Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 55: First Career Goal

Chapter 55: First Career Goal

The clock soon ticked into the 81st minute, and the game burst into life once more.

Anzhi Makhachkala knew that a draw wasn’t enough but AZ Alkmaar would be happy if the game ended in this scoreline as they now had a slight advantage over the Russian side.

With the away goal rule, AZ Alkmaar now had an advantage over Anzhi Makhachkala when they meet again in Alkmaar for the second-leg of the Europa League qualifying play-off match.

The crowd’s roars fluctuated with each attack, their energy feeding the players on the pitch.

Anzhi Makhachkala struck first after the restart. Samuel Eto’o received the ball just outside the 18-yard box.

With a quick turn, he evaded Reijnen who was closely marking him to free himself, and he let loose a low shot aimed at the bottom corner.

[What a strike by Eto’o!] Paul’s voice carried the urgency. [Is this the moment for Anzhi Makhachkala?]

Alvarado dived at full stretch, and his fingers managed to brush the ball just slightly enough to tip it onto the post.

Clang!

The crowd gasped as the ball rebounded into the six-yard box after hitting the goalpost, only for Viergever to clear it to safety.

[Alvarado with a miraculous save to keep AZ Alkmaar in the game!] Willem exclaimed, gripping his mic. [Anzhi Makhachkala was just inches away from taking the lead again!]

AZ Alkmaar didn’t wait to regroup; and they countered immediately.

The ball reached Elm, who sprinted down the left flank, outpacing his marker, Shatov.

Spotting Altidore making a run through the center, he whipped in a curling cross to the 18-yard box.

Altidore rose above the defenders, and his header connected firmly, sending the ball flying directly to the top corner.

The ball rocketed toward the top corner, but Gabulov, lunged at it with lightning reflexes to punch it over the bar.

[Unbelievable save by Gabulov!] Willem shouted, shaking his head in disbelief. [That header had goal written all over it!]

Paul chimed in, his voice steady but charged with excitement. [Both teams are going for it now. This is football at its finest!]

Minutes later, it was Anzhi Makhachkala’s turn again.

Willian, who had been silent for the latter part of the second half operated in a pocket of space. He found himself one-on-one with Marcellis.

As Marcellis closed in on him, he executed a clever feint to the left side and the defender was left flat-footed, and Willian unleashed a powerful shot from 25 yards out.

The ball swerved wickedly in the air, heading for the top corner.

Alvarado leapt towards the ball with his arms outstretched and miraculously pushing the ball onto the crossbar.

The stadium erupted in mixed reactions—cheers from AZ Alkmaar fans, and groans from Anzhi Makhachkala supporters.

[Alvarado is keeping AZ Alkmaar in this game!] Paul’s voice was filled with awe. [Another stunning save! How does he do it?]

[And Willian can’t believe it!] Willem added, pointing to the Brazilian’s look of disbelief. [He thought that was in, Paul! We all did!]

As the game entered the 85th minute, AZ Alkmaar surged forward once more. This time around, it was Benjamin who orchestrated the attack.

After receiving the ball near the halfway line, he sprinted forward to open space but soon two Anzhi Makhachkala players closed in on him.

Seeing that there were no supporting players close by, he opted to take them on.

As the first marker stretched his leg in a sliding tackle, Benjamin made slight contact with the ball and flick it over the player’s sliding leg.

He successfully evaded the player’s sliding challenge but the threat wasn’t over as the second marker rushed towards him to scoop the ball.

Benjamin saw his movements and despite the fact that he hadn’t regained his balance from his previous move, he approached the ball at speed and slightly ahead of his body.

As the player came near him, he planted his left foot firmly beside the ball for balance.

Using his right foot, he swung it across his body while cutting the ball diagonally behind his standing leg with the inside of his right foot.

Simultaneously, he leaped slightly with his planted foot to avoid tripping over the ball.

The well executed Ronaldo’s Chop created space for him and change direction of the ball, allowing him to accelerate away from the defender who was left flatfooted and slipped awkwardly to the ground.

Wooaaah!~

The stadium burst in to cheers in the away end as Benjamin skillfully danced past the two Anzhi Makhachkala players, his quick feet leaving them scrambling.

[Look at Benjamin go!] Willem yelled, [He’s fearless!]

Benjamin’s burst of pace left the players trailing as he surged forward into acres of space that had opened up ahead of him.

And he didn’t hesitate. Sprinting towards the 18-yard box, he spotted Henriksen making himself available near the edge.

Without breaking his stride, Benjamin nudged the ball towards Henriksen with a short pass.

Henriksen controlled it deftly and immediately returned it with a soft chip, threading the ball over the scrambling defenders and into Benjamin’s path ahead.

[What a one-two!] Willem’s voice was brimming with excitement. [Benjamin’s through on goal! The defenders are out of position!]

Benjamin controlled the ball and his first touch took him into the 18-yard box, leaving him face-to-face with the rushing goalkeeper, Gabulov.

[It’s just him and the goalkeeper now!] Paul shouted, leaning forward. [What will the young man do?]

Benjamin slowed slightly, his gaze locked on Gabulov. The keeper rushed forward with his arms wide, trying to close the angle.

Benjamin feinted a shot with his right foot, his body shifting convincingly to sell the move. Gabulov bought it and committed, diving to his left.

But Benjamin wasn’t done. In the same motion, he brought the ball back with a sharp touch and rounded the goalkeeper with ease.

[He’s sent Gabulov the wrong way!] Willem exclaimed. [Brilliant composure from the youngster!]

With a calmness that belied his age, Benjamin slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the gaping net.

[GOAL! BENJAMIN RIJKAARD HAS DONE IT!] Paul’s voice cracked with excitement. [What a moment for the young man! AZ Alkmaar lead 2-1!]

GOAAAAL!~

The away end erupted in jubilation. Fans leapt from their seats, fists pumping the air as the players celebrated wildly on the pitch.

Benjamin sprinted to the corner flag, his face alight with joy. Sliding on his knees, he mimicked drawing an arrow from a quiver and releasing it, aiming directly at the Anzhi Makhachkala supporters.

Booooo!~

The home crowd responded with a wave of boos, their frustration pouring out.

[What a celebration!] Willem laughed. [He’s letting the Anzhi Makhachkala fans know exactly how he feels!]

Benjamin’s teammates rushed over, piling onto him in celebration. Henrikson ruffled his hair while Altidore slapped him on the back, grinning from ear to ear.

On the sidelines, Gertjan Verbeek punched the air with both fists. "That’s it!" he shouted, his earlier tension now replaced with pure elation.

[This is what dreams are made of, Willem,] Paul said, his tone filled with admiration. [Benjamin Rijkaard, a 17 year old player with everything to prove, might have just won the game for AZ Alkmaar]

Willem nodded in agreement, his voice tinged with awe. [And it’s the composure that gets me. The way he sold that fake and calmly finished—it’s beyond his years. This kid is special]

In the Anzhi Makhachkala end, the supporters were stunned into silence. Sergei’s face was a mixture of disbelief and anger. His earlier confidence was now a distant memory.

Ivan nudged him with a sly grin on his face. "Still think your bet’s safe?"

Sergei glared at him, muttering curses under his breath. His gaze lingered on Benjamin, who stood surrounded by teammates, soaking in the applause from the AZ Alkmaar fans.

"Unbelievable," Sergei muttered. "That kid is a problem."

Back on the pitch, Benjamin jogged back to his position, his chest heaving from excitement but his expression remained calm

He spared a glance at the scoreboard: 2-1.