Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 209: League Table And Stats

Chapter 209: League Table And Stats

The screen shifted to his second goal—the solo run that had left defenders trailing in his wake.

[This right here is what gets fans off their seats,] Mike said, his voice rising. [Watch how he carries the ball with such confidence, skipping past challenges like they aren’t even there. The close control, the awareness—then the finish with the outside of the boot. That’s special]

[And let’s not forget his assist,] the co-commentator added. [Could’ve gone for the shot himself, but he had the composure to pick out Jozy Altidore. That’s high football IQ]

The stats popped up on the screen next to Benjamin’s name:

***

Matches Played: 9

Eredivisie: 6

Europa League: 2

Cup: 1

Matches Started: 8

Eredivisie: 5

Europa League: 2

Cup: 1

Substitute Apps: 1

Goals: 17

Eredivisie: 11

Europa League: 2

Cup: 4

Assists: 11

Eredivisie: 10

Europa League: 1

Cup: 0

***

[These numbers are outrageous,] Mike said, shaking his head. [Seventeen goals and eleven assists in just nine games? For a seventeen-year-old? That’s unheard of]

[And it’s not just stat-padding either,] the co-commentator added. [Every goal, every assist—he’s making a real impact. He’s carrying AZ Alkmaar forward this season]

[You have to wonder,] Mike mused. [How long before the big clubs start knocking on AZ Alkmaar’s door?]

[If they aren’t already, they will be soon,] the co-commentator replied. [Because Benjamin Rijkaard isn’t just a rising star anymore—he’s a star right now]

The camera panned back to the pitch, where Benjamin was hugging his teammates, a grin plastered on his face.

Tonight, he had stolen the show.

The post-match analysis continued as the broadcast team shifted their attention to the broader league picture.

The screen displayed the current top scorers after seven Eredivisie matches, with names scrolling across in bold letters.

Top 10 Goalscorers:

1. Wilfried Bony (Vitesse) – 12 goals

2. Graziano Pellè (Feyenoord) – 12 goals

3. Michael Higdon (NAC Breda) – 11 goals

4. Alfred Finnbogason (Heerenveen) – 11 goals

5. Benjamin Rijkaard (AZ Alkmaar) – 11 goals

6. Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar) – 10 goals

7. Mark Uth (Heracles Almelo) – 10 goals

8. Dusan Tadic (Twente) – 10 goals

9. Jens Toornstra (Utrecht) – 9 goals

10. Lex Immers (Feyenoord) – 9 goals

***

[Look at that list,] Mike said, nodding. [Wilfried Bony and Graziano Pellè leading the way with twelve goals, no surprise there. But right behind them—Benjamin Rijkaard, tied with Finnbogason and Higdon on eleven. That’s insane]

[It really is,] the co-commentator agreed. [Bony is a seasoned striker. Pellè is a powerhouse. Finnbogason and Higdon are experienced goal-scorers. And then you have Benjamin Rijkaard, a 17-year-old winger, keeping pace with them. That’s not normal]

[And let’s not forget Jozy Altidore right behind him with ten,] Mike added. [AZ Alkmaar have two players in the top six—this attack is on fire right now]

[But here’s where it gets even crazier,] the co-commentator said as the screen switched to another leaderboard. Top 10 Assisters flashed across in bold.

***

1. Benjamin Rijkaard (AZ Alkmaar) – 10 assists

2. Dries Mertens (Ajax) – 6 assists

3. Viktor Fischer (Ajax) – 5 assists

4. Christian Eriksen (Ajax) – 5 assists

5. Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord) – 5 assists

6. Lasse Schöne (NEC Nijmegen) – 4 assists

7. Jordi Cruyff (Twente) – 4 assists

8. Hakim Ziyech (Heerenveen) – 4 assists

9. Memphis Depay (PSV Eindhoven) – 4 assists

10. Markus Henriksen (AZ Alkmaar) – 4 assists

***

[Ten assists already?] Mike whistled. [Benjamin Rijkaard isn’t just scoring—he’s setting up teammates left and right]

[And look at the gap,] the co-commentator pointed out. [Dries Mertens is second with six, then you have Fischer, Eriksen, and Clasie with five. No one else is even close to him right now]

[It’s unheard of for someone this young,] Mike continued. [If you compare him to the other young talents in the league—Memphis Depay, Viktor Fischer, Jordy Clasie—he’s outperforming all of them statistically]

[That’s the thing,] the co-commentator said. [Guys like Depay and Fischer are massive prospects, no doubt. But Benjamin Rijkaard? He’s already delivering numbers like an established star. If he keeps this up, we might be looking at one of the most exciting young talents in Europe]

[And this is only seven league games in,] Mike added. [Who knows where his numbers will be by the end of the season?]

The camera panned back to the pitch, where Benjamin was still on the field, exchanging handshakes with fans and giving a young fan his match worn jersey near the tunnel.

His name echoed in chants from the AZ Alkmaar supporters, a clear sign that he had already become their new hero.

The post-match discussion carried on as the commentators turned their attention to the league table.

[Let’s take a look at how tonight’s results have shaken up the standings,] Mike said as the updated Eredivisie table flashed on the screen.

***

Eredivisie Standings (After Matchday 7):

1. Ajax – 19 pts (7W, 1D, 0L) GD: +14

2. AZ Alkmaar – 16 pts (5W, 1D, 1L) GD: +19

3. Twente – 13 pts (4W, 1D, 2L) GD: +7

4. Utrecht – 13 pts (4W, 1D, 2L) GD: +3

5. PSV – 13 pts (4W, 1D, 2L) GD: +11

6. Den Haag – 11 pts (3W, 2D, 2L) GD: +3

7. Feyenoord – 10 pts (3W, 1D, 3L) GD: +5

8. Vitesse – 10 pts (3W, 1D, 3L) GD: +5

9. Groningen – 11 pts (3W, 2D, 2L) GD: 0

10. Heracles – 8 pts (2W, 2D, 3L) GD: -2

11. Heerenveen – 8 pts (2W, 2D, 3L) GD: -8

12. Waalwijk – 7 pts (1W, 4D, 3L) GD: -9

13. NEC Nijmegen – 4 pts (0W, 4D, 3L) GD: -9

14. Willem II – 4 pts (1W, 1D, 5L) GD: -10

15. VV-Venlo – 2 pts (0W, 2D, 5L) GD: -11

16. Zwolle – 2 pts (0W, 2D, 5L) GD: -9

17. Roda JC – 1 pt (0W, 1D, 6L) GD: -6

18. NAC Breda – 0 pts (0W, 0D, 7L) GD: -14

***

[AZ Alkmaar holding firm in second place,] Mike noted. [But Ajax are still unbeaten and three points clear at the top. It’s looking like a real title race is brewing]

[It is,] the co-commentator agreed. [But look at that goal difference for Alkmaar—+19, the highest in the league. They’re blowing teams away offensively]

[And you can thank Benjamin Rijkaard for that,] Mike added. [Eleven goals, ten assists—he’s been the heartbeat of this team]