Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 235: One-up

Chapter 235: One-up

AZ Alkmaar looked to reassert control. Henriksen and Martens exchanged quick passes in midfield before Benjamin peeled away from Fer, creating a pocket of space. Martens spotted the movement and played a crisp pass into his feet.

[Smart play from Benjamin,] Erik noted. [He’s finding those little spaces between the lines]

Benjamin turned swiftly, driving forward. He danced past Landzaat with a feint, then accelerated toward the 18 yard box. Twente’s defenders backed off slightly, wary of his quick feet.

[He’s got options here,] Ronald said. [Will he go himself or find a pass?]

Benjamin shaped to shoot but instead slipped a disguised ball through to Berghuis, who had timed his run perfectly.

The winger took a touch, steadied himself, and unleashed a curling effort toward the far post—

The ball arced beautifully but clipped the outside of the post and went wide. The crowd gasped.

[Ohhh, that was close!] Erik groaned. [Berghuis nearly with a moment of brilliance!]

Boschker hurried to restart play, sensing a chance to catch AZ Alkmaar off guard. Twente surged forward again, Chadli and Tadić combining on the left, looking to stretch the defense.

[Twente aren’t backing down,] Ronald observed. [Both teams are playing with real intent here!]

As the game continued, the tempo remained relentless. Possession shifted quickly, tackles flew in, and neither side was willing to give an inch. The intensity of the contest was evident in every duel.

[This is turning into a battle,] Erik said with a grin. [Exactly what you want from a top Eredivisie clash!]

The game continued at a blistering pace with neither side willing to back down.

Twente pushed forward again, with Chadli receiving the ball on the left flank. He feinted one way before cutting inside, shaking off Marcellis with a sharp turn.

[Chadli causing problems again,] Erik noted. [He’s got a great ability to glide past defenders]

Chadli spotted Tadić making a run into the 18 yard box and sent a teasing cross toward the far post. Castaignos rose above Viergever, meeting the ball with a powerful header.

[Castaignos! This could be it—!] Ronald shouted.

But Alvarado was there again, diving to his left to punch the ball away. The crowd roared in appreciation as Reijnen cleared the loose ball upfield.

[Alvarado keeping AZ Alkmaar in this,] Erik said. [That was a strong header from Castaignos, but the keeper was equal to it]

AZ Alkmaar quickly transitioned into attack. Henriksen controlled the clearance, nodding it down to Martens, who wasted no time switching play to the right. Berghuis latched onto the pass, sprinting down the wing with Rosales chasing.

[Here come AZ Alkmaar again,] Ronald said, his voice rising.

Berghuis slowed for a moment, then suddenly burst forward, leaving Rosales a step behind. He cut inside, spotted Benjamin ghosting into space near the edge of the 18 yard box, and rolled the ball into his path.

Benjamin took one touch to steady himself, then whipped a curling shot toward the far post.

[Benjamin goes for goal—!] Erik started.

Boschker dived, stretching to his full length. The ball was dipping, heading for the top corner, but at the last second, it clipped the crossbar and went out of play.

[Oh my word! So close!] Ronald groaned. [Benjamin inches away from a stunning goal!]

The young winger ran a hand through his hair, exhaling as the crowd applauded the effort. His teammates clapped in encouragement, knowing it was only a matter of time before one of these chances found the net.

[Boschker was beaten there,] Erik added. [If that was an inch lower, we’d be talking about one of the best goals of the season]

Twente looked to settle things down, passing the ball patiently around the back. Wisgerhof played a simple pass to Bjelland, who scanned his options before sending a long ball forward.

Castaignos battled with Viergever again, but this time the AZ Alkmaar defender got the better of him, heading it clear. The ball fell to Martens, who instantly fed it to Henriksen.

[AZ Alkmaar are moving the ball quickly now,] Ronald observed. [They’re trying to stretch Twente’s shape]

Henriksen spotted Altidore making a diagonal run and threaded a perfectly weighted pass into his path. The American striker took it in stride, muscling past Bjelland before cutting inside.

[Altidore’s in a great position!]

He steadied himself, then unleashed a powerful strike toward the bottom corner.

Boschker dived low, his fingertips stretching but he couldn’t reach it.

The net rippled.

[GOOOOAAALLL!!!] Erik roared. [Jozy Altidore breaks the deadlock for AZ Alkmaar!]

The AFAS Stadion erupted as Altidore wheeled away in celebration with his fists clenched. His teammates rushed over, surrounding him in a frenzy of cheers.

[Brilliant finish!] Ronald added. [He held off his defender, kept his composure, and buried it in the bottom corner!]

The scoreboard flickered: AZ Alkmaar 1-0 FC Twente.

Twente players looked frustrated, knowing they had been just as dangerous in attack. But AZ Alkmaar had struck first.

[That’s what happens when you take your chances,] Erik said. [Twente have had their moments, but AZ Alkmaar have made theirs count]

Fweeeee!~

As the celebrations died down, the referee blew his whistle and Twente hurried to restart the game. There was still a long way to go, and they weren’t about to give up without a fight.

Twente wasted no time responding. Brama received the restart and quickly shifted the ball to Landzaat, who looked up and spotted Chadli making a run down the left. A swift pass later, and Chadli was off, pushing forward with intent.

[Twente aren’t sitting back,] Erik noted. [They know they have to respond quickly]

Marcellis stepped up to close him down, but Chadli feinted, cutting inside before slipping a pass toward Tadić near the edge of the 18 yard box. The Serbian playmaker controlled it with one touch, then swiveled to shoot—

[Tadić! That’s a chance—!] Ronald’s voice rose.

But Viergever lunged in with a crucial block, sending the ball spinning out for a corner.

[Fantastic defending from Viergever,] Erik praised. [Tadić had a glimpse of goal there, but the AZ Alkmaar defender threw himself at it.]

The corner was taken quickly. Tadić swung in a dangerous cross, and Bjelland outmuscled Henriksen to meet it with a glancing header.

[Bjelland rises—]