Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 243: Band For Band

Chapter 243: Band For Band

Altidore lunged for it—

But Wisgerhof stuck out a desperate foot, deflecting the ball just enough to send it rolling past the far post.

[Crucial interception!] Erik said. [That was almost the knockout punch!]

The corner was taken quickly, with Benjamin playing it short to Victor Elm. Elm feigned a cross, instead cutting inside before delivering a floated ball to the back post.

Viergever climbed highest, heading it down toward goal—

But Boschker reacted quickly, smothering the ball before Altidore could pounce.

[Twente are still hanging on,] Ronald said. [But they’re living dangerously.]

Boschker wasted no time, launching a long throw to Brama, who immediately sent Tadić sprinting down the left.

[Twente have to make this count,] Erik urged. [They need a goal soon.]

Tadić danced past Marcellis, squared up to Reijnen, then slid a clever pass into the 18 yard box for Fer, who arrived late.

Fer took a touch and fired—

But again, Alvarado was there! The keeper parried the shot, and Marcellis hooked the rebound clear.

[This is unreal!] Ronald exclaimed. [Alvarado is a wall tonight!]

The AZ Alkmaar fans roared in appreciation, chanting their keeper’s name.

[Twente must be wondering what it’ll take to beat him,] Erik said. [They’ve had chance after chance in this early stages of the second half, but Alvarado has answered every single one.]

McClaren paced the touchline, shaking his head. His team had dominated the second half so far, but they had nothing to show for it.

[They’re running out of time,] Ronald said. [And you get the feeling AZ Alkmaar might just punish them more for all these missed chances]

Twente pressed high, desperate to break through, but AZ Alkmaar stayed disciplined, their lines compact. Every failed attack left them vulnerable at the back.

Brama, still dictating the tempo, worked the ball to Fer, who threaded a pass through to Tadić on the edge of the 18 yard box.

[Tadić again, looking to create something!] Erik called.

Tadić feigned a shot, shifting the ball past Martens before curling a right-footed effort toward the far post—

[That’s heading in—] Ronald started.

But Alvarado, again, flew to his left, fingertips grazing the ball just enough to push it around the post!

[Incredible save!] Erik shouted. [Alvarado refuses to be beaten!]

Tadić stood with his hands on his hips, shaking his head in disbelief. Twente fans groaned collectively.

[That was top class,] Ronald said. [Tadić did everything right. The placement, the curve—but Alvarado is just in a different world tonight.]

The resulting corner swung in dangerously, curling toward the six-yard box. Alvarado came through the crowd, punching it away with both fists.

[Strong goalkeeping!] Erik praised. [He’s commanding his box brilliantly.]

The clearance dropped to Henriksen, who instantly launched a long ball down the left flank.

Benjamin exploded forward, chasing it down.

[And here goes Benjamin again!] Ronald shouted. [Rosales is struggling to keep up!]

Benjamin reached the ball, took one look up, and drove a low cross into the 18 yard box.

Altidore, muscling past Wisgerhof, but missed the ball by a slight margin. Berghuis who was lurking behind immediately pounced. He met it first-time with a powerful strike!

Boschker reacted, diving to his left—

But the ball was too fast! It crashed into the back of the net!

[GOAL!!!] Erik roared. [Berghuis finally gets his goal! AZ Alkmaar lead 4-1 in the 62 minute!]

The AFAS Stadion erupted. Altidore slid on his knees in celebration, his teammates swarming him.

[That was coming,] Ronald said. [Twente have been knocking on the door all second half, but they left themselves open again, and AZ Alkmaar made them pay]

McClaren looked defeated on the touchline, hands on his head. His team had dominated possession, created chances—but AZ Alkmaar had been ruthless.

[That might just be game over,] Erik said. [Twente have had their moments, but Alvarado’s heroics and AZ Alkmaar’s counter-attacks have decided this one.]

The Twente players looked deflated as they walked back to the center circle.

[With just under 30 minutes to go,] Ronald said, [Twente need a miracle now]

Fweeeee!~

Twente restarted quickly, pushing forward with urgency. They had no choice now. The next few minutes would decide if they had any chance of salvaging something from this game.

Brama took charge, threading a pass to Tadić on the left. The Serbian winger cut inside, looking for options.

[Tadić again, trying to make something happen,] Erik said.

He spotted Castaignos making a run and lifted a chipped pass toward him.

[Castaignos brings it down—] Ronald started.

But Reijnen was tight on him, not giving an inch of space. The Twente striker tried to swivel and shoot, but Viergever stepped in, blocking the effort before clearing his lines.

[That’s great defending,] Erik said. [AZ Alkmaar aren’t giving them any space in the 18 yard box.]

But Twente kept coming with deadly intent. Rosales picked up the loose ball and swung in a cross—

It was a dangerous one, curling into the six-yard box.

[This could be it—] Ronald said.

Fer rose highest, beating Martens and Victor Elm in the air, and powered a header toward goal.

Alvarado reacted instantly, diving to his right with his arms outstretched—

But this time, he couldn’t get there in time!

The ball slammed into the back of the net!

[GOAL!!!] Erik shouted. [Twente pull one back! It’s 4-2 now!]

GOOAAAAALLLLLL!!!~

The Twente fans erupted in the away end, their team showing signs of life. Fer pumped his fist as his teammates rushed to him.

[They’re not done yet!] Ronald said. [There’s still enough time left, and that goal might just give them belief!]

McClaren clapped on the sidelines, urging his team forward.

AZ Alkmaar weren’t happy. Gertjan Verbeek gathered the players near the touch line, barking instructions. They needed to stay focused.

[This is a huge moment,] Erik said. [AZ Alkmaar looked comfortable, but now Twente have a lifeline. What happens next is crucial.]

Fweeeee!~

AZ Alkmaar restarted and Twente immediately pressed high again, their energy renewed.

AZ Alkmaar had to be careful now—one more goal, and the game could change completely.