waste any time clearing their lines. Evander Sno controlled the loose ball and immediately looked up. Najah was already sprinting down the right flank.

[And here they go again!] the co-commentator exclaimed.

A quick pass. Najah took it in stride, accelerating past his marker. The crowd roared in anticipation as he surged forward.

[This is exactly what Erwin Koeman wanted,] Mike noted. [Quick transitions, using their pace on the counter]

Najah neared the edge of the 18 yard box, but Gorter came across, sliding in with perfect timing to win back possession. The AZ Alkmaar defender popped up quickly and played it safely back to Alvarado.

[That’s great defending,] the co-commentator praised. [Textbook tackle—no foul, no risk. Just clean, precise defending.]

Alvarado took a deep breath before launching a long ball upfield.

[You can feel the intensity,] Mike said. [Both teams know what’s at stake. This next goal could change everything]

The battle continued, both sides fighting for control as the second half unfolded.