Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 37: Fluid Counterattack

Chapter 37: Fluid Counterattack

AZ Alkmaar kept up their relentless pressure, pressing Heracles high up the field to keep the visitors from settling.

Now that he was getting into his flow, Henriksen dropped deep to pick up a pass from Martens. After a fluid move and a quick survey of the field, he released a pinpoint pass to Berghuis close to his right wing.

[Henriksen again showing his class,] one of the commentators noted, his voice steady but charged. [That’s the composure you want to see from a debutant. He’s keeping things moving.]

Berghuis sped past his marker in the right wing, he controlled the ball with ease and curled a cross toward the far post.

Altidore, who was in position jumped to meet it, his head firmly hitting it.

[Altidore rises!...] The commentator’s voice rose in anticipation. However, the home crowd groaned as the ball skimmed just over the bar.

[Close, but not quite! Altidore knows he should’ve done better there,] his partner chimed in, the disappointment evident. [That was a golden chance, all set up by Henriksen’s vision.]

Verbeek paced close to the technical area on the sidelines, throwing his hands up in frustration. His words carried across the pitch, urging his players to keep pressing for a breakthrough. "Come on boys! It’s only a matter of time! Keep pressing and remain alert!"

The tension was evident in the stands. A few home supporters stood with their hands clasped over their heads or their arms folded. Others tried to boost the team with rhythmic clapping.

"Come on, Kaaskoppen![1]" yelled a young fan in an oversized AZ Alkmaar scarf.

Benjamin felt the pressure of expectation on the pitch, but he managed to keep his composure. He became increasingly comfortable of his place here with each attempt.

Moments later in the 70th minute, there was another opportunity.

Once more directing from midfield, Henriksen lofted a pass to the left flank. The spectators applauded as Benjamin used a delicate first touch to control the ball.

[Nice control from Benjamin] The commentator remarked, In an admiring tone. [He now has more room to work.]

A Heracles defender rushed to stop Benjamin as he ran forward and made a cut inside. Benjamin looked up just in time to see Adam making a late run toward the edge of the 18 yard box.

Benjamin’s threaded a pass through the smallest of openings in-between his marker’s legs and Adam took it in stride.

[And here’s Adam! Could this be it?] the excitement in the commentator’s voice was infectious.

Adam struck the ball cleanly, but it missed the post by a narrow margin. Frustrated, he put his hands on his knees and lowered his head.

[Another missed opportunity, but what a ball from Benjamin,] the co-commentator noted. [This kid’s got an eye for a pass.]

Once again, the crowd groaned, while some were applauding to support the side. Verbeek also clapped, but his jaw was clenched. "Good attempt!" he shouted. "Keep pushing!"

The next opportunity fell to Henriksen in the 73rd minute. He skillfully evaded his marker after receiving a quick pass from Adam right beyond the penalty area.

He had a little room to try and create a goalscoring opportunity as the opposition defenders closed in on him quickly. Deciding on the next best thing, he set the ball in position and fired a curling shot, aiming for the top corner.

[Henriksen goes for goal!...] The commentator’s voice peaked.

At full stretch, the Heracles goalie, Pasveer, made contact with the all and flicked it over the bar. A mixture of cheers and moans broke out from the stands.

[What a save! Pasveer is having the game of his life,] one of the commentators said, his voice laced with disbelief.

[So far, he has been unbeatable, but Henriksen also deserves credit. That strike was spectacular.]

The urgency increased with every minute that went by as the clock continued to tick. The time was already at the 75th minute mark and the home fans were beginning to doubt their chances of winning the game.

Moments later, Benjamin was in possession, but this time he was farther to the left. With a sudden burst of pace, he beat his marker down the line and then whipped in a cross to the near post.

Unfortunately, the Heracles defenders arrived before Altidore, who rushed forward, clearing it away for a corner.

[Benjamin is really turning up the heat on that left wing,] the commentator remarked. [The youngster’s fearlessness is exactly what this team needs at the moment]

The fans roared louder, their belief unwavering. Even those who had doubted the young substitutes now shouted their names, urging them on.

[You have to think,] the co-commentator added, [if AZ Alkmaar keeps this up, then the equalizer is inevitable. It’s just a matter of when]

Standing on the edge of his technical area, Verbeek clasped his palms around his mouth. "Come on! Come on!" he yelled, his voice hoarse but determined.

By the time the game reached the 85th minute, AZ Alkmaar had dominated possession with almost 90% and continued to apply constant pressure.

Seemingly happy to relax in defense, Heracles invited wave after wave of assault. Both on the field and in the stands, the tension was evident.

Adam Maher lurked close to the midway line, watching as Heracles got a chance at attacking since a long while. He leaped forward as Heracles attempted a risky diagonal pass.

After extending his leg and cleanly intercepting the ball, he turned quickly to dodge an approaching challenge from behind him.

[Adam Maher, sharp as ever! He intercepts that pass, and now AZ Alkmaar are on the counter,] the lead commentator noted, his voice calm but full of anticipation.

Adam played a short, fast pass to Martens without hesitation, and Martens glanced up instantly to assess his options.

Spotting Benjamin on the far left wing of the pitch, Martens launched a high, arcing ball towards the left side of the pitch.

[Oh, what a pass from Martens! He’s sent that one flying to the left wing, where Benjamin Rijkaard waits in anticipation] the co-commentator exclaimed.

