Chapter 276 Magical Touches I
Rosenborg 0: Molde Fotballklubb 1
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Kristin sighed despite herself after taking a glance at the stadium's jumbotron. She was a bundle of nerves since she couldn't come to terms with the quick change of the situation on the field of play. Her team had been dominating proceedings, unleashing relentless waves of attacks on Molde's box from the very first minute. However, out of the blue, the opponents had obtained a single opportunity late in the first half and converted it. As a result, team Molde was leading 1:0, with just four minutes remaining to half time. It was really a bummer.
"Well, that was unexpected," Kristin heard Kjell Roar, the commentator, yell out loud after the goal celebrations. "Fredrik Gulbrandsen, Molde's center-forward, has managed to put the ball into the back of the net with a single attempt on goal. It's now Rosenborg 0, and Molde 1. Ulrich! What's your take on the match so far?"
"Well," Ulrich Møller, one of the pundits for the day, said. "Even as a Molde supporter, I still have to commend Rosenborg's efforts during the first half. The Rosenborg players have been phenomenal from the first minute in this final. They have been brilliant on all fronts, whether defensively or moving forward, and managed to create a lot of half-chances."
"However, football is a game that requires results, not half-chances," the pundit continued. "In this aspect, it's team Molde that has been the better team since Ole's men have managed to draw first blood in this highly contested final. With a single counter-attack, they have put one past Rosenborg. They're now in a very advantageous position to win the Norwegian Cup final. That's the importance of results."
"Thanks for your input, Ulrich," Kjell Roar chipped in. "What about you, Sigurd? What's your take on the match? Do you see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men holding on and going on to win this final?"
"Absolutely not," Sigurd Rushfeldt, the other pundit, was quick to reply in a confident tone. "The situation on the pitch is clear as day. The Troll Kids have outplayed Ole's men from the very first minute by showing class and character whenever they're on the ball. They've been so focused that we can literally feel their hunger for goals as they move the ball around the pitch. So, I believe we'll see a goal from one of the Rosenborg attackers in a few minutes at most."
"You're that confident!" Ulrich, the other pundit, chimed in.
"Of course, I'm confident," Sigurd replied. "You guys should not forget that Rosenborg's attacking force includes Zachary, Nicki, Tobias, and John Chibuike. Those guys will not go down that easily. They will most likely put two goals in the back of the net before we get to hear the final whistle. So, unless Ole's men can score three or more goals and defend like never before, I don't see them having a chance to win this final."
"Hehehe!" Kjell Roar chuckled. "Thanks for your input, Sigurd. But for now, let's get back to the action on the pitch. The match has just restarted after the goal celebrations. However, team Rosenborg has already won a throw-in close to the center-line on the left flank."
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Zachary was very focused as he watched Mikael Dorsin, Rosenborg's left-back, prepare to take the throw-in on the left flank. His mind was calm despite his team, Rosenborg, trailing Molde by a goal to nil. Not even the loud cheers of the Molde fans could disturb his state of mind at that moment since he was confident in his team's abilities. He was sure Rosenborg would get back on level terms sooner rather than later. As long as his teammates put in a little more effort, they would be able to put the ball in the back of the net in the following few minutes.
*FWEEEEEEE*
The referee blew the whistle at that moment and signaled for Mikael Dorsin to take the throw-in quickly. Mikael didn't dare to dilly-dally any longer. He made a short run towards the touchline as he readied himself to make a two-handed throw into the pitch.
"Mikael, here!"
Zachary shouted and moved like a thunderclap on seeing Mikael make it to the touchline. With the agility of a wild cat, he stepped away from Emmanuel Ekpo, the Molde midfielder that had been marking him for a large part of the first half. In a matter of seconds, he was rushing into space—towards the touchline while anticipating the throw-in ball from Mikael.
Mikael Dorsin, the veteran Rosenborg player, didn't disappoint. The left-back reacted quickly and threw the ball into the path of Zachary just as he'd stepped away from his mark.
"Brilliant!"
Zachary couldn't help but smile as he received the well-timed throw-in. He didn't lose a moment as he leaped high and chested the ball down to the green while also taking a moment to assess the situation around him with his peripheral vision.
A slight shudder ran along his spine when he noticed Emmanuel Ekpo, one of Molde's defensive midfielders, closing in on him quickly like a raging bull. However, he suppressed the discomfort the next instant and flicked the ball to his left boot, further away from the opponent. He remained patient and calm for a few seconds until the approaching Emmanuel Ekpo was just a meter away from his position before taking further action.
No-look pass!
While looking the other way, he flicked the ball back to Mikael Dorsin on the touchline before rushing past the approaching Emmanuel Ekpo like the embodiment of speed itself. He then received a return pass from Mikael and was soon on his way towards Molde's half like a whirlwind.
However, he had to slow down a moment later since he realized he was just about to run into yet another Molde player. It was Magne Hoseth, the other holding midfielder, barring his path towards the other side of the pitch that time around.
Zachary didn't bother to rush past the midfielder since he knew that would be unwise. He'd already taken in the situation ahead and noticed that several Molde players had already packed themselves before their defensive third. So, even if he managed to beat the opponent before him, he would just run into another and end up losing the ball before threatening Molde's defense.
So, he flicked the ball to his right, pushing it towards the middle of the pitch with a couple of deft touches to step further away from the approaching opponent. He then showcased his skills as a true Maestro and unleashed a long-range raking pass towards the right-wing with the outer area of his boot. Before the approaching Magne Hoseth could close him down, he'd already sent the ball flying towards Tobias Mikkelsen like a laser-guided missile.
