From Arsenal to the Ball God

Chapter 45: Chapter 45: Fiery Event! Fiery Tension!

September 18, the seventh round of the Championship League began.

In this match, Sheffield United once again defended their home ground, facing Portsmouth from the southern coastal city.

This is a team with a rich history, having won the FA Cup two years ago. However, excessive spending on players has led the club into administration.

Most of those players have been poached by the top leagues, leaving behind a group of Championship-level players.

In a 45-year-old bar on Bar Street.

”Quick, help move the sign outside!”

At the pre-match press conference, Kedao’er confirmed that Ma’el would still start, and he hurriedly called for people to move the sign outside, while holding several small banners in hand.

These were just made a few days ago, consisting of signs and banners related to fan activities.

It clearly states that a table spending 200 pounds can receive a beautifully signed gift from Ma’el, or if you spend over 50 pounds in the bar, you can purchase a gift individually for 50 pounds.

Limited to 25 per week, the promotion lasts four weeks.

Actually, compared to Kedao’er’s investment, even if all these gifts are sold out, he might not make much profit.

But opening a bar mainly cultivates customer habits.

If through this promotion they can gather some fans who recognize their fan bar, then there will be long-term benefits.

”Honestly, I wanted to launch this during the last match.”

After finishing with the staff, Kedao’er looked at the new store with great anticipation and sighed: ”But somehow, back then I had a premonition that we might lose or be defeated badly in the home game against Scunthorpe.

”Didn’t expect the prediction to be quite accurate. Luckily I wasn’t hasty, or fan enthusiasm during the early stages of the promotion would’ve been low.”

An employee chuckled and turned to ask him, ”Does this mean you’re predicting Sheffield United will win today?”

”Winning is hard to say.”

Kedao’er shook his head, knowing the team’s condition this season, but there’s one thing he could be hopeful about, ”But I feel Ma’el might have a chance to score, maybe he’ll surprise us.”

Seeing the laughing expressions of the staff, he waved his hand and went inside, ”Don’t doubt an old man’s intuition; it’s more accurate than a woman’s sixth sense.”

”Hahaha....” This remark caused many to laugh, raising their heads.

Kedao’er hummed twice, sometimes the older you get, the more childlike you become. Upon entering the bar, he personally sat at the counter waiting for customers.

Soon, a few regulars came in, ordered some beer, and sat to wait for the match to start.

They asked a few questions about the promotion, but for now, seemed not very interested.

As the match was about to begin, some fans who couldn’t find tout tickets rushed to Bar Street, instantly making the street lively, with many noticing the promotion here.

”Let’s go in and have a look.”

”Ma’el’s autograph? Kids these days are really commercially minded, hahaha.”

”Sure, if he plays well today, I might consider buying one.”

Thinking that money spent anywhere could go towards participating in the event, many gradually took their seats inside.

Kedao’er was pleasantly surprised by the effectiveness, immediately welcoming everyone with a big smile, and several staff members got busy.

”Is it really Ma’el’s autograph?”

Some affluent fans who particularly liked Ma’el, upon entering, immediately took out money ready to purchase.

”No tricks here.”

Kedao’er opened his phone, clicked on Ma’el’s social media platform, letting them see the pinned advertisement message from Ma’el’s social media.

”I’ll take it!”

Many ordered 50 pounds worth of drinks and directly spent another 50 pounds to buy autographed gifts, choosing whether they wanted a scarf, hat, flask, or bottle.

At this moment, fans mostly chose scarves and hats with the club’s double-edged emblem.

The flask and bottle would be gone once used, not easy to carry, and felt less like collectibles when kept at home.

In this bustling atmosphere, the time for the match approached.

......

At Bramall Lane Stadium, by the center circle.

”You are a light in the dark....That there’s only the road down the dark....!!”

Listening to the singing of fans all around, Ma’el stared sharply at the opponent’s goal, with both the desire to score and to win reaching their peak.

He could feel a very strong power from the singing, seemingly emanating from the hearts of the people, inherited and promoted by generations of Sheffield fans.

At this moment, he deeply felt the strength of community football.

