Chapter 75: Away Fans Leaving In Embarrassment

The camera panned toward the away end of the AFAS Stadion, where the Heerenveen supporters began rising from their seats.

Some shook their heads in frustration while others muttered angrily as they shuffled toward the exits.

[Well, look at this, Martin,] Dirk said, his tone laced with surprise. [A mass exodus from the away fans. They've seen enough]

[You can't blame them, can you?] Martin replied. [Five goals down in the 60th minute, ten men on the pitch, and Marco van Basten's team have barely laid a glove on AZ Alkmaar since the first half]

A close-up shot captured a father and son in Heerenveen jerseys making their way up the stairs. The boy's shoulders were slumped, and his scarf dangled lifelessly from his hand. Around them, more fans joined the slow, embarrassed departure.

[That's football, unfortunately,] Dirk said, almost sympathetically. [When your team's outplayed like this, you just want to get out of there]