Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 71: Halftime

Chapter 71: Halftime

The game restarted with Heerenveen looking shell-shocked, their passes were now hurried and the movement disjointed.

The confidence they’d tried to muster after the third goal seemed to evaporate with Berghuis’ chip. AZ Alkmaar, on the other hand, was relentless, swarming the ball at every opportunity.

[This is a hunting party now,] the first commentator said as AZ Alkmaar regained possession almost immediately. [Heerenveen can’t find a way out]

[They’re suffocating them,] the second commentator agreed. [Every time Heerenveen tries to build, there’s an AZ Alkmaar shirt right there to shut it down]

Van den Berg tried to spark something for Heerenveen, dropping deeper to pick up the ball. He threaded a pass through the middle to Finnbogason, who managed to turn and drive forward.

The away crowd murmured, sensing a sliver of hope for the visitors.

Finnbogason worked his way into AZ Alkmaar’s half and looked up, searching for support. Just as he was hesitant to release the ball, Viergever slid in with a clean and precise tackle to dispossess him and the home fans roared in approval.

[Brilliant tackle by Viergever!] the first commentator exclaimed. [Textbook defending. Finnbogason thought he had room, but no chance]

[It’s the story of the stingy neighbor, isn’t it?] the second commentator replied. [Heerenveen get a sniff of sumptuous steak, and AZ Alkmaar slam the door shut]

Viergever calmly rolled the ball to Martens, who turned quickly and found Elm in the center. Elm took a touch with his head already up, scanning the field.

Seeing Benjamin making another darting run down the left flank, he wasted no time to feed him the ball.

[Here we go again,] the first commentator said as Elm’s pass reached Benjamin. [Every attack seems to start with him]

Benjamin controlled it with his chest, his marker already backing off, wary of being embarrassed again.

He took two steps forward before shifting his weight and darting toward the touchline. Zuiverloon hesitated, giving Benjamin the half-yard he needed to swing in a dangerous cross.

Altidore and Berghuis were both charging into the box, but this time, Nordfeldt rose high to punch the ball clear. It wasn’t far, though, and Henrikson was waiting on the edge of the box.

[What a punch from Nordfeldt,] the second commentator noted. [He’s keeping the scoreline from getting even uglier]

Henrikson brought the ball down and quickly laid it off to Elm, who had hung back in support.

Elm, who was free with no one closing him down, lofted the ball back into the box. Altidore rose to meet it, but his header sailed just wide.

[So close! Altidore was inches away from a hat-trick,] the first commentator exclaimed.

[He’s been a handful all game,] the second commentator said. [Heerenveen’s defense just doesn’t know how to handle him]

The pace of the game slowed momentarily as both sides adjusted, and the first half slowly approached the end.

Heerenveen tried to string together some meaningful possession, but AZ Alkmaar’s organization remained impeccable.

Benjamin, who was still full of energy, tracked back to help out defensively, winning a throw-in after pressuring Zuiverloon into an error.

[It’s not just his attacking,] the first commentator said, watching Benjamin jog back into position. [He’s putting in a shift defensively too. The kid’s everywhere]

[And he’s only going to get better,] the second commentator added. [If I’m a defender in this league, I’m already losing sleep over him]

As the game wore on, AZ Alkmaar continued to dominate the game, their crisp passing and fluid movement were too much for Heerenveen to handle.

With every attack, the home fans grew louder, sensing their team wasn’t just playing to see out the game—they were hunting for more.

AZ Alkmaar showed no signs of slowing down their attacks. Martens orchestrated another attack from midfield.

He played a quick one-two with Elm to open up space, and Martens carried the ball forward with purpose.

[Look at the breakthrough from Martens,] the first commentator said as the midfielder evaded a challenge from de Roon. [He’s gliding through the middle like he’s got all the time in the world]

[Heerenveen look like they’re chasing shadows,] the second commentator replied. [There’s no pressure on the ball, and AZ Alkmaar are just picking their moments]

Martens spotted Berghuis making a run down the right and played a perfectly weighted diagonal pass to him.

Berghuis, who was sprinting into space, controlled the ball with a deft first touch and immediately turned to face his defender. With a quick shimmy, he darted inside, skipping past the outstretched leg of Zomer.

[Berghuis is in full flow here!] the first commentator exclaimed. [He’s left Zomer for dead]

Berghuis drove toward the edge of the box with his head up as he scanned for options.

Altidore and Benjamin were both making runs into the 18-yard box, dragging defenders with them and creating gaps in the Heerenveen backline.

Instead of forcing a shot towards goal, Berghuis slipped a clever pass into Henrikson, who had ghosted into the space between the center-backs.

Henrikson took a touch to steady himself, the goal opening up before him.

[This is it! Henrikson’s got a chance to make it five before the break!] the first commentator shouted, his excitement mirroring the roar of the crowd.

Nordfeldt rushed out with his arms wide, trying to close the angle.

Henrikson struck the ball low and hard toward the far corner. Time seemed to slow as it skidded across the turf, heading for the bottom corner.

[What a save by Nordfeldt!] the second commentator shouted as the goalkeeper stretched out a strong right hand to tip the ball just wide of the post. [That’s sensational! He’s single-handedly keeping Heerenveen in this]

The home crowd erupted in applause for the effort, but Nordfeldt’s heroics did little to dampen the relentless pressure from AZ Alkmaar.

[You’ve got to admire the build-up,] the first commentator said as replays of the chance played on the big screen. [Henrikson did everything right there, but sometimes, the keeper just wins]

[And Nordfeldt’s been winning a lot tonight,] the second commentator added. [It could easily be seven or eight if not for him]

The referee glanced at his watch before blowing the whistle for halftime.

Fweeee!~

The players began making their way off the pitch, and the home fans rose to their feet, applauding their team’s dominant display.

[There’s the whistle, and what a first half it’s been for AZ Alkmaar,] the first commentator said as the camera panned across the jubilant crowd. [Four goals, endless energy, and a masterclass in attacking football]

[Heerenveen will be counting their blessings it’s not worse,] the second commentator replied. [They’ve been completely outplayed, and you have to wonder what their manager can say to turn this around]

As the players disappeared into the tunnel, the stadium buzzed with anticipation for the second half.

AZ Alkmaar had made their statement, and the home fans were eager for more.