From Arsenal to the Ball God

If Hull City’s aggressive play earlier was to seize the start, then after this goal, they have no choice but to go all out.

In such an important match, being scored against right at the beginning doesn’t break them, but it raises a strong sense of urgency within them.

Center forward Jay Simpson places the ball on the center circle arc line, waiting to restart the game.

”Clap clap!”

Captain Happa starts clapping, encouraging his teammates to stay motivated, ”It’s still early, keep going, don’t disappoint the fans who came to Sheffield right after Christmas!”

Hull City’s players glanced at the fans in the South Stand. The thousands of people forming the cheering squad showed no sign of blaming; they were still standing shoulder to shoulder, jumping and singing the team anthem.

This gave them strong morale, each secretly clenching their fists, vowing to play their best.

”Beep!”

The main referee blows the whistle to restart the match, Hull City’s center forward Jay Simpson kicks the ball back, and runs forward.

Sheffield United’s players enter the opponent’s half, applying pressure.

Hull City’s players have fan encouragement; they have fans too, plus that previous goal!

Psychologically, they are the dominant side, naturally not intimidated by the opponent’s resilience.

Just like that, the two highly motivated teams violently collide once more, fierce scrambles occurring in several parts of the field.

”Bang!” First, Ma’el in an attack knocks over Defender Gerrard who was defending him, then speeds past the chasing Midfield Kolon, causing the opponent to foul by pulling.

Afterward, in the central area, midfield players from both sides are tangled together, their actions extremely fierce, neither side retreating a step.

”Slash!” The young and impetuous Gilbert flies in with a slide tackle, knocking the ball away while also tripping the opposing player.

The football flies to the side, forming a fifty-fifty ball between Janu and the opposing midfield, the two seemingly having remarkable tacit understanding, simultaneously sliding in, both wanting to touch the ball first.

Consecutive slide tackles!

They kick the ball away, after their legs clash, they both let out a cry and lie on the ground.

But surprisingly, they’re not even the main characters on the pitch at this moment.

”I’ll get it!”

After the football flies to another side, Luton first secures the position, preparing to shield the ball with his body.

”Slash!” Another slide tackle comes, the opposing center forward Jay Simpson knocks him down along with the ball, the tension on the field reaches its peak at this moment.

Consecutively four people slide tackle, and four people lie on the ground!

”Beep!” The main referee finally blows the whistle for a foul, penalizing Hull City’s infraction, cooling down the match.

”Oops.....!!”

No one expected this move to arouse even stronger dissatisfaction among Hull City’s players and fans, countless people raised their hands to protest.

The main referee did not give them a chance to argue and turned away, running; it was a clever maneuver, officiating such a match was tough, he must protect himself at all times.

...

”Jay Simpson! Receives the ball at the flank position, he drives it towards the goal line!

”Jay! Pull back! Luton rushes to defend him, Jay!! Falls!!”

In the 39th minute of the match, a development occurs, Hull City’s center forward Simpson falls in the penalty area, countless Hull City players surround the referee’s vicinity.

”Fack!”

”Bullshit referee, blow the whistle already!”

”I will find out where you live!”

”Do you have a mom?”

This is near the Hull City traveling supporters’ area, many Hull City fans quickly stood up to pressure the referee, uttering dirty words, pointing, and spitting at the referee.

The referee considers for two seconds, slowly lifts the whistle to his mouth.

He hesitates slightly.....He did not clearly see if Luton had committed a foul action, but having lifted the whistle, he could not easily put it down again, so he grits his teeth and points to the penalty spot with his right finger: ”Beep!!”

”What’s happening!”

Garrispeed rushes from the sidelines, pointing at the referee’s back silhouette and roaring angrily, ”Diving! Are you blind?!”

Under the stress of the Boxing Day match, it’s hard to remain rational, the mouth inevitably carries a degree of aggression.

Thinking that amidst chaos, the referee might not hear, he dashes to the fourth official’s area, a move he made not just once or twice this season, ”Look at him, look at what rubbish he’s blowing?”

He is indignant, ”This isn’t the first time, just because our team often gets penalized with penalties, doesn’t mean we play dirty!”

The fourth official steps back two steps, avoiding him, vaguely aware that Simpson’s fall might have been exaggerated.

But the whistle has blown, he can’t mention it directly to Garrispeed, so he pretends not to notice.

”Penalty! The main referee has awarded a penalty!!”

At the commentator’s seats, Sky Sports’ commentator sits back down, watching closely the replay on the broadcast screen, ”Hull City gets a chance to change the score, causing Sheffield United everyone’s dis....”

Mid-sentence, his voice cuts off suddenly, upon resuming he speaks in a different tone, ”Luton didn’t kick Simpson…let’s watch again, kick out, fall down! This is undoubtedly a dive, Hull City luckily gets a penalty!

He’s wary of speaking too harshly, Hull City supporters may be watching the livestream, but his stance is clear.

On the pitch, Simpson bites his teeth, attempting not to show any expression, evading confrontation with Sheffield United players, firmly standing at the penalty spot.

Upon hearing the referee’s whistle, he swiftly runs forward, flicks his ankle, sending the ball to the bottom left corner.

”Swish!” Robert guessed the position right, unfortunately, the ball was too fast, failing to block.

The ball is in, Hull City’s penalty equalizes the score, at least not falling into a worse situation.

