Chapter 42: Us and them
[Sports Today Japan Studio]
' Hello Viewers and welcome to another segment of sports today here in Japan and the topic of discussion and analysis today will be the thrilling match that went on yesterday between Valencia Fc from Spain and our very own Yokohama F Marinos .
I am your host Itachi joined by one of the legends of the game here in Japan and its our very own Yuji Nakazawa '
"Thank you Itachi, I'm very glad to be on this segment" Yuji said with a curt nod
"Well we're also glad to have you here. Now yesterday was thrilling for anyone who was at the Nissan stadium "
"The pre-season saw Valencia FC face off against Yokohama F Marinos in a bout that saw the former win by 3 goals to 2. We had a lot to see from the visitors and also from some of our local players"
"One player in particular carried his team on his back and he goes by the name of Izan Miura Hernandéz. What do you have to say about this Yuji" Itachi said as the camera panned to Yuji.
"You know, I've seen talent but his is just glorious. I just recently found out that he wasn't even 16 years but the level of maturity that he plays with is just spectacular " Yuji said.
"The way he carries himself on the field and the way he just looks around for space and gaps. It reminds me of Sergio Busquets in that aspect but at the same time,Izan shows how deadly he is on the attack and it translated by how he scored 2 goals and made an assist"
Itachi smiled at Yuji before continuing
"At such a young age he already is an integral member of the Valencia team. I can't wait till he's mature"
"One youngster too in particular shined despite the few minutes given and its our very own Shuu who despite coming from the bench made an assist that brought the team back within contention. What are your thoughts? Itachi spoke.
"Well,Shuu also showed levels yesterday and proved he too was no fluke. His keen sense allowed him to spot and make the pass that lead to the goal".
Yuji sighed then continued " I just hope he doesn't get lazy or complacent due to the low intensity football in Japan. I really hope that Japanese football can change and I hope these young ones can do that "
" Okay then Yuji,what are your thoughts on the possibility of Izan playing for Japan. We all found out about him yesterday and it turns out his mother is Japanese meaninghe is eligibleto play for Japan" Itachi spoke.
"Well it'd be good for our country but I don't think Spain would be dumb enough to recognise such a talent if he proves his worth. So if there's a possibility he plays for us,then that would be tremendous but I wouldn't get my hopes up"
"Okay moving on.....
[Fitness Center]
"How bad is it?" Coach Baraja asked.
"Whats with the face Baraja. Its not that bad. All he needs is 'RICE'" the team doctor said.
Coach Baraja nodded looking at Izan who looked puzzled.
"What" he asked. "Sorry Coach but 'RICE'. I don't think rice has any magical healing properties" Izan said.
"Not rice, RICE" Coach Baraja said as if it would make any sense for Izan who didn't understand the term.
"Rest,Ice,Compression,Elevation " the doctor said after Izan stilled looked puzzled. Izan finally figured the meaning with an 'oooohhh' look on his face
"He might be able to play but I suggest you don't play him the next match" the specialist said.
"Okay doc" Coach Baraja said. Assistant Coach Moreno looked at Izan with a relieved face. "Thats great then" Moreno muttered.
The specialist called Baraja to talk after he was done inspecting Izan's injury.
"Don't play him too much eh. He's still growing. Manage him well" he said whiles walking away.
[Hotel]
"How was it man" pietro asked as soon as Izan got to the lobby where the players were chatting.
"Well he said its not that bad but I won't be able to play the next match " Izan replied with a dejected face.
Izan loved the thrill and the Adrenaline that rushed at him when he played the game he loved.
"Thats good then and also don't look dejected,what matters is that you're okay" Pietro said.
The other players heaved a sigh of relief after the heard Izan's words. "Oh my God,Pietro,is that really you" Izan said with a cheeky grin.
"It seemed you've finally grown up" Izan added drawing laughs from the other players.
"Y-,yo-,I'm looking out for you and yo-" Pietro struggled.
"Eei,eei, stop fumbling with words" Izan said. The players couldn't laughing at the funny interaction between the two.
"Well its good that you're okay" Jose Gaya,the team captain and Ace of Valencia said. Izan nodded and smiled at him.
The club was in an injury crisis already so if Izan got injured too then it'd be bad.
Without knowing,the other players had started to rely on Izan to come In clutch during the season.
"Well lets get some rest and we'll meet for dinner a bit later. Is that okay?" Coach Baraja said whiles scanning the faces of the players.
The players nodded and went to their rooms.
[3 days later]
[COMMENTATOR]
'Its been an exciting first half here at the todoroki stadium here in kanagawa and Kawasaki is leading Valencia by a goal as the score rests at 3-2.
