Chapter 654: Quarter-finals VI

Chapter 654: Quarter-finals VI



"That assist, that counterattack-it's the kind of play that inspires not just your teammates but everyone watching. You've stepped up like a seasoned veteran, and I couldn't be prouder of you. But remember, this isn't just your fight-it's ours, together."

Nanami's voice rose slightly as he addressed the team as a whole.

Normally, he wasn't like this. However, after witnessing their effort back on the pitch, he couldn't refrain from praising their efforts. Hence, he was a bit more talkative now than usual.

Even so, the players were drawn towards him.

Surprisingly, they could resonate with him today.

"You've all fought like warriors-every interception, every block, every sprint. I know it's tough, and I know they'll come at us even harder in the second half," Nanami swept his gaze, his piercing gaze full of determination.

"But let me ask you this: why not us? Why can't it be Japan shocking the world? We've got 45 minutes to make history. Forty-five minutes to show the world what we're capable of. Can you give me that?"

It was a rather intense speech, and the entire room was reverberating with Nanami's voice. The atmosphere inside the room had become dense.

The players nodded, the fire in their eyes reigniting. Nanami smiled faintly but resolutely. "Good. But remember, it's not about holding on to this lead. We play smart, we play bold. Don't give them the respect they don't deserve," Nanami nodded with satisfaction.

It was the kind of response he had been hoping to see.

Confirming their resolve, he couldn't help but feel confident.

Nanami drew in a deep breath, his lungs filled with passion. For some reason, he felt a pulsing sensation coursing through his body.

It was like an electrifying feeling. He felt a surge of energy coursing through his veins. "They may have bigger names, more experience, or flashier moves. But what they don't have is the heart and the drive of this team. This is our time. Let's go out there and finish what we started!"

Upon concluding, he slammed his fist into his palm, the sound reverberating in the silent

room.

The room erupted into cheers as the players rose, their doubts erased and replaced with an unshakable belief.

"YEAH! LET'S GET THEM GUYS. LET'S SHOW THEM...."

The electrifying atmosphere persisted for a while. With this, the players had found a newfound vigor. Their morale was at an all-time high.

However, Hiro caught upon their intention and positioned himself accordingly. To prevent the hard-earned lead from collapsing, Hiro was prepared to go to any lengths.

For a while, his adjusting to their pace seemed to be working as well.

With Hiro interrupting their momentum, the opposing side was finding it difficult to move the ball smoothly. Every time, they tried to advance, Hiro would come in their way and prevent them from advancing.

On the sideline, even after witnessing his plans crumbling before his eyes, Guardiola didn't seem bothered. With the usual calm, he intently followed the game with an unwavering

focus.

Perhaps, he had been anticipating this outcome from the beginning.

'Just like I anticipated, you're a quite sensitive boy. However, the very arsenal you possess would lead you to your doom,' Guardiola calmly analyzed the match.

Suddenly, Hiro's heart palpitated.

While he was adapting to their changing formation, the opponent began to build up. It didn't

take them long to gain momentum.

'What!?' Hiro's brows furrowed.

He had dropped out of his position to cover the vacant spaces. However, right now, the opposing team was charging from the spot he had previously left.

This outcome, he wasn't expecting.

Perhaps, he should have connected to his teammates before deciding to change his position. Due to their lack of coordination, now they were under siege.

Approximately ten minutes had passed since the match had resumed and it looked like their lead was already in jeopardy.

With swift passes and nimble sprints, the opposing side led the momentum. It didn't take them long to breach their defense.

And it took even less time to tie the score. With a perfect shot from Saka, England tied the score after about ten minutes since the start of the second half.

With that, the score was tied and their lead had vanished quicker than anybody had

anticipated.