”Yeah.....!” This time, it’s their supporters’ turn to jubilate, thousands of cheers dominated Bramall Lane Stadium, and stirred strong frustration among home fans.

No matter how Simpson won the penalty, at this moment he has already become the team’s hero, dashing to the pitch side, roaring, sliding on his knees.

Sheffield United’s players watch their celebrations, holding a grudge internally.

The first half thus ends, one to one, both sides return to the same starting line.

...

”Beep!”

As soon as the second half began, Hull City executed the kickoff tactic they had discussed during halftime.

They simply passed back twice, then the center-back made a long pass to the left side.

High striker Stuart was already in position. He leaped high, flicking the ball with a header into Sheffield United’s penalty area. Captain Happa, who was ready, sprinted into the danger zone to collect the ball.

”Oh.....” The situation opened up. They completed the first step of this kickoff tactic, which was also the hardest step. The fans rose from their seats.

”Boom!”

With Happa’s sweeping cross in front of the goal, center forward Simpson, moving from the back to the front post, stabbed the ball into the net!

The ball is in again!

Two to one!

Hull City, with meticulous planning and excellent execution, made a killer opening in the second half!

”Yeah.....!”

Hearing the passionate sounds from the South Stand, Ma’el deeply closed his eyes, exhaled a long breath, and walked back to his own half.

In competitive sports, sometimes a lack of ethics and unscrupulous behavior does not necessarily bring negative impacts or doom to a team.

Look at Hull City, after winning a penalty through a dive, their away team almost instantly turned the tide.

Should I be like that?

Ma’el hesitated, thinking if in an important match, a simple dive would win him a championship trophy of great value, would he do it?

At such times, is it worth holding onto that probably worthless professional ethics?

Choosing personal nobility at the cost of sacrificing a team’s entire season’s effort, crushing the hopes of countless fans.

Or destroying the opponent to ensure success for yourself and closer teammates, bringing joy to the team and fans.

He couldn’t answer this question, perhaps he needed more time to think.

Or maybe.....

He doesn’t need to make this choice!

With a Skill Level panel, he represents unlimited potential, possibly reaching a new height in the future, paving a new path!

His career will be unlike anyone else’s.

”Yes, there’s no need to question your inner self on such matters.”

Ma’el’s heart broadened, and he gradually solidified his will and ethics, ”Improve the ability well, strive to solve all problems for the team with my strength!”

He started jogging and just caught sight of Simpson rushing near the home fans’ area, making a dart-throwing gesture.

This is undoubtedly a provocative move, likening Sheffield United to a dartboard, meaning he shot a dart and hit the bullseye, hurting Sheffield United.

Ma’el noted this and aimed to repay it.

...

”Communication on the field for Sheffield United has decreased, but it’s noticeable that they haven’t reduced intensity. On the contrary, they seem to be fighting a battle, players are aggressive, competing for every ball.

”Luton overlaps, Ma’el passes to him, and runs towards the flank!

”Luton sends a through ball, the ball returns to Ma’el’s feet, Ma’el, a low rolling cross! The speed is fast!!

”A clearance, not far enough!! Evans takes a shot, a push shot at the goal!!”

On the field, as Evans’ push shot firmly pinned the ball in the corner of the side net, restrained Sheffield United fans once again celebrated wildly.

”Yeah.....!” Snowflakes spun and fell in the air, landing on their heads, unable to cool their passion.

Dozens of team flags waved together, appearing particularly formidable in the falling snow, adding a layer of killing intent.

”Beautiful!! The ball is in!!!”

Sky Sports’ commentator now, too, seemed much more excited than before, he’s a neutral fan, but witnessing the injustice Sheffield United experienced, he naturally leaned emotionally towards them.

”Two to two! Sheffield United equalized in the 73rd minute! Both teams today have shown their fighting spirit.”

Scorer Evans didn’t celebrate, he ran straight to the goal, ready to grab the ball and return to the center circle.

Draw, not enough!

They need to strive for victory in the remaining time, crush the opponent!

Only then can they expel the pent-up frustration within.

His actions were quickly defined by the opposing players and fans as provocative and disrespectful.

Take the ball at a draw?

Think we’re easy prey?

Hull City’s goalkeeper Manone blocked his way, preventing him from taking the ball, and they started pushing inside the goal.

”Thinking of scoring again?”

Manone mocked him sarcastically, ”I guarantee this is the last one, don’t fantasize, I will catch all your shots.”

”Alright.”

A voice sounded from beside him, it was Ma’el coming to support Evans, he used his strong body to push the goalkeeper aside, grabbed the ball, and headed towards the center circle line, ”Hope you can live up to your words.”

”Beep!”

After the kickoff, Ma’el’s expression changed, his anger level had reached the threshold.

......

ps: Don’t worry, such lengthy matches won’t happen anymore.

It’s mainly to provide an account for this season, otherwise too dry. With my rapid updates and subsequent advancement, the Championship’s storyline will be over in a few days.

The process of having a beginning and an end also lays the groundwork for future plots, making this book more appealing and exciting later.

Give me some time, I promise I’ll provide an account for these plots later.

Perhaps just 500 monthly tickets today, and tomorrow I’ll add an update (this ps section doesn’t reach a chargeable amount, I’m not cheating you guys).