The Valencia players have been sloppy but I can't blame them as they are playing with their reserve squad.
It was sudden but the Coach decided to not play a lot of the main force after what happens yesterday.
It seems he got cautious after his little magician got injured '
Izan sat on the bench looking at the reserve team get trolled. The two goals that Valencia got back were all as a result of penalties.
The first half ended with the same score and the players quickly went to their dressing rooms. The intermission passed quickly and soon the players were returning from the locker rooms.
The Valencia team had changed a bit of the lineup as 4 players had been substituted out.
Pietro,Andre Almeida,Mark and Hugo duro who were all on the bench had been subbed in for the other 4.
The referee quickly restarted the match as a soon as the players got into position and a notable change could be seen.
The difference was quickly noticed as Valencia started attacking more. The match became fast paced as both sides were trying to establish control over the game.
The passing routes seemed to have also changed to the wings.
The team which had the better and pacier wingers had the advantage and Valencia seemed to be thriving with this play.
Pietro sent the ball to the wings in the 64th minute after a mistimed tackle had granted his team a foul.
The Valencia player on the wing burst with sudden speed immediately after getting hold of the ball.
The defenders of Kawasaki frontale had a very had time chasing the wingers who had pace and at the same time quick footwork.
Izan looked on eagerly from the bench as his team had gotten a chance to equalise.
The winger raised his leg to send a cross and the Kawasaki defenders didn't dissapoint with as they reacted well and jumped.
Only downside was the cross was a low one which had now caught them offguard.
Pietro, who saw this quickly rushed towards the ball to potentially put the ball in the net.
He didn't have it easy though as one of the kawaski players had stuck to him. Using his peripheral vision,he had already spotted Hugo duro behind him and Pietro after he got to the ball,allowed it to pass through his legs.
The Kawasaki player who was not expecting this couldn't react in time as the ball slid to Hugo duro.
And being the prolific striker he was,Hugo duro didn't dissapoint and sent a roaring shot into the back of the net leaving the keeper with no chance.
The supporters of Valencia erupted into cheers in the stadium. Hugo duro immediately took the ball from the net and went to the kickoff spot.
"Well I guess thats it then" Izan thought as he pulled his hoodie to cover his face as he began to sleep.
The match became one-sided from there on as Valencia went on to score 2 more goals courtesy of Mark and Andre Almeida making the score 5-3.
The fans clapped for the players who had showed them such a goal-fested match.
The players quickly returned to their bus after the match as it was getting cold and the fans also followed suit to their various homes.
The night was long as Izan stared at the silver moon through the windows of the bus.
[The Following Morning]
"Ahhhh Miura, when will you be free. Mommy misses you" Komi said from the other side of the phone.
"I'll have 3 days off after pre-season mum. We can have fun then" Izan replied with a smile.
[Japanese] " Izan my boy, how are you doing" Izan heard his grandfather's voice from the background.
"Hello,hope you're well Granddad " Izan said.
"Well I'm fine,your grandmother is the problem,always nagging and- ouch"
"You see my boy, she just hit me, never marry fierce women okay" Izan's grandfather added before sounds of smacking could be heard over the call.
"Guess they're fine since they're this energetic" Izan said.
"Where's hori by the way" Izan asked his mom as his sister seemed absent.
"She found a few friends from the neighbouring houses and decided to go and explore with them" Komi said.
"Oh,okay. Well, I'll see you soon mum" Izan said ending the call.
Izan then proceeded to the conference room of the hotel which was being used by the team for tactical sessions.
Izan passed by a few of the hotel's staff and women who couldn't stop gawking at him. Izan really didn't look his age.
The women kept whispering and giggling whiles looking at him.
"His eyes are so beautiful". "Do you think I have a chance"
"Hey,you're no match for him"
"Do you think he has a girlfriend "
The last comment Izan heard brought Olivia to mind.
"Its been a while since I talked to her" Izan said whiles entering the conference room.
"Lets call her after this" Izan made a mental note.
Izan found a seat empty near Pietro but decided to stand. Pietro who saw this couldn't find words to say.
Jose Gaya signaled Izan to come sit in the empty seat besides him. Pietro sneakily stood up and kind them at the back.
"Can't escape my friend" pietro said scaring Gaya. Coach Baraja noticed this and spoke "would you like to lead this session Pietro".
"Sorry Coach" Pietro said quickly not wanting to be a clown again.
Coach Baraja stepped forward whiles scanning their faces after this before looking away.
He did so for a while before deciding to speak.
"Okay guys,its us and Tottenham hotspur "
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A/N :sorry guys been sick for a while. Anyway here's a chapter for you. Enjoy
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