Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 238: Twente Pull One Back

Chapter 238: Twente Pull One Back

The ball deflected off his outstretched boot, angling past Alvarado and nestling into the bottom corner of the net.

[GOOOOAAAL!!!] Ronald erupted. [Luciano Castaignos finally breaks through!]

The Twente striker wheeled away in celebration, pumping his fist as his teammates rushed to embrace him.

[They’ve been knocking on the door all game,] Erik said. [And finally, they’ve got their reward in the 30th minute!]

The AFAS Stadion fell silent for a moment, stunned by the sudden goal. Alvarado slapped the ground in frustration before quickly getting back to his feet, shouting instructions to his teammates.

[It’s a lifeline for FC Twente,] Ronald added. [And right before halftime too! This changes everything.]

On the sidelines, Steve McClaren clapped his hands, urging his players to reset quickly. Twente had fought hard, and now they were back in it.

[Look at the confidence in their play now,] Erik pointed out. [They believe they can get something out of this match.]

AZ Alkmaar restarted play, but Twente pressed high, hungry for an equalizer before the break.

Their energy had shifted, and it showed in the way they snapped at every pass, forcing AZ Alkmaar to play quicker than they wanted.

Henriksen tried to slow things down, rolling the ball back to Reijnen, but Castaignos charged forward, cutting off the passing lane. Reijnen had no choice—he lifted it long, aiming for Gorter.

[Good pressure from Twente,] Erik noted. [They’ve got AZ Alkmaar on the back foot here.]

But Viergever won the aerial battle, nodding it down toward Martens. He turned, looking to spark an attack, but was immediately met by Brama, who slid in hard—cleanly winning the ball.

[Brama again! He’s been everywhere!] Ronald praised.

The loose ball rolled to Fer, who wasted no time. A quick glance, a sharp pass—and suddenly, Tadić was in space on the left.

[This is dangerous,] Erik said. [Tadić has time to pick his pass!]

Tadić didn’t rush. He waited, let Rosales overlap, then clipped a delicate ball into the 18 yard box. Castaignos, still full of energy, made his move, getting across his marker at the near post.

He flicked a header—but it was straight at Alvarado!

[Right at the keeper,] Ronald sighed. [But Twente are going through the latter stages of this half strong!]

Alvarado quickly rolled the ball out to Henriksen, who carried it forward, trying to inject some composure into AZ Alkmaar’s play. But Twente weren’t letting up.

Fer pressed high again, forcing a rushed pass that Brama intercepted.

[Twente have completely taken control,] Erik observed. [AZ Alkmaar need to hear that halftime whistle!]

Brama spotted Chadli peeling away from Marcellis and lifted a ball over the top. Chadli brought it down beautifully, cutting inside. He saw Tadić making a late run and laid it off—

Tadić hit it first time!

The ball swerved through the air, dipping toward the bottom corner—

Alvarado dived!

But it flashed inches wide!

[Ohhh! That was close!] Ronald groaned. [Twente are inches away from leveling before halftime!]

The home crowd exhaled in relief. That could’ve been the equalizer.

AZ Alkmaar were rattled now. The urgency in their movements betrayed their usual composure, and Twente could sense it. The visitors smelled blood.

[AZ Alkmaar need to slow this game down,] Erik said. [Twente are playing with real momentum now, and the home side just can’t keep the ball.]

Alvarado, still catching his breath from that last scare, placed the ball down for the goal kick. He motioned for his team to push up before launching it long.

But Wisgerhof rose highest, towering over Altidore to win the header. The clearance fell straight to Landzaat, who took one touch and immediately fed Chadli down the left flank again.

[Here comes Chadli,] Ronald said, leaning forward. [AZ Alkmaar are giving him way too much space!]

Marcellis, wary of Chadli’s pace, backed off slightly. Chadli took full advantage, driving forward before cutting inside once more onto his stronger right foot. The crowd tensed.

[We’ve seen him do this before,] Erik warned. [They can’t let him shoot!]

Chadli wound up—but at the last second, Viergever lunged in, blocking the shot with a desperate slide.

The ball spun awkwardly into the air before falling to Martens, who cleared his lines with a hoof upfield.

A collective sigh of relief swept through the AFAS Stadion.

[That’s better from AZ Alkmaar,] Ronald said. [They’ve been on the ropes, but Viergever comes up big there.]

AZ Alkmaar finally had a chance to catch their breath, but Twente weren’t about to let them settle.

Brama, a constant thorn in their side, immediately applied pressure, forcing a throw-in deep in AZ Alkmaar’s half.

[Twente are relentless,] Erik said. [Every time AZ Alkmaar get the ball, they’re swarmed.]

Martens took a moment before jogging over to take the throw, looking for options. Altidore made a run toward him, shielding off Wisgerhof.

Martens played it short to him, but before the American could turn, Fer was already on him, muscling him off the ball with sheer strength.

[Fer again! He’s been an absolute monster in midfield,] Ronald said.

Fer poked it out wide to Rosales, who took one touch before whipping in an early cross.

Castaignos was there again!

He rose above Reijnen and connected with a powerful header—but it was straight into Alvarado’s gloves!

[Good positioning from the keeper,] Erik acknowledged. [But Castaignos is winning everything in the air right now.]

Alvarado wasted no time. He sprinted to the edge of his 18 yard box and hurled the ball out to Berghuis on the right. AZ Alkmaar needed an escape, and this was their chance.

Berghuis controlled it with a soft first touch and drove forward, his quick feet moving past Schilder with ease. The crowd roared, sensing a shift.

[Here come AZ Alkmaar! Berghuis with space to run!] Ronald shouted.

Henriksen joined the break, sprinting down the center, and Benjamin took off down the left. The momentum had flipped in an instant.

Berghuis waited, then slid a clever pass toward Henriksen, who carried it toward the 18 yard box. Twente defenders scrambled back.

[This is better from AZ Alkmaar! Henriksen has options—]

But instead of passing, Henriksen took a heavy touch, and Brama was there again, sliding in to take the ball cleanly. The home fans groaned.

[Oh, that was a chance!] Erik exclaimed. [But Brama snuffs it out once more! He has been everywhere this half!]