Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 223: Against The Odds

Chapter 223: Against The Odds

[Smart play by Benjamin Rijkaard, Marco! He saw the extra man and knew the shot had to come from Martens!]

Martens took a touch to set up the ball and then unleashed a venomous strike, sending the ball hurtling toward the top corner.

Brkić, though, was a wall once again. He leaped, stretching every inch of his body, and managed to palm the ball over the bar with a fantastic save.

[Brkić! What a save! He’s playing the game of his life right now!]

[David, he’s been invincible tonight! AZ Alkmaar are testing him every chance they get, but he keeps coming up with answers!]

The crowd erupted, and Henriksen jogged over to take yet another corner. The pressure was mounting on Udinese, but they were determined to hold firm.

Henriksen’s cross came in high, curling towards the far post. Reijnen met it with his head, sending the ball back into the danger zone, but once again, Brkić was there, a steady hand guiding it to safety.

[And Brkić catches it once more! He’s got to be exhausted by now, Marco. This is relentless!]

[Absolutely, David. But you can see it—he’s determined. Udinese’s defensive line is holding, but their keeper is the one keeping them in this game]

The clock continued to tick down towards the 58th minute, and it felt like every minute was a battle.

AZ Alkmaar were pushing, pressing, fighting for an opening despite being a man down, but the Udinese defense was holding strong.

[It’s like a war of attrition, Marco. AZ Alkmaar can’t break them down, and Udinese can’t land that second punch they desperately need]

[Exactly, David. But if AZ Alkmaar keep up this pressure, they’ll eventually force a mistake. Udinese have to be careful—they can’t afford to sit back for too long]

The ball found its way back to Alvarado, who launched another long pass forward. It found Henriksen, who held it up well, waiting for support. Benjamin was on the move again, his speed a constant threat.

[And there he goes again, David! Benjamin Rijkaard’s run is unrelenting]

Benjamin took on Domizzi, skirting past him with a feint, and found himself one-on-one with the keeper once more. He cut inside, positioning himself for a strike.

But this time, his shot was slightly off balance. He pushed it just wide of the post.

[Oh, so close! Benjamin almost had it! That was the moment he needed, Marco!]

[It’s so frustrating for AZ Alkmaar, David. They’ve had so many chances, but Brkić and the defense are just too good right now.]

The game was turning into a test of nerves, and both teams knew it. Each side was playing like this was their last chance. Every tackle, every clearance, every save felt more crucial than the last.

[Marco, this game is teetering on the edge. The next mistake, the next brilliant moment—it could swing everything]

[One moment of brilliance or one lapse in concentration, David. It’s all on a knife edge]

With the score still 1-0 in Udinese’s favor, every attack from AZ Alkmaar felt like it could be the one that changes the match.

The next goal—whether it be a breakthrough for ten men AZ Alkmaar or a finishing blow from Udinese—would decide this battle.

The ball rolled out for a throw-in near the halfway line. Udinese took their time, slowing down the pace, but AZ Alkmaar weren’t having it.

Henriksen gestured for his teammates to push up, pressing high as Udinese restarted play.

[David, Udinese are trying to take the sting out of this game, but AZ Alkmaar won’t let them breathe!]

[Exactly, Marco. They might be a man down, but they’re playing like they’ve got an extra body out there!]

Basta received the throw and immediately found Pereyra in midfield. The Argentine turned, looking for an outlet, but Martens was on him in a flash, pressing hard. Pereyra had no choice but to play it back to Danilo.

The Udinese captain took a touch and looked long. Muriel was making a darting run, trying to get in behind, but Viergever read it well, stepping forward to intercept.

[That’s excellent positioning from Viergever, Marco. He saw that pass coming before it was even played!]

[He’s been rock solid tonight, David. Without him and Reijnen, this game could be over already!]

Viergever calmly played it out to Victor Elm, who immediately sent it forward to Benjamin.

The winger took a sharp touch past Allan and accelerated down the left once again.

[Here comes Benjamin Rijkaard! Udinese must be sick of the sight of him!]

Domizzi stepped up, trying to close him down early, but Benjamin spotted it. He flicked the ball past him with the outside of his foot and spun around the other way, collecting it in full stride.

[Oh, that’s brilliant! Domizzi was left in the dust!]

The crowd roared as Benjamin surged forward. Altidore peeled off his defender, waiting for the cutback.

Benjamin looked up, weighed his options, then drilled a low cross into the six-yard box.

Altidore lunged—but Danilo stuck a foot out at the last second, deflecting it away!

[Crucial touch from Danilo! That was heading straight for Altidore!]

The ball rolled toward the edge of the 18 yard box, where Martens was waiting. He let it run across his body before firing a first-time shot—but it slammed into the crowded defense and bounced away!

[Blocked! Udinese are throwing bodies in front of everything!]

Reijnen retrieved the loose ball and swung in another cross. This time, Henriksen met it with a glancing header—but it flashed just wide of the far post!

[So close! Henriksen did everything right there!]

[David, AZ Alkmaar are relentless! They’re knocking on the door, but it just won’t open!]

Brkić took his time with the goal kick, urging his teammates to stay composed. Udinese were holding onto their lead by the thinnest of margins.

The game had entered the 62nd minute, and the intensity wasn’t letting up. AZ Alkmaar smelled blood, and they weren’t backing down.

[Marco, how much longer can Udinese hold out?]

[At this rate, David, it’s only a matter of time. AZ Alkmaar are playing with pure heart!]