Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 67: Early Lead

Chapter 67: Early Lead

The ball rolled across the center circle as the players sprang into action, the energy in the stadium surging with every touch.

From the commentary box, the voices of the two commentators carried through the broadcast, capturing the atmosphere and tension perfectly.

[And we are underway here at the AFAS Stadion!] the first commentator exclaimed as the home crowd erupted into cheers. [AZ Alkmaar versus Heerenveen. Both sides with a lot on the line tonight]

[Absolutely,] the second commentator added. [AZ Alkmaar will be looking to carry over their midweek form, while Heerenveen will aim to maintain their strong start to the season. This promises to be an intriguing battle]

The camera zoomed in on Benjamin as he darted down the left flank, his pace already testing the right-back, Zuiverloon.

He picked up a long pass from Martens and charged forward, only for Kruiswijk to intercept with a well-timed tackle.

[Early intent from Benjamin there,] the first commentator noted. [He’s been in fine form since his debut, and he’ll want to keep that momentum going]

[Heerenveen will need to stay compact at the back,] the second commentator responded. [Benjamin, Altidore, and Berghuis have the potential to cause plenty of problems if given space]

The game quickly found its rhythm, with AZ Alkmaar dictating possession in the opening minutes.

Henriksen pulled the strings from the central position like a puppeteer, spraying passes to both wings and probing for openings.

[AZ Alkmaar looking confident on the ball,] the first commentator observed. [Martens and Elm doing a good job of controlling the tempo early on.]

[But Heerenveen aren’t sitting back,] the second commentator chimed in as van la Parra latched onto a loose ball from their half and broke down the right flank with Gorter hot in pursuit.

Feeling pressured by Gorter’s tight marking, van la Parra whipped in a dangerous cross into the 18-yard box, but Viergever was there to head it clear to safety.

[Good defending by Viergever,] the first commentator remarked. [He’ll need to be alert tonight with Heerenveen’s quick transitions]

The first ten minutes passed with chances at both ends of the pitch.

AZ Alkmaar came closest to scoring when Altidore muscled his way past Zomer after an excellent up-through pass from Henrikson and unleashed a powerful shot, forcing Nordfeldt into an acrobatic save.

[That’s a great stop from Nordfeldt,] the second commentator said, his voice rising with excitement. [Altidore showing his strength there, but the keeper was up to the task]

[And that’s what AZ Alkmaar need,] the first commentator added. [More of those direct runs to unsettle the Heerenveen defense]

As the game unfolded, the crowd’s energy ebbed and flowed with every near miss and crunching tackle from both teams.

The commentators kept pace, their voices rising and falling to match the action on the field.

[It’s been an end-to-end start,] the second commentator summarized during a brief pause in play. [Both teams looking dangerous, but AZ Alkmaar might feel they should be ahead given the chances they’ve created]

[Still a long way to go,] the first commentator replied as the referee signaled for a free kick to AZ Alkmaar in the twelfth minute after Benjamin was brought down close to the touchline. [Let’s see if they can make this set-piece count]

As Benjamin lined up to take the free kick, the camera panned to the AZ Alkmaar bench. Gertjan Verbeek leaned forward, his eyes glued to the action. The tension in the stadium was palpable.

[This could be a big moment,] the first commentator said as Martens stepped up. [Can AZ Alkmaar find the breakthrough?]

Fweeee!~

The referee’s whistle pierced through the air, and the AFAS Stadion fell into a momentary silence as Benjamin raised his hand to signal his intent to play the ball. His hand signal was met with the anticipation of teammates and fans alike.

Standing just outside the touchline, he adjusted his stance, his sharp eyes scanning the crowded penalty area before whipping a curling cross into the far corner of the 18-yard box.

The ball spun through the air with precision, its arc glinting under the stadium lights.

Players from both teams jostled fiercely for position within the 18-yard box, their jerseys tugged and elbows nudged each other as AZ Alkmaar’s attackers tried to stay onside.

In the chaos, Heerenveen’s defenders yelled frantic instructions to their teammates, their arms flailing as they tracked the ball’s trajectory.

The cross sailed over the heads of the first wave of players, and narrowly missed Altidore’s outstretched leap. And then, out of nowhere, Reijnen surged forward.

His timing was perfect. Rising above the pack, his head met the ball with a resounding thud. The connection was solid, powerful, and clean.

The ball rocketed into the back of the net, slamming past Nordfeldt, who stood frozen on his line. His hands barely twitched as the ball flew aimlessly beyond his reach.

GOAAAAL!~

The AFAS Stadion exploded.

The roar of the home crowd was deafening, a wave of sound that swept across the stadium.

Fans jumped from their seats, their red-and-white scarves whipping through the air as they screamed in unison.

The chant of "AZ! AZ!" rippled through the stands, growing louder with each repetition.

On the sideline, Gertjan Verbeek sprang to his feet with his fists pumping as he let out an uncharacteristic yell.

His normally stern demeanor was replaced by a grin as he clapped his hands, urging his players to stay focused.

[What a header! What a goal!] the first commentator’s voice rose above the noise, filled with excitement. [Reijnen with a textbook finish! And AZ Alkmaar take the lead early in this game!]

[That’s exactly what they needed,] the second commentator added, his tone equally electrified. [Benjamin’s delivery was inch-perfect, but Reijnen deserves all the credit for that finish. Nordfeldt had no chance of stopping that!]

The camera cut to the Heerenveen fans, their faces a mix of shock and disappointment. A small group in the away section tried to rally with chants of their own, but their voices were drowned out by the jubilant AZ Alkmaar supporters.

[Look at the reaction in the stands,] the first commentator said, his voice barely audible over the cheers. [The fans know how important this goal is. AZ Alkmaar are off to a flying start tonight!]

On the pitch, Reijnen jogged back to his half with his arms outstretched as his teammates swarmed him. Benjamin was the first to reach him, grinning widely as he slapped Reijnen on the back.

[Reijnen has been solid at the back this season for AZ Alkmaar,] the second commentator said. [But now he’s proving he can be a threat in the opposition box too. That’s his first goal of the campaign, and what a time to get it]

The scoreboard updated: AZ Alkmaar 1 - 0 Heerenveen.

"AZ!"~"AZ!"~"AZ!"

As the players reset for the kickoff, the home fans continued their chants, the stadium a cauldron of noise. Gertjan Verbeek paced the touchline with a satisfied expression.

[The question now is, how will Heerenveen respond?] the first commentator asked as the game resumed. [They’ve got the firepower to hit back, but AZ Alkmaar look full of confidence after that opener]

[This game is far from over,] the second commentator replied. [But AZ Alkmaar have laid down the first marker. It’s up to Heerenveen to find an answer]