Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 73: Red Card

Chapter 73: Red Card

AZ Alkmaar began the second half as the ball rolled back to Elm, who immediately directed it to Martens.

AZ Alkmaar wasted no time asserting their dominance, pushing forward with the same ferocity that had characterized the first half.

Martens played a quick diagonal to Henriksen, who opened up his body and sent it wide to Benjamin.

[And here we go,] Dirk started, his tone brimming with anticipation. [AZ Alkmaar wasting no time as Benjamin gets his first touch of the second half]

Benjamin’s first touch was flawless, drawing him past Zuiverloon as he darted toward the touchline before cutting back sharply, leaving his marker stumbling.

[Zuiverloon’s in trouble already,] Martin said, chuckling as Benjamin surged forward. [He’s been chasing shadows all game]

Benjamin drove toward the edge of the box with Kruiswijk closing in on him, but he feinted a cross, and then slipped the ball through to Altidore, who had peeled off his marker at the near post.

Altidore spun and fired a shot with his weaker left foot, but Nordfeldt reacted quickly, parrying the ball away.

[Nordfeldt again! This man’s putting on a clinical performance,] Dirk exclaimed. [Heerenveen should buy him dinner after this]

The rebound fell to Berghuis, who shaped to shoot, but Zomer flung himself into its path to block. The ball struck him and ricochets out for a corner.

[That’s commitment,] Martin said, watching Zomer rise gingerly to his feet. [He’s had a tough night, but credit to him—he’s still giving everything]

Benjamin jogged over to take the corner. The crowd buzzed as he placed the ball carefully before stepping back.

[Here’s Benjamin with another set-piece,] Dirk said. [His deliveries have been dangerous all evening]

Benjamin whipped the ball in with pace and precision. It curled toward the penalty spot, where Viergever leapt above everyone else. His header was powerful but sailed just over the bar.

[Close call,] Martin said. [Viergever got up well, but just couldn’t keep it down]

As Heerenveen tried to play out from the back, AZ Alkmaar’s press was relentless.

Henriksen and Elm forced a hurried clearance that Reijnen intercepted near the halfway line. He played it quickly to Martens, who turned and drove forward.

[They’re like a pack of wolves,] Dirk said as Martens weaved through Heerenveen’s midfield. [No time to think, no space to breathe]

Martens slipped a pass to Altidore, who held off his defender and laid it off to Henriksen. Henriksen let the ball roll across his body before firing a shot from 25 yards. It swerved and dipped, forcing Nordfeldt into another acrobatic save.

[What a strike! And what a save! Nordfeldt is standing on his head tonight,] Martin shouted as the goalkeeper punched the ball clear.

The crowd roared in approval, their applause not just for Henriksen’s effort but for Nordfeldt’s heroics.

[You have to wonder,] Dirk mused. [How much longer can he keep this up? Heerenveen’s defense looks like it’s hanging by a cotton thread]

Heerenveen finally managed to string together a few passes in the 52nd minute of the second half, with de Roon orchestrating from deep in his half.

He sent a long ball toward Finnbogason, who chested it down expertly and laid it off to van den Berg. The midfielder surged forward, skipping past Elm and firing a shot from just outside the box.

Alvarado reacted a bit slow from not having touched the ball for a long time, he dove to his left and barely did enough to palm the ball away.

The loose ball fell to Heerenveen’s winger, van la Parra, who tried to curl it into the far corner, but Viergever slid in with a perfectly timed block.

[Brilliant defending from Viergever!] Dirk shouted. [He’s been a wall back there]

[That’s the first real chance Heerenveen’s had in ages,] Martin added. [And still, they can’t break through]

The game’s intensity remained high as AZ Alkmaar continued to dominate possession, probing for another opening.

Benjamin, once again found himself in space on the left flank. He danced past the right-back, Zuiverloon, who was now low in confidence with ease, drawing cheers from the crowd.

[Zuiverloon’s been given a torrid time tonight, and Marco van Basten seems to have had enough as he is preparing his substitutes on the sidelines] Dirk said as Benjamin cut inside, curling a shot toward the far post. [And Benjamin’s not done yet—oh, what an effort!]

Clang!

The ball curled agonizingly wide, brushing the outside of the post. The home fans groaned collectively, some already celebrating before realizing it hadn’t gone in.

[He deserved a goal for that,] Martin said, shaking his head. [This boy from Haarlem is special]

Heerenveen tried to respond quickly by launching a counterattack through van den Berg. He picked out Mark Uth with a clever through ball, splitting the defense.

Mark Uth sprinted into the box with Reijnen on him as he closed in one-on-one with Alvarado.

[This is Heerenveen’s moment! Mark Uth’s through on goal!] Dirk shouted.

Mark Uth struck it low and hard after much struggle with Reijnen, aiming for the bottom corner.

Having woken up from his earlier slipup, Alvarado reacted brilliantly, stretching out a leg to deflect the shot wide.

[Alvarado with a massive save!] Martin roared. [Just when you thought Heerenveen might claw one back, he shuts the door]

The stadium erupted, the home fans cheering as if it were a goal. Alvarado’s teammates rushed to pat him on the back, recognizing the importance of the save.

[That’s the mark of a top keeper,] Dirk said. [He hasn’t had much to do, but when called upon, he’s delivered]

As the clock ticked past the 56th-minute mark, the energy in the stadium remained electric. AZ Alkmaar remained undeterred by Heerenveen’s occasional threats, and looked poised to add to their tally.

Benjamin, who was still running at full speed, exchanged a quick one-two with Henriksons and drove toward the 18-yard box once more.

[Benjamin again! Is there no end to this kid’s energy?] Martin exclaimed as the winger approached the edge of the 18-yard box.

Suddenly, Zomer stepped in, lunging with a desperate stretch of his leg to halt Benjamin’s momentum.

His boot clipped Benjamin’s ankle, sending the young winger sprawling just two yards outside the 18-yard box.

Fweeee!~

The referee’s whistle shrilled sharply, cutting through the collective gasp of the crowd.

[Oh, that’s a reckless challenge from Zomer!] Dirk shouted, leaning forward in the commentary box. [And Benjamin goes down in a heap—he’s been a nightmare for Heerenveen all night]

Benjamin lay on the ground, clutching his ankle, while his teammates gathered around him with some gesturing animatedly at the referee.

Zomer stood frozen on the spot, his hands immediately raised in apology as if trying to plead his innocence.

[You could see it coming,] Martin interjected. [Benjamin had him on skates, and Zomer just didn’t have the legs to keep up. That’s frustration boiling over]

The referee jogged to the scene with a stern expression as he reached for his pocket. The players surrounding him held their breath. Then, the yellow card flashed high into the night, quickly followed by the red.

[There it is! Zomer’s off!] Dirk exclaimed. [Second yellow card for the Heerenveen defender, and they’re down to ten men. He’ll be kicking himself for that one]