6 Chapter 6:- The Rise of Kabir

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to today's exciting match. I'm Micheal, and joining me is my partner Jerry."

"Jerry, what are your thoughts on today's game? With Brennan's injury, many believed that Nottingham's chances of winning would be significantly diminished. However, based on their impressive performance in their last match, it seems like the current Nottingham squad is ready to give Leicester City a tough challenge. Who do you think will come out on top?"

"Well, Micheal, you know I've always been a loyal Leicester City fan. While I may be biased, I believe Leicester City will emerge victorious. They have been showing great form in their recent games."

Jerry's words didn't sit well with many Nottingham fans, and even some Bangladeshi fans watching from afar expressed their displeasure. Football was immensely popular in Bangladesh, especially during the World Cup. However, no Bangladeshi player had yet made a name for themselves in European football. During the World Cup, fans in Bangladesh passionately supported either Brazil or Argentina, often leading to spirited debates and, unfortunately, occasional violence between extreme fans. Brazil, with legends like Pele and Neymar, was widely adored, while Messi and Neymar had a significant following as well.

The streets would be adorned with flags of Argentina and Brazil during the World Cup, and people would gather to chant their chosen team's name. Whether it was among family, friends, colleagues, or even teachers, the World Cup sparked lively discussions and endless arguments. While Bangladesh may not have had a strong football culture, it was home to millions of football enthusiasts.

"Now, let's take a closer look at the formations of both teams. Nottingham will be sticking to their familiar 4-3-3 formation, while Leicester City has opted for a more defensive 5-3-2 setup."

[Nottingham Squad -

Micheal [GK]

Greenwood [CB], Sam [CB], Fin [RB], Luke [LB]

Ethan [LMF], Oliver [RMF], Kabir [CAM]

Arvin [RW] , Alex [LW], Will [CF]

Coach - Gareth

VS

Leicester City Squad -

Jakub [GK]

Tom [CB], Shane [LCB], Balley [LWB], Dennis [RCB], Connor [RWB]

Adam [DCM], Liam [M], Wanya [M]

Johnson [S], Terell [S]

Coach - Bale

__________

Gathered inside the locker room, the coach addressed the team with utmost seriousness, emphasizing the significance of the upcoming match. "Listen, everyone, today's game holds immense importance for us. With Kabir on our side, I truly believe that if we work together as a team, winning won't be an insurmountable challenge. As I always say, let's keep it simple. No need for flashy moves or showboating. Avoid excessive reliance on individual skills. If you don't find an opening, play it safe and pass the ball back. Focus on maintaining possession for as long as possible."

Coach Gareth's words resonated with the team, but Kabir, feeling a surge of confidence, raised his hand to speak up. "Coach, I have something to add," he said, his right hand lifted. Gareth, wearing a gentle smile, responded, well aware of Kabir's importance to the team's success. Others in the room couldn't help but notice the special treatment Kabir received from the coach, as if he were Gareth's own child. While some felt it was unfair, a single stern gaze from Gareth silenced any potential protests.

Curious, Gareth inquired, "What is it, Kabir?" He acknowledged the improvement in Kabir's stamina, evident during their recent training sessions. The young player seemed to be putting in more energy than ever before.

Kabir expressed his desire, saying, "Coach, I want to play the entire game. Lately, I've noticed a significant improvement in my endurance. I can run for longer periods now, and I feel confident that I can last the full 90 minutes." Kabir yearned to contribute more to the team's success by spending more time on the field.

Gareth pondered for a moment, recalling yesterday's training session and the energy Kabir had displayed. "Alright," he finally agreed, "but remember not to exhaust yourself excessively." Kabir nodded in understanding, eager to heed his coach's advice and make the most of his increased stamina.

-

-

The game commenced amidst a crowd of 5,000 fans, and the atmosphere was noticeably more intense compared to their previous match. Stepping onto the pitch, Kabir could sense the gravity of the situation. The determination on the faces of the opposing players was evident—they seemed willing to go to great lengths to prevent him from scoring. Nevertheless, Kabir was equally determined to succeed and was prepared to give his all.

