Football System: Touchline God
Chapter 67: Final Matchday I

Chapter 67: Final Matchday I

The team bus pulled away from the Rising Stars training complex at 3:00 PM. Maddox sat in the front row, watching the countryside roll past the window. Two days of rest had done the players good. Their muscles were loose, their minds sharp.

Behind him, the squad was quiet. Some players wore headphones, others stared out the windows. The usual pre-match nerves were setting in.

Teddy Johnson sat across the aisle, studying his tactical notes. "Journey should take about two hours," he said quietly.

"Good. That gives us time to go through everything again."

The bus was comfortable. Leather seats, air conditioning, enough space for the entire squad. Markus Webb had spared no expense for away trips.

Maddox turned to look at his players. Jack Stones, the captain, sat with Finnley Mayers, discussing defensive positioning. Harvey Quinlan was reading a book. Zayn Carter had his eyes closed, visualizing his runs.

"How are they looking?" Teddy asked.

"Focused. That’s what I want to see."

David Frank opened his laptop in the seat behind them. "I’ve got the latest footage from Hastings’ last match. Want to review it?"

"Show me."

David angled the screen so both coaches could see. The video showed Hastings Coastal Academy in their 4-2-3-1 formation. Quick passing, aggressive pressing, dangerous on the counter-attack.

"Their striker is the key," David said. "Marcus Price. He’s scored in his last five matches."

Maddox watched Price’s movement. The striker was clever, always finding space between the center-backs. Jack Stones would need to be alert.

"What about their wingers?" Teddy asked.

"Fast but predictable. They like to cut inside and shoot. Our fullbacks need to force them wide."

The bus hit a bump in the road. Some players looked up, then returned to their preparations. Maddox liked their concentration.

His phone buzzed. A text from Elira.

"Good luck tonight. I’ll be watching on TV. You’ve got this!"

He smiled and typed back: "Thanks."

"The whole town is talking about the match. Everyone’s excited."

That added to the pressure. Maddox put his phone away and focused on the task ahead.

At 4:30 PM, they reached the outskirts of Nothencoastal City. The buildings grew taller, the traffic heavier. Signs for Hastings Coastal Academy’s stadium appeared on the roadside.

"There it is," Teddy said, pointing ahead.

The Coastal Arena stood like a fortress against the evening sky. Modern design, glass panels reflecting the sunlight. Capacity: 8,000. Not huge, but intimidating for a youth match.

The bus pulled into the visitors’ section of the parking lot. Security guards checked their credentials before waving them through.

"Everyone off," Maddox announced. "Grab your kit bags. We’re here to do a job."

The players filed off the bus, their boots clattering on the concrete. They looked around at the stadium with wide eyes. For some, this was the biggest venue they’d ever played at.

"Stay together," Jack Stones called out. "Follow the coach."

They walked through the players’ entrance. The corridor was narrow, painted in Hastings’ blue and white colors. Photos of former players lined the walls.

"Trying to intimidate us," Harvey Quinlan muttered.

"Let them try," Zayn Carter replied. "We’re not tourists."

The away dressing room was small but functional. Benches lined the walls, hooks for kit bags, a tactics board in the corner. Not luxury, but it would do.

"Right," Maddox said as the players settled in. "We’ve got an hour and fifteen minutes. First, I want to walk the pitch. Then we’ll have our final team talk."

The tunnel led directly onto the field. The grass was perfect, recently cut and watered. The goalposts gleamed white in the early evening light.

"Feels fast," Darnell Vickers said, testing the surface with his studs.

"Good for our passing game," Toby Kuipers added.

Maddox walked to the center circle, taking in the atmosphere. The stadium was already half full. Hastings supporters filled the home end, their songs echoing around the ground.

"Look at that crowd," Ethan Suleiman said nervously.

"They’re not playing," Jack Stones replied. "We are."

The Rising Stars section was smaller but vocal. Maybe 200 fans had made the journey. Maddox could see Markus Webb in the directors’ box, talking with officials.

