Depths Forgotten IV

Lanier threw the bottle on the ground as he had nothing but pure rage under the current circumstances. They have limited their opponent's chances to a great extent, so much so that they rarely had any promising attacking plays that threatened their goal. But Le Havre has been punished, they had made one silly mistake at the back and their defensive efforts had been destroyed. Their lead evaporated into nothing as the score had become levelled once more. The score is now 1—1 after 23 minutes.

But in all honesty, both sides were poor in their own right, and the score was debated as not deserving and doesn't reflect the quality of chances created by both sides. You could even make an argument that the score is undeserving as the score really should be 0—0 when considering the chances created.

Kai could only dejectedly shake his head. Their lead evaporated but there's everything chance for them to get something from this match. There is still a minimum of 1-hour of football still to go. Anything could happen during this time.

The Le Havre team was shaken, but they recomposed themselves quickly, even if there was a clear leadership void in the team after Roys is not present on the pitch. It is at these moments that the benefits of a vocal presence like Gerald Roys are invaluable as he certainly kept the spirits high.

The game continued, both sides going full strength, using everything at their disposal to beat their opponents, aiming to carve out an opportunity for the likes of Pape and Leroy to convert them into some much-needed goals.

In the dugout, Lanier could see that Quevilly-Rouen is still playing the same way as before: compact mid/high block to win the ball back, then direct, long ball to their 4 attackers to continuously pour on the pressure on the Le Havre backline.

Marley gritted his teeth. Their side has set themselves up in a 5-at-the-back formation to hopefully cope with their opponent's direct style, but the native Hong Kong spectator realised that his tactical thinking is wrong, completely wrong. They have gotten 5 players to deal with the attack, but they have only dealt with the edge of the blade.

It is like fighting against a samurai, Why would you disarm his weapon when you should really be aiming to deal with the core of the danger. It is not the sword that is dangerous but the one who is wielding the sword. why should they put so much emphasis on all those attackers when they can stop the threat at its source.

"RIVERA...RIVERA! OVER HERE!"

The robust midfielder quickly made his way to the dugout as he finally realised coach Marley had been calling him ever since the restart. The midfielder was slightly shaken, as he was certain that his poor pass would undoubtedly come under his coach's scrutiny.

"Sorry... that was my..."

"What are you on about?" Marley was visibly confused as he heard the player start rambling on about some nonsense that he couldn't understand.

"Whatever... listen. You see that player there? Mark him till your legs give up. Don't let him have an inch of space." Marley eyed the midfielder sternly as he pointed at Maximilien Paternoster that is diligently carrying out his duties on his side of the pitch.

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As the play restarted following Marley's invaluable tactical instructions, Rivera had done as he is told, harassing Paternoster to no end as he limited the midfielder's influence in the game dramatically. Lanier had a sly smirk under his calm facade. 'Let's see how you will deal with this Quevilly-Rouen.' The only reason Lanier could confidently order Rivera to do such an extreme man-marking duty is that they have a midfield advantage over their opponents, being a 3vs2. And more importantly, their opponents rarely play the ball through the middle of the park but instead use long balls that go over their heads.

The effect was seemingly felt immediately as it was clear Paternoster had trouble finding the Quevilly-Rouen dangerous forwards as he wasn't allowed to have ample time and space to spot his runners. Rivera had already made a terrible mistake only minutes before, and this mistake had seemingly fired him up as he played the game with much more tenacity and ferociousness in his actions. The midfielder's presence suddenly illuminated as his fiery mood was transparent.

Paternoster received the ball from the centre-backs, but before he can even turn his body to scan up the pitch. Rivera was already on him as he felt the midfielder's unmistakable presence. The Italian player was giving Paternoster a field day, as Rivera wasn't shy in the least, sticking his leg right between Paternoster's as he made the situation as awkward as possible for the deep-lying midfielder, the general of Quevilly-Rouen's attacks.

Left with no choice, Paternoster played it safe as he laid it back to his centre-backs. 'That's right. Don't even think about playing those passes again.' The alarming threat was dealt with, and this calmed Kai to a certain extent as his inputs on the tactical battle on the pitch should turn the odds to his side.

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Only a few minutes after Quevilly-Rouen had levelled the score at 1—1, following a fantastic solo effort from Roussel as he dribbled past not 1, but 2 oppositional players before being tackled, the ball is given to Le Havre as the visiting team have a corner.

Already having one assist, and the goal scorer has the world to thank for Severin's brilliantly done free-kick, there was unanimous consent in the squad as they didn't hesitate to leave the corner for the Le Havre playmaker.

Sébastien: "Séverin had turned up today as he controlled the game from the midfield... and now a Le Havre corner, with none other than him to take it."

The Frenchman was feeling it, the usual stars weren't playing and they seemingly made Séverin shine more brightly than usual as the abnormal Chevalier isn't playing on the pitch. He carefully placed the ball near the corner flag as he eyed the box. It can be described as a hustle as the players jostle for better positioning. And following Leroy's goal, the defending team had smartened up as they left no players unmarked.

Séverin knew his previous trick won't work twice. People learn from their mistakes and trying to find the stealthy Leroy would certainly fail.

Understanding no tricks that be used, the midfielder unapologetically performed his run-up as he curved the ball into the box, aiming for no players in particular.

Sébastien: The cross has some height to it..."

Indeed it does as the cross has a lot more height to it than normal. It wasn't any abnormal movement on the cross, it wasn't spinning crazily with a lot of curve. Instead, the ball was tranquil as it slowly floated into the box.

Simon and Allard were at the near post, the two defenders jostling with the opponents as they fought for the aerial contest. The defenders watched as the ball came their way. And as it neared, both players leapt as high as possible as he wished their foreheads to make any contact to nod the ball into the back of the net.

But the defenders didn't even make a proper effort as they realised the cross was going to directly fly over their heads without a doubt. The cross wasn't meant for the near post, but the back post.

It was inevitable, the target was none other than Bernard Pape, but it wasn't going to be simple. The cross has no speed to it, so Quevilly-Rouen had plenty of time to realise who the intended recipient of the set piece is.

2 players surrounded the giant striker as they intended to head the ball away.

A physical confrontation between the players as Pape felt the immense force was directed towards him and he retaliated in the same fashion as he used his elbow to knock one of the defenders out.

While the players' tussle was on the field, the rest of the players stood around in bewilderment as not only Pape used his physical strength to solve the problem in front of him but has shined a slither of hope for everyone as they watch the 6ft 3 monstrosity leap in the air. He was head and shoulder above everyone as he had his eyes on nothing but the ball. Even the defender that was fighting him was nothing but an insect in his eyes as Pape used his forehead, bashing the ball as he redirected the course of the ball.

"IS THAT GOING IN?!"

It certainly looked so as the ball was heading towards the goalpost. The players were still getting set, and the players were still getting hit, but the giant striker's bravery paid off.

And you would be forgiven for thinking "Sébastien, why is the goal so far off?" But this is football, where you need to take it as it comes. The reason is simple, nobody was expecting such a skilful header. The ball crept to the goal as the Quevilly-Rouen wasn't going to let another goal against his way.

But the header was too close, far too close as the keeper barely had enough time to react before he realised he had gone the wrong way. The keeper was already diving in one way when he saw the ball going exactly where he wasn't expecting. There was nothing but dismay for Quevilly-Rouen as it seemed they still have an uphill battle.

But fate didn't turn their head away as the maiden of luck seemed favoured the home team more, sending an olive branch that no one had expected.

"BUT PAPE IS DENIED BY THE POST!"