Clearly, they suffered a major defeat last time, and even he was so disappointed, seeing fans leave with dark faces made him feel powerless and guilty.

But when the new round of the league started, these people once again rallied and sat in the stands, using every means to cheer for the team, full of hope and expectation.

”Beep!!”

When the referee officially blew the whistle to start the match, he was the first to rush up, running towards the left side of the opponent’s defense, eagerly wanting to receive the ball.

He remembered the ad he helped Kedao’Er release before the game, thinking about those 4,000 pounds full of the warmth of palms.

These people must be paying close attention to his game today, right?

His first brand partner, he couldn’t ruin his own reputation.... He had to give it his all and use his influence as much as possible to help Kedao’Er’s bar attract some business.

And his influence must be demonstrated through goals and assists.

Although quite a few media outlets have already reported on him, the number of people paying attention isn’t large, with small-scale coverage everywhere.

He must use one spectacular moment after another to deepen his impression in the minds of the fans!

”Boom boom... boom!”

Following the team’s formation for a few minutes, touching the ball twice to warm up his feet, Ma’el wasn’t impatient, he was no longer the person he used to be.

After honing himself in a few professional games, his match experience has also improved significantly.

It’s like training a sharpshooter; besides having inherent talent and growth, one also needs a lot of bullets to shoot.

Playing more naturally leads to familiarity.

Ma’el never felt he could only rely on long shots and crossing to score goals; the playing time is there, and opportunities can arise from encounters.

And as long as opportunities arise, he could seize one-on-one chances or even head opportunities!

This is a kind of composure, an adaptation to the Championship League’s composure.

”Beep!”

In the twelfth minute of the match, while Gilbert was advancing with the ball in the middle, he was tripped by an opponent player, the referee blew the whistle indicating a foul.

But unexpectedly, the opponent’s midfield player Michael Brown suddenly bent down, his head close to Gilbert’s face, eyes fierce, ”Arsenal kid, if you think you’re so precious, go back to Arsenal!

”The Championship isn’t suitable for you or your companion, you’ll both waste away here.”

Saying this, he forcefully knocked his forehead against Gilbert’s head, then got up ready to leave.

”What did you say?!”

Gilbert, also a young guy, naturally had a temper, immediately got up, and quickly stepped up, ”You’re 33, right, always stuck here! You can only be envious of people like us, because you have nothing.”

”What?” Michael Brown swiftly turned back, glaring, leaning his forehead against Gilbert’s.

A classic confrontation on the football field!

The atmosphere on the field grew tense, and players from both sides quickly rushed over.

”What are you doing!”

Ma’el was the first to arrive, pushing Michael Brown away, the opposition on the field means no need for concessions.

Gilbert having a conflict, he had to step in for a rescue.

Feeling the heat around him, a fire ignited in his chest, dealing with this kind of football hooligan, you can’t just handle it according to regular logic.

”Beep beep beep!!” Seeing the situation about to spiral out of control, the referee blew the emergency whistle, sprinting over, standing between both sides.

Both sides thus stood in a standoff, pure football competition had been mixed with personal grievances.

”Boo boo.....!” The Sheffield United fans booed on-site, many threw their water bottles and debris onto the field, venting their dissatisfaction.

This is their home field, how is it the opponent’s player’s excuse for starting trouble?

”Isn’t this a direct red?”

On the sidelines, Garrispeed rushed out from the coaching bench, angrily heading towards the fourth official, ”He threatened our player and directly headbutted our player’s face, can’t you see?

”Tell him through the headset, quickly!”

The fourth official kept a cold face, avoiding eye contact with Garrispeed, and didn’t say anything through the headset.

A farce thus played out, quickly quelled by everyone’s gradually-awakening rationality.

After the referee showed a yellow card to both Ma’el and Michael Brown, the players from both sides gradually parted ways.

Only Michael Brown, feeling insulted, gritted his teeth and threatened as he was pulled away, ”You two lads better watch out!”

In a place unnoticed by him, Ma’el held the football, standing at the free-kick point, preparing to take the free-kick.

The team’s first free-kick taker is Janu, and he only received the corner kick duties two weeks ago.

But this time, he wants to take this kick.