Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 92: End-to-end Stuff 2

Chapter 92: End-to-end Stuff 2

The intensity only grew as Anzhi Makhachkala came roaring back.

Samuel Eto’o dropped deep to receive a pass from Diarra, shrugging off Elm’s challenge with ease.

With a quick turn, he threaded a pass through to Willian on the left flank, who surged towards the 18-yard box.

[Eto’o to Willian—this could be dangerous!] the lead commentator warned.

Marcellis closed in on him quickly and Willian immediately tried to curl a cross into the 18-yard, but his cross lacked elevation due to Marcellis’ tight marking.

The ball rolled across the 6-yard box, allowing the goalkeeper to make a comfortable save.

[That’s a wasted opportunity,] the co-commentator said, his tone tinged with disappointment. [Willian had time to pick his spot, but he didn’t get enough behind it]

AZ Alkmaar responded yet again, this time with Benjamin at the heart of the action.

Picking up the ball near the midfield, he danced past the two Anzhi Makhachkala midfielders, Shatov and Jucilei, with his quick feet and body feints.

[Benjamin is on the move again!] the lead commentator said, and the excitement starts to build.

The teenager drove forward to the 18-yard box, drawing defenders toward him to create space before slipping a short pass to Martens, who opened up on the edge of the box.

Without controlling the ball, Martens struck it first time, but his effort was blocked by the sprawling figure of Joao Carlos, who slid in from nowhere.

[Another chance for AZ Alkmaar!] the co-commentator said. [Benjamin is causing all sorts of problems, but credit to Joao Carlos for throwing himself in the way]

The game continued at a frenetic pace with both teams trading blows but unable to break the deadlock.

The supporters of both teams were on the edge of their seats, and every near miss from the players was met with gasps and groans of disappointment.

[It’s end-to-end stuff here,] the lead commentator summed up. [Chances for both sides, but still no goals. The question is, who will blink first?]

[Whoever it is,] the co-commentator added, [you get the feeling this game is about to explode]

Anzhi Makhachkala quickly regrouped, their midfield tightening up as Jucilei and Diarra dropped deeper to regain control.

Willian drifted into space on the left, receiving a quick pass and immediately turning to face Benjamin.

The young winger, undeterred, stuck to him, his positioning forcing Willian to turn back and recycle possession.

The home fans applauded Benjamin’s discipline, sensing how much the teenager was growing into the game.

[Look at Benjamin,] the co-commentator said, his tone filled with admiration. [He’s not just about flair going forward. That’s brilliant defensive work against someone as tricky as Willian]

The ball eventually found its way to Joao Carlos, who attempted a diagonal pass toward Zhirkov, but it was intercepted by Henriksen, who read the play perfectly.

[Henriksen’s awareness there is excellent,] the lead commentator pointed out. [He’s been quietly influential in the midfield for AZ Alkmaar tonight.]

Henriksen immediately pushed the ball forward. Spotting Benjamin in space on the left, he played a long ball towards him.

[Here he goes again!] the co-commentator exclaimed.

Henriksen’s pass sailed through the air, the crowd already on its feet as the ball found Benjamin near the touchline.

He cushioned the ball with his left foot, letting it roll gently into his stride as his marker, Ewerton, closed in fast.

[Here we go, Benjamin versus Ewerton,] the lead commentator said, the anticipation in his voice unmistakable.

The Brazilian defender squared up, lowering his center of gravity, and his eyes fixed on Benjamin’s every movement.

Benjamin slowed for a moment, allowing Ewerton to step closer. Then, with a slight feint to his left, he shifted the ball toward his right foot, teasing the defender into committing and buying the move]

[What’s he thinking here?] the co-commentator asked.

Benjamin’s next move came in a flash. He flicked the ball up with the inside of his right foot, letting it bounce once before catching it between both heels.

With a swift backward flick, the ball arched over Ewerton’s head.

[A Rainbow Flick! Oh my word!] the lead commentator shouted.

The crowd erupted as the ball soared over Ewerton, the defender spinning around to recover his balance.

But Benjamin was already past him, darting around the dazed defender and collecting the ball with ease on the other side.

[That’s outrageous! Benjamin just embarrassed Ewerton there,] the co-commentator said, almost laughing. [He’s playing with such confidence tonight]

Ewerton tried to recover, lunging toward Benjamin, but the youngster pushed the ball forward with a quick burst of pace, leaving the defender trailing in his wake.

[Listen to this crowd!] the lead commentator exclaimed. [They’re loving every second of this. What a moment from Benjamin!]

Benjamin surged forward, the ball glued to his feet as the roar of the crowd grew louder.

He looked up to pick out a target in the box when, out of nowhere, Lassana Diarra came sliding in at full force.

The impact was harsh, sending Benjamin tumbling through the air before crashing to the turf with a thud. His momentum carried him a few feet further as the ball skittered away toward the sideline.

Fweeeee!~

The referee’s whistle pierced the air, but it barely registered over the collective gasp from the crowd.

[Oh, that’s a crunching tackle!] the lead commentator shouted, his voice filled with shock.

[That’s reckless, absolutely reckless from Diarra,] the co-commentator added, his tone sharp. [He had no chance of winning the ball there]

Booooo!~

The home crowd erupted in fury, boos cascading down from the stands as they voiced their outrage on Diarra.

Fans in the front rows leapt to their feet, waving their arms and shouting at the referee.

On the sidelines, AZ Alkmaar manager Gertjan Verbeek stormed out of his technical area, yelling at the fourth official.

[Look at Gertjan Verbeek,] the lead commentator observed. [He’s livid, and you can’t blame him. Benjamin’s been their brightest spark tonight, and now he’s on the ground]

Across the field, Anzhi Makhachkala manager Guus Hiddink suppressed his glee with a calm facade as he stepped forward, gesturing for his players to keep calm.

Lassana Diarra stood over Benjamin with his hands raised in protest, as if to claim it was a fair challenge.

Meanwhile, Benjamin lay on the grass while clutching his shin. His face twisted in pain as the AZ Alkmaar medical team sprinted onto the pitch.