From Arsenal to the Ball God

They sprinted all the way, neck and neck, returning to their own half at the fastest speed.

”Click, click!” Photographers at the sideline captured this moment. Even if they didn’t manage to overtake in score at the end, this photo still became the front-page image in many media reports after the match.

In the photo, Ma’el’s eyes were filled with the desire to win, his arms swung high, his strides were large, and his momentum was strong.

If someone adds the caption ’Pursuit of Excellence’, it could serve as a poster for an athletic brand.

”38 goals, 27 assists! After consecutively breaking the goals and assists records, Ma’el leads Sheffield United in the final championship charge!” —— Editor of the London Evening Paper

......

At the same time, a great battle at Queens Park Rangers’ home, Loftus Road Stadium, came to a close here.

The scoreboard at the sideline displayed the bright red score, one to two!

The home team is in front, the visiting team follows.

Queens Park Rangers lost a match at such a critical moment!

”Boo, boo, boo.....” The sounds of booing enveloped Loftus Road Stadium, like angry waves ready to drown all of Queens Park Rangers’ players.

”There are still two matches left, we will hold steady!”

The team’s head coach, Worlock, facing pressure, circled the field personally to explain to the fans and request support: ”Believe in us, everyone needs to stay united at this crucial moment, what we need is your cheering voices!

”I will make sure the championship trophy appears on this field, definitely! I promise you!!”

In the commentary booth, the Sky Sports commentator, after checking the scores of the other two matches, smiled slightly.

He adjusted his earphone and said, ”I don’t know if Worlock is lucky or unlucky, but their competitors Sheffield United and Norwich both drew in this round.

”Neither team has surpassed them, Sheffield United reached the joint top position, but in terms of goal difference, they are slightly ahead!

”There’s still a chance! Focus on the upcoming matches, a great season is about to end!”

Finished speaking, he took a deep breath, flipped through reports of the other two matches, and saw many campaign photos filled with a tense atmosphere.

Combining with today’s arena atmosphere, he could deeply feel the growing pressure on each team, and a bursting moment is about to arrive.

”First: Sheffield United, 97 points (goal difference 104/57). Second: Queens Park Rangers, 97 points (goal difference 82/46). Third: Norwich, 96 points (77/37).” —— Championship standings

Due to both teams having 97 points, Sheffield United’s news of topping the standings first did not receive much attention, nor did it make Sheffield United fans dare to celebrate prematurely.

Everyone is extremely nervous, awaiting their last two matches, suppressing emotions, and waiting for the final result.

......

April 30, Championship round 45.

The penultimate round of the season finally arrived, also this month’s last match.

After this round, the final clash will take place in early May, by then the season will end.

”Oh.....!!”

In Bramall Lane Stadium, the shouting was deafening, fans standing on seats, arms around each other, jumping crazily.

The stadium shook violently, like an earthquake striking, like a tsunami sweeping through!

”Goooaaalll.....!! Absolute....! Astonishing.....!! Ma’el scores his 39th goal of the season!!

”Sheffield United leads three to zero! They’re going to win this match, no surprises now!!”

Light rain sprinkled the pitch, under the glaring floodlights, raindrops could be clearly seen, looking down, the spotlight illuminates a figure sprinting towards the sideline.

He rushed past the advertising boards into the fan ranks, instantly causing a commotion.

”Ma’el!!”

”Great goal! Great goal!”

”We’ve won!”

”Push for the championship!!”

Nearby all fans leaned towards him, countless hands reached out, wanting to touch his body, everyone was wildly enthusiastic.

After the celebration ended, the game restarted, the main referee quickly blew the three long whistles marking the end: ”Beep! Beep! Beep—!!”

Victory gained!

Three to zero!

”Oh...! Oh....! Oh....!” Sheffield United players came to the sideline, stood in line, hands rhythmically up and down, shouting as they jumped, prompting fans in the fan area to dance to their rhythm.

They celebrated the victory exuberantly, celebrated the team breaking through the score of 100 points!

Before them, the Championship had never seen a team break a hundred before, it’s a new historic record!

”Ma’el!”

Gilbert stood beside Ma’el, could only shout with a smile due to the loud noise: ”Earlier you told me, you should ask me if the team could win the championship, now it seems like we really might have hope!”

Everything was like a dream, happening just like this, as long as they win the final round, they seem to really have a shot at the championship!

This was not even considered by Gilbert when he came, nor in the season’s middle.

He thinks Ma’el also only recently had these thoughts, and after this round ended, the desire for the championship reached its peak!

”Always had hope.”

Ma’el hooked his arm around his shoulder, jumping in celebration with him, ”Next round, aim for Queens Park Rangers!”

”Queens Park Rangers.”

Gilbert knew this is their final round opponent, he was deeply impressed by this team: ”Do you remember when you first arrived, you and I at the Cherry Street home, judging from the cheering at Bramall Lane who scored?

”That round’s opponent seemed to be Queens Park Rangers, but neither of us has played against them yet.”