章節 35: Chapter 35: The Three Lions

The Reborn Footballer IF is available guys at

https://therebornfootballer.blogspot.com/

**********************************************************************************

With the sting of their loss to France still fresh, England U-17 faced a formidable challenge in their next match against the Netherlands U-17. The Dutch squad, renowned for their technical prowess and tactical discipline, had a roster filled with future superstars such as Memphis Depay, Jetro Willems, and Nathan Ake. They were the team to beat, having already established themselves as strong contenders in the tournament.

Scrimmage and Preparation

England's training sessions were intense and focused. Daniel, still burning with determination after the defeat, trained harder than ever. However, Coach John Peacock was quick to remind him, "Train smart, Daniel, not just hard. We need you at your best tomorrow."

The team knew the importance of this match. Media outlets buzzed with anticipation, drawing comparisons between the young talents on both sides. Headlines read: "England vs. Netherlands: Future Stars on Display," "Daniel Arrazi vs. Memphis Depay: The Battle of the Prodigies," and "A Clash of Titans at the U-17 European Championship."

Pre-Match Interviews

Before the match, Daniel faced the press with a calm demeanor. "We respect the Netherlands; they have a fantastic team," he said. "But we're prepared. We're focused. We know what we need to do."

Memphis Depay, in a separate interview, exuded confidence. "England is a strong team, but we've studied their game. We're ready to show our quality on the pitch."

Match Day: Serbia National Stadium

The atmosphere at the Serbia National Stadium was electric, with fans filling the stands and waving flags. The anticipation was palpable as England donned their iconic white kit while the Netherlands wore their vibrant orange kit.

England's Lineup

England lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation:

Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford

Defenders: Brad Smith, Nathaniel Chalobah, Jordan Cousins, Sam Magri

Midfielders: Nathan Redmond, Blair Turgott

Attacking Midfielders: Raheem Sterling, Daniel Arrazi, Hallam Hope

Striker: Adam MorganNetherlands' Lineup

The Netherlands opted for a 4-4-2 setup:

Goalkeeper: Boy de Jong

Defenders: Nathan Ake, Jetro Willems, Terence Kongolo, Karim Rekik

Midfielders: Joris van Overeem, Anass Achahbar, Tonny Vilhena, Danzell Gravenberch

Strikers: Memphis Depay, Nick de Bondt

First Half

The match kicked off with both teams displaying their intent early on. The Netherlands, true to their style, controlled possession and looked to exploit spaces with their quick passing and movement. England, on the other hand, focused on maintaining a solid defensive shape and hitting back on the counter.

In the 20th minute, the Netherlands struck first. Memphis Depay received the ball on the edge of the box, dribbled past a defender, and unleashed a powerful shot into the top corner. Pickford had no chance. 1-0 to the Netherlands.

Daniel Arrazi, not one to back down, responded with equal vigor. Just ten minutes later, he found himself in a pocket of space just outside the Dutch penalty area. With a deft touch, he maneuvered past Ake and unleashed a low, driven shot into the bottom corner. The stadium erupted as the ball hit the back of the net. 1-1.

Halftime Dialog

As the teams walked off the pitch for halftime, Memphis approached Daniel. "Nice goal, Arrazi. But don't think we'll let you score again so easily."

Daniel, catching his breath, grinned. "We'll see about that, Depay. This game is far from over."

Second Half

The second half began with renewed intensity. England, buoyed by Daniel's goal, pressed forward with more confidence. In the 55th minute, England won a free-kick just outside the box. Daniel stepped up, eyes focused on the target. He struck the ball with precision, sending it curling over the wall and into the top corner. 2-1 to England. The crowd erupted once more, and Daniel was swarmed by his teammates.

However, the Netherlands were not done. In the 70th minute, Depay and van Overeem combined in a beautiful one-two, slicing through England's defense. Depay coolly finished the move, equalizing for the Netherlands. 2-2.

The Decisive Moment

As the clock ticked into stoppage time, the tension was palpable. In the 92nd minute, Raheem Sterling made a daring run into the box and was brought down by a clumsy challenge from Willems. The referee pointed to the spot. Penalty for England.

Sterling picked up the ball, but then turned to Daniel. "You take it," he said, handing him the ball. "I trust you."

Daniel nodded, feeling the weight of the moment. He placed the ball on the spot, took a deep breath, and struck it firmly into the bottom corner. 3-2 to England. The stadium erupted, and Daniel was mobbed by his teammates.

Post-Match Reaction

The final whistle blew, sealing a 3-2 victory for England. The players celebrated wildly, knowing they had just secured a spot in the final against France. Daniel, who had scored a hat-trick, was hailed as the hero of the match.

Media Interviews

In the post-match interview, Daniel Arrazi was named Man of the Match. "Everyone was incredible today," he said. "We played as a team, and it paid off. We're ready for France.It is about time to strikes back"

Daniel, still catching his breath, continued. "This was a tough game, but we showed our character. We knew we had to dig deep, and we did. Now, we're focused on the final."

The World Takes Notice

The world took notice of Daniel's performance. Headlines around the globe praised his hat-trick and match-winning penalty. "England's Prodigy: Arrazi Leads U-17s to Final," read one. "Daniel Arrazi: The Next Big Thing in Football," proclaimed another.

Preparing for the Final

As England's U-17 squad celebrated their hard-fought victory, their thoughts quickly turned to the upcoming final against France. They knew it would be their toughest challenge yet, but with the momentum and confidence from their win over the Netherlands, they felt ready to take on any opponent.

For Daniel, the journey was far from over. He had proven his worth on the international stage, but now he faced the ultimate test: leading his team to glory in the U-17 European Championship final. With his teammates by his side and the support of their fans, Daniel knew they could achieve greatness.

**********************************************************************************

The Reborn Footballer IF is available guys at

https://therebornfootballer.blogspot.com/