Football System: Touchline God-Chapter 68: Final Matchday II

The tunnel echoed with the sound of studs on concrete. Jack Stones led the Rising Stars forward, his captain’s armband bright against the red sleeve. Behind him, twenty-one teammates walked in silence.

The noise grew louder with each step. Drums pounded. Horns blared. The Hastings crowd was ready.

"This is it," Maddox whispered to Teddy as they followed the players.

The tunnel opened into blazing white light. The pitch stretched out before them, perfect green grass under the floodlights. The crowd hit them like a physical force.

[> "Welcome to the Coastal Arena!" <] The stadium announcer’s voice boomed over the speakers. [> "Tonight, Hastings Coastal Academy take on Northcastle Rising Stars in the final match of Youth League C!" <]

The home crowd erupted. Blue and white flags waved across the stands. The noise was deafening.

Both teams lined up in the center circle. The referee checked his watch. Nearly kick-off time.

[> "Ladies and gentlemen," the announcer continued, "presenting your starting elevens!" <]

The television commentary team settled into their booth high above the pitch.

[> "Good evening, I’m Michael Harrison alongside former youth coach Peter Walsh. What a spectacular evening we have here at the Coastal Arena!" <]

[> "Absolutely brilliant atmosphere, Michael. Both teams will be feeling this crowd tonight." <]

[> "Let’s look at the team sheets. Hastings Coastal Academy in their traditional 4-3-3 formation..." <]

The announcer’s voice echoed around the stadium as the Hastings players were introduced:

{> "In goal, number 1, James Mitchell!"

"Right-back, number 2, Dylan Foster!"

"Center-back and Captain, number 5, Tom Bradley!"

"Center-back, number 6, Alex Morgan!"

"Left-back, number 3, Ryan Clarke!"

"Central midfield, number 8, Ben Williams!"

"Central midfield, number 4, Jake Thompson!"

"Central midfield, number 10, Connor Davis!"

"Right wing, number 7, Nathan Price!"

"Left wing, number 11, Sam Rodriguez!"

"And up front, number 9, Marcus Price!"

The star striker, and the crowd’s favorite. <]

[> "Now for the visitors," <] the announcer continued. [> "Northcastle Rising Stars!" <]

The away section burst into song. Smaller but passionate.

[> "In goal, number 1, Freddie Booth!"

"Right-back, number 2, Ollie Pritchard!"

"Center-back, number 5, Will van Drunen!"

"Center-back and Captain, number 6, Jack Stones!"

"Left-back, number 3, Marcelo!"

"Central midfield, number 8, Harvey Quinlan!"

"Central midfield, number 4, Émile Fournier!"

"Attacking midfield, number 10, Ishaan Bhatt!"

"Right wing, number 7, Ethan Suleiman!"

"Left wing, number 11, Declan Whittaker!"

"And up front, number 9, Luis Navarro!" <]

[> "Interesting selection from both managers," <] Peter Walsh said in the commentary booth. [> "Hastings going with their usual 4-3-3, very attack-minded at home." <]

[> "And Rising Stars with a 4-2-3-1," <] Michael Harrison added. [> "They’ll look to control the midfield through Fournier and Quinlan." <]

The players shook hands with the officials. The referee gathered both captains.

"Clean game, lads," he said firmly. "Any nonsense and you’re off."

Jack Stones and Tom Bradley nodded. The tension was building.

The coin toss. Bradley called heads. It landed tails.

"We’ll kick off," Jack decided.

The players spread across the pitch. Rising Stars in their red and white, Hastings in blue and white stripes. The contrast was stark under the lights.

Luis Navarro stood over the ball at the center circle. Ishaan Bhatt beside him. The rest of the team took their positions.

[> "The atmosphere is electric here," <] Michael Harrison said. [> "7,500 packed in, most supporting the home side." <]

[> "Look at those Rising Stars players though," <] Peter Walsh replied. [> "No fear in their eyes. They’re up for this." <]

The referee checked his watch. Both linesmen were ready. The fourth official held up his board.

"Players ready?" the referee called.

Luis nodded. The ball sat perfectly on the center spot.

The referee raised his whistle to his lips. The stadium fell silent for a split second.

Fweeeee!~

Then came the sharp blast.

[> "AND WE’RE UNDERWAY!" <]

Luis touched the ball to Ishaan. The midfielder immediately played it back to Émile Fournier. The Frenchman looked up, surveying the pitch.

[> "Rising Stars starting patiently," <] Michael Harrison observed. [> "Keeping possession, feeling their way into the game." <]

Fournier played the ball wide to Marcelo. The Brazilian controlled it smoothly, then passed inside to Harvey Quinlan.

The home crowd grew restless. They wanted action.

"GET INTO THEM!" someone shouted from the stands.

Hastings pressed forward. Connor Davis advanced toward Harvey, looking to win the ball back quickly.

Harvey saw him coming. A quick touch to his left, then a pass to Will van Drunen. The Dutch defender was calm under pressure.

[> "Good early passing from the visitors," <] Peter Walsh noted. [> "They’re not being rushed by this atmosphere." <]

Van Drunen played the ball to Jack Stones. The captain looked up and saw Declan Whittaker making a run down the left wing.

The pass was perfect. Whittaker controlled it with his first touch, then drove forward.

The crowd noise rose. This was the first real attack.

[> "Whittaker advancing down the left," <] Michael Harrison said. [> "He’s got pace to burn." <]

Dylan Foster came across to challenge. The Hastings right-back was determined not to let Whittaker past.

Whittaker checked inside, then went outside. Foster matched him step for step.

[> "Good defending from Foster," <] Peter Walsh commented. [> "He’s not being fooled by the early tricks." <]

Whittaker played the ball back to Marcelo. The Brazilian looked for options. Luis Navarro was making a run into the 18-yard box.

The cross came in. High and dangerous. James Mitchell came off his line to claim it.

[> "Good goalkeeping," <] Michael Harrison said. [> "Mitchell commanding his area early." <]

The keeper rolled the ball out to Tom Bradley. The Hastings captain immediately looked to start an attack.

Bradley played the ball to Jake Thompson in midfield. The defensive midfielder turned and passed to Ben Williams.

[> "Hastings looking to hit back immediately," <] Peter Walsh observed. [> "They don’t want to give Rising Stars time to settle." <]

Williams drove forward. Harvey Quinlan came across to close him down. The two midfielders clashed in the center circle.

Williams was stronger. He held off Harvey and played the ball wide to Nathan Price on the right wing.

The crowd came alive. Their team was attacking.

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