With the piercing sound of the referee's whistle, the game officially began, and this time it was Nottingham who kicked off. The team had a simple plan in mind. Recognizing that Leicester City played defensively, their focus wasn't solely on launching attacks. Instead, the coach instructed them to maintain possession of the ball and patiently await opportunities, or create them when Kabir had a chance to shine.

As the game unfolded, a pivotal moment arrived. Kabir, with his exceptional skills, dribbled the ball forward, eyeing the Leicester City players closing in on him. To evade their advances, he swiftly passed the ball to left-wing Alex. However, upon receiving the ball, Alex found no clear openings. In the end, he passed it back to Kabir, who, in turn, directed it to right midfield (RMF) player Oliver. Simultaneously, the wingers, striker, and Kabir himself ventured deeper into the opponent's territory, eager to mount an offensive.

Oliver took control of the ball, dribbling it forward, only to be forcefully brought down by an opposing midfielder. Ethan's fall to the ground elicited protests from Kabir and his teammates, prompting the referee to blow the whistle. The referee awarded a free kick to Nottingham and brandished a yellow card to the player who committed the foul. While the opponent's team formed a defensive wall, the midfielders and winger huddled together to discuss who would take the free kick.

Will voiced his opinion, saying, "I'm not particularly adept at free kicks. Oliver, I think you should take it." The others agreed, acknowledging Oliver's superior skills in this area. However, Oliver glanced at Kabir and asked if he wanted to take the free kick. Kabir humbly declined, expressing the need for more practice before he could confidently step up to take free kicks. He aimed to enhance his free kick statistics by earning enough attribute points.

Stepping forward, Oliver prepared to take the free kick. Even a first-team player would consider scoring a goal from this distance nearly impossible. Instead of attempting a direct shot, Oliver cleverly passed the ball to Kabir, positioned at the center of the pitch. Kabir swiftly received the pass and embarked on a dynamic dribble forward, with two midfielders from the opposing team giving chase from the left and right sides. Luckily, their speed matched Kabir's pace, providing him with an exhilarating challenge. Uncharacteristically, Kabir persisted, maintaining his full speed while moving toward his target. This was a departure from his usual approach of quickly passing the ball to the wingers or striker after receiving it.

Within seconds, Kabir found himself inside the penalty arc, where the five defenders promptly retreated. Unfazed, Kabir continued his advance. As he faced the first center-back defender, he executed a skillful maneuver, using his right foot to circle the ball before pushing it to the defender's left with his left foot. This step-over move increased his speed by 30%, catching the defender off guard. A moment later, the defender realized that Kabir had expertly dribbled past him.

Continuing his sprint to the left, Kabir encountered another center-back defender standing tall like an imposing wall. This defender measured 6 feet 3 inches in height. Undeterred, Kabir once again performed step-overs, this time employing multiple feints that left the defender bewildered. Seizing this opportunity, Kabir swiftly pushed the ball deeper into the left side of the penalty box. As Kabir sped past the defender's left side, the realization of failure dawned on the defender, who desperately turned around in a bid to catch up with Kabir.

As Kabir skillfully eluded the second defender, the goalkeeper's nerves started to fray. He had witnessed Kabir pull off a similar feat against the goalkeeper of the Sunderland squad. Frantically, the goalkeeper sprinted towards Kabir. However, before the goalkeeper could reach him, Kabir unleashed a powerful shot to the right side of the net.

The collective breaths of Will, Arvin, Alex, and the entire audience seemed to be suspended in anticipation as they fixated their gaze on the ball. Even the coaches of both teams refrained from blinking, fearing they might miss a crucial moment of the game.

𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙤𝙢!!!!!!

As the ball nestled into the net on Jakub's right, a wave of frustration washed over him, evident by the biting of his lips and the forceful punch he delivered to the ground in anger. The defenders, who had been unable to halt Kabir's remarkable display, lowered their heads in shame, aware of their missed opportunity to prevent the goal.

In contrast, the once-raucous fans of Leicester City fell into an eerie silence, their voices hushed by the unexpected turn of events. On the other hand, the supporters of Nottingham erupted in unbridled excitement, their cheers reverberating throughout the stadium and causing it to tremble with their fervor.

