Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 236: Two-up

Chapter 236: Two-up

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

[Bjelland rises—]

The ball flashed toward the far post, but Alvarado reacted superbly, diving with his arms stretched to his right and palming it away. The crowd let out a collective gasp before bursting into applause.

[Alvarado again!] Ronald exclaimed. [He’s having a fantastic game!]

AZ Alkmaar didn’t dwell on the danger. Alvarado quickly rolled the ball out to Gorter, who set off down the left.

He exchanged passes with Martens before spotting Benjamin in space and sending a lofted pass his way.

[Here they come again!] Erik leaned forward. [AZ Alkmaar are looking to strike while Twente are stretched!]

Benjamin controlled it smoothly, glancing up to assess his options. He saw Altidore making another run between the center-backs and sent a perfectly weighted pass through the gap.

Altidore latched onto it, held off Wisgerhof, and fired a low shot toward the near post—

[Boschker with the save!] Ronald shouted. [He gets down well to deny Altidore a second!]

The rebound spilled out into the 18 yard box. Berghuis was the first to react, dashing in and stabbing a shot toward goal—

But Bjelland threw himself in the way, deflecting the ball wide.

[Unbelievable defending!] Erik said. [Twente are living dangerously, but they’re still in this!]

The intensity only grew from there. Twente pushed forward again, Fer driving into midfield and forcing his way past Henriksen. He slid a pass out to Rosales, who immediately sent in an early cross.

[Castaignos is lurking!]

The Twente striker rose above Reijnen, meeting the ball with a powerful header—

Straight at Alvarado. The AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper caught it cleanly, wasting no time in getting play moving again.

[Another warning sign for AZ Alkmaar,] Ronald noted. [Twente won’t stop coming at them]

The game was now end-to-end with neither side willing to slow down. The crowd was fully engaged, roaring with every attack, every challenge, every close call.

[This is what football is all about,] Erik said with a grin. [Two teams giving everything. This is top-quality Eredivisie action!]

As the match approached the 20th minute mark, AZ Alkmaar held their one-goal lead, but Twente were pushing hard, searching for a way back.

The intensity of the match refused to drop despite the game approaching the middle stages of the first half.

Twente pressed forward again, their urgency clear from the way they moved. Fer drove through midfield, shielding the ball from Martens before threading a quick pass to Brama.

[Twente are knocking on the door,] Ronald observed. [They’re playing with more aggression now]

Brama switched play out wide to Chadli, who immediately took on Marcellis. A quick burst of pace, and then a clever cut inside, left the AZ Alkmaar defender scrambling.

[Chadli is dangerous in these positions!] Erik warned.

The Belgian winger squared the ball into the 18 yard box, where Castaignos was lurking. He controlled it with his back to goal while holding off Viergever at the same time, then he spun sharply—

[Big chance here—] Ronald started.

Castaignos struck a fierce low shot toward the near post, but once again, Alvarado was equal to it. The AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper reacted swiftly, getting down to smother the shot.

[Alvarado again!] Erik exclaimed. [How many times is he going to deny Twente this afternoon?]

The home fans roared in appreciation, chanting their goalkeeper’s name as he calmly collected himself before launching the ball upfield.

AZ Alkmaar wasted no time transitioning into attack. Henriksen controlled the clearance in midfield, then sent a quick pass out wide to Benjamin. The young winger took off, his pace forcing Rosales into a backpedal.

[Benjamin on the move down the left wing!] Ronald’s voice picked up. [He’s got space to exploit!]

Benjamin feinted inside before pushing the ball past Rosales on the outside, sprinting past the Twente right-back with ease. The crowd rose in anticipation as he cut into the 18 yard box.

[He’s got options here,] Erik noted. [Will he go for goal or look for the pass?]

Benjamin spotted Altidore making a run toward the penalty spot and whipped in a low cross. The ball zipped past Wisgerhof, straight into the striker’s path—

Altidore met it with a first-time strike—

But Boschker reacted superbly, diving to his left and parrying it away!

[Boschker with a huge save!] Ronald shouted. [Altidore caught that so well, but the veteran keeper keeps Twente in it!]

The ball rebounded toward the top of the 18 yard box, where Martens rushed in. He lined up a shot, driving his foot through the ball—

Only for Fer to throw himself in the way, blocking it at the last second!

[What commitment from Fer!] Erik praised. [Twente are hanging on, but they’re not giving AZ Alkmaar an inch!]

The ball deflected out for a corner, and the home fans roared, sensing another opportunity. Benjamin jogged over to take it, placing the ball carefully before stepping back.

[AZ Alkmaar have been threatening from set pieces tonight,] Ronald pointed out. [Can they capitalize here?]

Benjamin delivered an inswinging cross, curling it toward the six-yard box. Bjelland and Viergever battled in the air, but it was Altidore who rose highest, meeting the ball with a towering header—

The net bulged!

[GOOOOAAALLL!!!] Erik roared. [Jozy Altidore again! He doubles AZ Alkmaar’s lead!]

The AFAS Stadion erupted as Altidore wheeled away in celebration, his arms spread wide as his teammates swarmed him.

[A classic center-forward’s goal,] Ronald added. [Strong in the air, perfect timing, and an unstoppable header!]

The scoreboard flashed: AZ Alkmaar 2-0 FC Twente.

Twente players looked stunned. They had been pushing hard for an equalizer, but instead, they found themselves further behind.

[And now Twente have a real problem,] Erik said. [They’ve played well, created chances, but AZ Alkmaar have been more clinical.]

Fweeeee!~

As the referee signaled for the restart, Twente knew they had no choice but to go all out.