From Arsenal to the Ball God

Chapter 31: Chapter 31: First Victory!

”The score is overturned! Sheffield United turns the situation around and takes the lead! A goal from Gilbert!

”Once again, it’s an assist from Ma’el! In this debut match, he accomplished an astonishing double assist! Such sharp breakthrough crossing ability makes one wonder, why was he only used by coach Kevin today?

”Let’s get to know these two Arsenal loan players again; after today, there will be two more young talents in British football!”

The Sky Sports commentator gave them high praise. Cherishing talent and loving talent are qualities many football enthusiasts possess.

No one dislikes young achievements, no one dislikes discovering budding stars.

People are very willing to follow these talented young players, grow with them through their perspectives, and experience the joy of nurturing talent.

The celebration at the corner flag area quickly gathered the Sheffield United team, surrounding the two goal heroes.

”You two kids, actually took care of this goal!”

Center forward Evans shook his head with a smile, looking incredulous, ”Who would believe that this is just your debut? Those who don’t know might think you’re the mainstays of Sheffield United!”

”A debut and being the backbone aren’t mutually exclusive.”

Janu, who followed up, spread out his hands and excitedly high-fived the two, ”Who said a debut can’t turn the tide?”

Another midfielder, Quinn, feeling somewhat self-deprecating, said after coming up, ”We old guys need to step it up, otherwise these two young stars will steal all the limelight.”

Ma’el and Gilbert were surrounded by praise and compliments, both smiling continually, feeling like they were the center of the world at that moment.

This is not naive; the heroic glory brought by scoring is unique.

Football is not just about scoring, the tactical battles and physical confrontations among high-level teams and players are very appealing and worth watching.

But no one can deny that the final result—scoring—is the best way to ignite passion!

”Keep going! Keep going!”

In the South Stand area, Sheffield United fans waved their hands, their emotions reaching a peak.

They shouted the names of Ma’el and Gilbert while cheering for the team.

”We need more goals! We want to take the first win of the season!”

”Kids, keep it up, defend the honor of ’The Blades’!”

”These two young men’s futures certainly aren’t limited to the Championship League, I say so!”

”Ma’el is impressive, Gilbert seems to have his own strengths and characteristics, they’re both very talented!”

”After today, their value is sure to skyrocket!”

”...”

They traveled far to an away game, their biggest hope being for the team to clinch a fantastic victory.

For this, they are willing to give everything they can, time, energy, passion, encouragement, and more.

Now, seeing that the team finally has hope of securing the first win of the season, how could they not be excited?

......

After this goal, the match restarted.

In the sixty-eighth minute, Ma’el gradually felt exhausted, with his body nearing its limit.

”Beep beep!”

The coaching staff quickly noticed this and substituted the team’s original main winger, Mark Yates, in place of Ma’el two minutes later.

This is a 27-year-old winger, in his prime, with a previously unshakeable position on the team.

If Ma’el’s performance today affected anyone negatively on the Sheffield team, it would be Mark Yates.

He was one of the few who didn’t get up to celebrate after the two goals just now.

”Keep it up.”

Ma’el, feeling content, encouraged Mark Yates as he left the field.

He is not afraid of competition, rather, he likes it. Humans are peculiar creatures; too much comfort will lead to a loss of upward motivation.

”Hmm.”

Mark Yates nodded slightly, his expression not looking good. He touched the turf and then charged onto the pitch.

As Ma’el walked off the field, he quickly realized someone handed him a sports drink and a dry towel. After thanking them, he turned and discovered it was Mr. Garrispeed.

It’s rare for the first assistant coach to do these trivial tasks, and the reason they did it might only be one—appreciation!

”Many players’ training performances significantly diminish on matchday.”

Garrispeed initiated the conversation, not hiding his fondness for and expectations of Ma’el, ”But not you. You’re calm and don’t hesitate because of a different environment.

”You perform in matches just like you do in training. This rarity is especially valuable when seen in young players.

”The coaching staff underestimated you, and so did others, even you might not have realized it.

”The abilities you possess now are enough to compete for the starting left winger position in any Championship team!”

He smiled, extending his right hand for a celebratory handshake, ”Ma’el, well done! I’m so glad I trusted Jorson then; otherwise, I would have lost a lot!”

”Thank you.”

Ma’el laughed heartily, expressing gratitude for his praise, and reached out his right hand to high-five him.

Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the team’s head coach, Kevin, who seemed uninterested in coming over, possibly indicating a lack of care for him?

Could it be... his appearance might have been Garrispeed’s idea?

”Jorson told me your greatest trait is long shots.”

Garrispeed, not usually much of a talker, became a bit verbose with a young talent like Ma’el, ”But today, you helped the team with skills that weren’t mentioned in the report.

”So, you must have some untapped potential?”

”Of course.”

Ma’el raised his eyebrows and joked, ”I will eventually become all-around.”

He picked up a towel, wiped his sweat, took a few sips of water, and sat back down on the bench with Garrispeed to rest.

”Oh...!” Just after sitting down, a cheer erupted from the South Stand in the stadium.

Janu, from the team’s midfield, pierced Cardiff City’s goal with a low shot from near the penalty area!

Three to one!

The victory is sealed!

Sheffield United players, in red and white stripes, sprinted to the left corner flag to celebrate, passing several stunned Cardiff City players, celebrating both the goal and the victory.

”Well done!”

Garrispeed stood up and clapped his hands; the first three points of the new season were in hand.

”That’s awesome.”

Ma’el, sitting beside him, admired and dreamed, ”If I get a chance in the next game, I must score a long shot first.”

”I believe in you.”

Garrispeed patted his shoulder, joking, ”Before becoming all-around, first experience how great it feels to score.”

”I will.”

Ma’el shrugged, sat back down, and began calculating what he had gained from this match.

Aside from match experience and exposure, his two assists brought him a post-tax bonus of £3,000.

”Adding the appearance and three points, it’s a total of £6,000, equivalent to four weeks’ post-tax salary.”

Ma’el swallowed, no wonder Qin soldiers longed for conquest; earning battle merits is indeed more tempting than earning a fixed salary...

Having experienced poverty, he is certainly not indifferent to wealth. On the contrary, he sees wealth as the greatest source of security and freedom, and as a reflection of his overall value.

”I must play more matches, get more stats.”

A fiery determination appeared in his eyes, making it clear he should fight for more chances from every angle.

”Beep! Beep! Beep—!!” At this moment, the referee’s three long whistles sounded, signaling the end of the match.

Ma’el snapped back to reality, quickly ran out of the bench, and raised his hands high as he rushed onto the field, heading towards where Gilbert was.

”Sheffield United...! Sheffield United...!!”

Amid the excited cheers of the entire stadium, the two high-fived and began to run along the fan zone, enjoying this unforgettable moment.

Debut, first win, first stats!

They couldn’t think of anything more beautiful at the moment.