"Fifteen minutes," Teddy announced. "Back to the dressing room."

The players jogged back down the tunnel. The noise from the crowd was getting louder. Kick-off was still two hours away, but the atmosphere was building.

In the dressing room, Maddox gathered his squad in a circle. This was it. The moment everything had been building toward.

"Listen up," he said. "We’ve prepared for this match all week. We know their weaknesses. We know our strengths."

Maddox looked around the room. Twenty-two young faces staring back at him. Some nervous, others excited. All determined.

"We’re going to press high," he continued. "Force them into mistakes. When we win the ball, attack quickly. No hesitation."

The team talk continued for another ten minutes. Formation details, individual instructions, final reminders. Maddox kept it simple. Too much information would confuse them.

"Questions?" he asked.

Silence. Good. They were focused.

"Right. Get changed. We warm up in thirty minutes."

The players began putting on their kit. The red and white of Northcastle Rising Stars. Clean shirts, fresh shorts, polished boots. They looked professional.

Maddox stepped outside with his coaching staff. The stadium was filling up quickly. The noise was getting louder.

"How do you feel?" Sophia asked.

"Nervous. But that’s normal."

"The players look ready," Mark Doughty added. "Freddie’s been solid in training. He’ll have a good game."

Maddox nodded. His goalkeeper was young but talented. The defense would need to protect him.

David Frank appeared with his final notes. "Hastings’ team sheet is in. No surprises. Their strongest eleven."

"Good. We prepared for this."

At 7:00 PM, the warm-up began. The players jogged onto the pitch in single file. The crowd noise hit them like a wall. Some looked shocked, others thrived on it.

"Keep it simple," Teddy shouted. "Light jogging first."

The warm-up routine was familiar. Jogging, stretching, passing drills, shooting practice. The players moved through it automatically, their nerves settling.

Maddox watched from the touchline. His players looked sharp. Their passing was crisp, their movement fluid. The preparation was paying off.

"They’re ready," he told himself.

The Hastings players emerged for their warm-up. Blue and white stripes, confident body language. They’d been here before. This was their home.

"Look at their striker," Teddy said. "Number 9. That’s Marcus Price."

Maddox studied the opposition’s key player. Tall, strong, good first touch. Exactly as David’s reports had described.

"Jack can handle him," he replied.

The warm-up ended. Both teams jogged back to their dressing rooms. Final preparations, last-minute instructions, the calm before the storm.

"Gentlemen," Maddox said as his players sat down. "In fifteen minutes, we walk out there together. As a team. As brothers."

The room was silent. Every player hung on his words.

"This is why we train. This is why we sacrifice. This is why we push ourselves every day."

Heads nodded around the room.

"Hastings think they’re better than us. They think their home crowd will intimidate us. They think we’re just another stepping stone."

"They’re wrong," Jack Stones said firmly.

"Exactly. We’re going to show them what Rising Stars are made of."

The players started to get pumped up. Energy filled the room.

"When we walk out there, I want you to look at their crowd. Look at their players. And remember—we belong here. We earned this."

"Yes, coach!" several players shouted.

"We press together. We defend together. We attack together. For ninety minutes, we are one unit."

The noise from the stadium was getting deafening. Kick-off was approaching.

"Are you ready?" Maddox asked.

"YES!" the entire squad roared.

"Then let’s go show them what we can do."

The players stood up as one. Kit adjusted, boots laced tight, minds focused. They formed a line behind Jack Stones.

"Remember the game plan," Maddox said quietly. "Trust your training. Trust each other."

The tunnel door opened. The referee appeared, checking both teams were ready.

"Let’s go, Rising Stars," Jack called out.

They walked into the tunnel together. The noise hit them immediately. 7,500 people singing, chanting, creating an atmosphere that would test every player.

Maddox followed his team, his heart pounding. This was it. The moment that would define his start at Rising Stars.

The pitch lights blazed ahead. The crowd roared. The match was about to begin.

In the tunnel, his players stood tall. No fear in their eyes. They were ready to fight.

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