Amidst the jubilation, Kabir sprinted towards the right corner of the pitch, raising his hands triumphantly in the air. In that exhilarating moment, he shared his celebration with the Nottingham fans, basking in their adoration and joining in their collective euphoria.

Arvin, Alex, and Will, wearing wide smiles that mirrored their elation, swiftly made their way toward Kabir. Each of them recognized that what Kabir had accomplished was beyond their own capabilities. Arvin, who regarded Kabir as a brother figure, took the lead and leaped into a joyous embrace, emitting ecstatic screams of delight. The others quickly followed suit, enveloping Kabir in a group hug that culminated in their collective descent to the ground. Every teammate present joined in the celebratory embrace, reveling in the momentous achievement.

With Kabir's goal, the likelihood of Leicester City securing a victory in this match had significantly diminished, amplifying the exuberance among the Nottingham players and their supporters.

"The ball finds the back of the net! In just the third minute of the game, the talented Bangladeshi player showcases his brilliance by skillfully dribbling past two of Leicester City's strongest defenders," exclaimed both Micheal and Jerry, their voices tinged with astonishment and awe. The spectators in the stands, including the Nottingham fans, couldn't help but agree with Jerry's comparison, acknowledging that the young player's style resembled that of a young Ronaldo, who also mesmerized with his skillful midfield play and masterful stepovers to outwit defenders.

Coach Gareth, overcome with jubilation, could no longer contain himself in his seat. He leaped to his feet, running and celebrating with the unbridled joy of a child who had just received the best news imaginable.

"Kabir has done it again! He has scored his second goal in his second match. These statistics are truly remarkable," Coach Gareth exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement. "Despite playing less than 50 minutes, Kabir has already contributed with three assists and two goals to his name."

Michael couldn't help but share his thoughts on the matter, voicing his belief that if Coach Gareth had not substituted Kabir in the previous match, Sunderland would have faced a humiliating defeat. "I can't shake the feeling, Micheal, that if Kabir had been on the field for the entire second half of the last match, Nottingham would have likely decimated Sunderland with a scoreline of 6-0, or perhaps even 7-0," Jerry expressed, his conviction evident in his words.

Inside the stadium, the crowd erupted in a frenzy as Kabir's goal rippled the net. Fans from both Nottingham and Leicester City were taken aback by the skill and determination displayed by the young Bangladeshi player. Let's witness the reactions and conversations of a few random generated fans:

Fan 1: (Nottingham fan, jumping up and down) Oh my goodness! Did you see that goal? Kabir is a genius! He dribbled past those defenders like they weren't even there!

Fan 2: (Leicester City fan, slightly disappointed) Ugh, we should've stopped him! Our defense needs to tighten up. But I have to admit, Kabir's goal was something else.

Fan 3: (Nottingham fan, clapping enthusiastically) Kabir! Kabir! What a talent! This is why I came to the stadium today. He's making us proud!

Fan 4: (Leicester City fan, shaking their head) We can't let this goal get to us. There's still plenty of time left. Our boys need to regroup and fight back!

Fan 5: (Nottingham fan, calling a friend) Hey, did you see that goal by Kabir? It was absolutely insane! I knew he had potential, but he's exceeding all expectations. We might have a star in the making!

Fan 6: (Leicester City fan, cheering sarcastically) Well, well, well, look who's stealing the show. Kabir may have scored, but our team won't back down. We'll bounce back stronger!

Meanwhile, fans watching the game on TV joined in the excitement and expressed their thoughts through social media and online platforms:

@SoccerFan123: Kabir's goal is a game-changer! What a talent he is! Nottingham is lucky to have him. #KabirMagic #U18Football

@SportsEnthusiast: Just witnessed Kabir's goal live, and I'm speechless! That was pure skill and determination. Future star alert! #U18Football #Kabir

@FootyFanatic: Kabir's goal has me on the edge of my seat! This kid is special. Can't wait to see what he accomplishes in the future. #U18Football #ExcitingTimes

The buzz surrounding Kabir's goal spread among the fans, both in the stadium and those watching from afar. Everyone acknowledged the exceptional talent and potential that Kabir possessed, and the anticipation for what he would do next grew exponentially.

-----------------

If you liked this chapter and want to read more then please vote this novel with more power stones.