The murmurs of the crowd increased as the ball carried in midair. Benjamin repositioned himself while maintaining a fixed gaze on the ball.

He jumped into the air as it fell.

Both spectators and defenders were taken aback when Benjamin, still in midair, folded his right leg behind his left. He easily controlled the ball with the inside of his right foot, which was now behind his left leg.

Loud gasps of disbelief erupted all over the stadium.

[Oh—my—word! Did you see that? Benjamin Rijkaard with an unbelievable ball control in mid-air! That’s not just skill; that lad’s brimming with confidence!]

[Unreal! This kid has ice in his veins. Controlling the ball like that under pressure? What a moment for the young man] the co-commentator added, his voice tinged with awe.

Cheers reverberated across the stadium as fans jumped to their feet. Even Verbeek paused his pacing on the sideline, shocked by Benjamin’s guts.

The ball clung to Benjamin’s foot as he landed with ease. His marker frantically tried to close him down as he charged ahead. Benjamin slowed a little around the 18-yard box’s edge, bringing the defender in closer.

The defender approached Benjamin cautiously, bending slightly at the knees, ready to pounce. Benjamin’s eyes flicked between the ball and the defender’s stance. Then, with a sudden burst of precision, he made his move.

Benjamin used the inside of his right foot to push the ball slightly to his right, his body leaning in the same direction to sell the feint. The Heracles defender shifted his body as if anticipating the drive.

But Benjamin had other plans.

[Here comes Benjamin, sizing up his marker. Watch this—oh, he fakes right!] the lead commentator exclaimed.

Before the defender could react, Benjamin rolled the ball back with the sole of his foot, almost as if teasing his opponent. Without hesitation, he flicked the ball sharply to the opposite side using the outside of his right foot, his body shifting in perfect harmony to sell the move.

[Oh my word! An elastico! Benjamin just pulled an elastico out of nowhere!] the co-commentator shouted, his voice rising in excitement. [That’s sheer brilliance from the young winger!]

The Heracles right-back tried to adjust his body as his feet skidded on the turf. But the ball was already gone, and so was Benjamin.

Benjamin left the defender reeling with a swift elastico move, moving the ball from one side to the other in an instant.

Benjamin completed the move by accelerating toward the ball to take advantage of the space created, he ran past the Heracles right-back who slid after his final desperate slide ended in disaster as he crumpled awkwardly onto the ground, completely outclassed.

[And he’s left him on the floor! My goodness, Benjamin Rijkaard just embarrassed that defender! This kid is on fire!] the lead commentator declared, his voice nearly drowned out by the roar of the crowd.

[That’s football at its finest. The speed, the execution—it’s just so clean. And look at the confidence on the lad! That’s a slip that defender will want to forget] the co-commentator added, almost laughing in disbelief.

The stands erupted, the home fans screaming and clapping wildly. Some were on their feet, gesturing toward the fallen defender with exaggerated disbelief.

Verbeek, on the sidelines, clasped his forehead while muttering something that was lost in the sea of noise.

[This kid is special. He’s got skill, he’s got flair, and he’s got the guts to pull it off in a moment like this] the lead commentator said.

Benjamin surged forward with the ball under perfect control as he set his sights on the 18-yard box.

The fallen defender lay sprawled on the ground, shaking his head in frustration as the crowd started chanting Benjamin’s name in a frenzy.

Benjamin raised his head up, looking for options as he drove toward the penalty area. The defenders were having trouble keeping up with Altidore and Berghuis as they charged into the box.

Benjamin hit the ball on the outside of his right foot without letting his stride change. It flew with a curl towards the danger area.

The crowd held its breath as the ball flew through the air. With his eyes fixed on the ball, Altidore jumped, towering over his marker. He stretched as high as he could, but the ball slipped by him, just narrowly missing his head.

[Altidore rises... and—oh, he’s missed it! Just a hair too high!]

Gasps filled the stadium, followed by sighs of disappointment. Altidore landed on the ground with his hands on his head, disbelief etched across his face.

[So close! Altidore was inches away from making that count,] the lead commentator said, his voice tinged with regret.

[Heartbreak for the home side, but wait—what’s this? Berghuis is unmarked!] the co-commentator interrupted.

Berghuis had slipped past his marker as everyone’s focus was on Altidore. He threw himself into the air with a burst of determination.

His head connected with the ball and he sent a powerful header, the ball flying unobstructed into the back of the net.

The Heracles goalkeeper, Pasveer, couldn’t even react in time to stop the ball from going into the back of the net. He stood there stunned as the ball flew past him.

[Goal~!!! Berghuis has done it! AZ Alkmaar have drawn level and they are back in business!]

Chaos broke out in the stands.

Desperation turned to pure excitement as the home fans jumped, screamed, and embraced one another. A roar of excitement escaped Verbeek’s lips as he punched the air.

[What a moment! Benjamin Rijkaard provided his first career assist in stunning fashion, and Steven Berghuis scored the header of his life. This is what football is all about!]

[Pasveer didn’t even see it coming. It was impossible to stop that header. And credit to Benjamin for setting it all up. The youngster has delivered under pressure]

The stadium trembled with the jubilation from the home fans.

Berghuis attempted to sprint toward the corner flag in celebration, but he was pulled back by the captain, Martens who urged the players back to the center circle to resume the game immediately.

It was only an equalizer, the time was running out and they needed to win the game.