Breath of The Interferer - Chapter 20
Only Noblemtl
#20 – Breath of the Interferer_Key – 1641512
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Notts County VS Arsenal
Tommy sat in the back seat, clutching his Notts County scarf in his hand. It was made of rough cloth over a hundred years ago, and half the paint had faded, so no one would have guessed it was a Notts County scarf.
Notts County, who faced Manchester City in the semi-finals, won 1-0 at home. Manchester City’s two goals were ruled out for one foul and one for offside, and Turner saved a penalty kick. It was fortunate for Notts County that the VAR is currently only used to judge whether a goal is in or out, and not for offside or penalty decisions.
Notts County lost 1-2 at Manchester City’s home, but Sven’s lucky goal in extra time allowed them to advance to the final. The ball that the keeper kicked hit Sven’s body and rolled into the goal. Manchester City players protested strongly that it was handling, but the referee did not overturn the goal. And in Kishin’s notebook that day, it was written as “32 dreams on January 24th.”
The league is now won if they win the first game in March or if Luton loses. If they lose all their remaining games and Luton win all their remaining games, they can be promoted to the third division as second place. Promotion has already been decided, and all Notts County fans are counting the days until the championship is confirmed. Tommy, who has only Notts County blood flowing through his body in less than half a year, is driving to Wembley, where the League Cup final is being held, in a car driven by his father.
A few hours before the game, Jackson went to Wembley Stadium, unable to resist Tommy’s torch. As the broadcaster was interviewing fans, Tommy, wearing a worn-out scarf, caught the eye of the cameraman. The reporter noticed the cameraman and asked Tommy for an interview.
“Looking at your uniform, you are a little Notts County fan. Let’s hear what Notts County fans think about this final.”
“Hello. First of all, I would like to congratulate Notts County on reaching the final. What is the name of the little fan?”
“I’m Tommy. I’m a 7th generation Notts County fan.”
“That’s great. So is that scarf around your neck a Notts County scarf?”
“Yes, it’s the scarf from when we won the FA Cup in 1894. It’s over a hundred years ago.”
The cameraman focused on Tommy’s scarf.
“Most football fans now think Notts County’s run to the final was a miracle. I’d like to hear Tommy’s thoughts as a seventh-generation Notts County fan.”
“Of course it is a miracle. God sent us an oriental sorcerer. His spell, which began in July last year, is still in effect. His spell is not an evil spell. It is a miraculous spell that unites the hearts of all of Notts County and brings victory.”
This phrase written in the article by Champ was so appealing to Tommy that he would recite it even while sleeping. The reporter was impressed when a child who looked to be about ten years old answered so coherently.
“So Tommy, did you get tickets for the finals today?”
“This is seat number 54 in section B. Can you show me on the stadium screen during the broadcast?”
“I’ll pass that on to the broadcaster. If you show enough passion, you might get caught on camera. Here’s hoping for another Notts County miracle today.”
The gates opened two hours before the game. Jackson and Tommy entered early and sang the cheering song with the Notts County fans. As the players from both teams took their places in their respective camps before the game, a large screen showed Tommy smiling brightly, holding an old scarf with more than half of the paint faded.
Kishin repeatedly made a resolution to himself as he looked at Tommy’s brightly smiling face. In his dreams, he had seen countless scenes where that bright smile turned into a face full of pain and despair, and tears flowed down his face. Kishin, who had skipped lunch and dinner, was currently on edge.
Kishin deployed a 4-5-1 formation. Nicky Brisley played as the left fullback and Peter Edwards played as the wingback. Antuy played as the right fullback and Tuttle played as the wingback. Tuttle’s defense is very important to stop Arsenal’s fast wing.
Three defensive midfielders, Gray, Terry Thompson and George Grande, appeared at the same time. Among them, Gray was in charge of marking the opponent’s key players, while Thompson and Grande helped with the central defense. Sven was in the attack.
Before the referee’s whistle blew, Turner held his hands tightly and prayed to his mother in heaven. Finding peace of mind after securing a starting position, Turner bought some drugs to help him quit drinking and sent them to his father. Before the game, his father called him in a sober state and apologized to Turner. He cried and said that he had already quit drinking for two weeks and that he would not appear in front of Turner until he completely stopped drinking.
‘Mother, please encourage me. Help my father to quit drinking. Ask the angel to make the witch doctor’s spell effective today as well.’
Arsenal is a team that scores goals by creating gaps with their speed and accurate passing. It’s not that I don’t know about this characteristic, but Arsenal, who are in good condition, can’t stop it even if they know it. However, as is the case every year, Arsenal were gifted with injuries on Boxing Day. Six players from the starting lineup and the bench were temporarily out due to injuries.
However, Notts County, a mere League 2 team, is not an opponent to be trifled with. There is no room for complacency, especially since this is the final with the trophy at stake. Kishin’s goal is to draw in extra time and win the penalty shootout.
Notts County conceded just two minutes into the game. Giroud’s header was parried by Turner, but Welbeck fired from close range. Turner’s effort to parry the ball back hit Ozil’s shin and rolled into the net.
Kishin spread his arms out and made a downward motion with his palms facing down. He was conveying his intention not to panic and to continue to focus on defense. However, Kishin could not maintain his composure when Sven went down with an injury just 13 minutes into the first half.
“It will take about a week to recover. The problem is that I can’t run right now.”
The spirit called out to the hunter who had just released his body and whispered softly.
“Hunter, we have to keep this a secret. The truth is, I’ve been locking you out. That’s why no matter how much you train, your shooting doesn’t improve. But the moment I release the lock, you’ll receive several times the effect of all the training you’ve been doing. Don’t be surprised if you suddenly become more accurate at shooting. Just remember one thing. Once you see where the goal is and where the keeper is, shoot immediately.”
“You’ve given this genius a hard time. So expect a hat-trick today.”
Kishin knows how to deal with children with excessive self-consciousness. He did the same when he tutored a second-year middle school student and when he was in the military, he was also the successor to the soldier of interest. If you say something plausible and give him a few words of praise, he will work hard on his own. Of course, it doesn’t last long, so it’s annoying that you have to repeat it often.
Hunter, who came into the game with high spirits, failed to attempt a single shot in the first half. Notts County had a total of three shots in the first half, with only one on target. However, thanks to Turner gritting his teeth and concentrating on defense, the first half ended with only one goal conceded.
“Director, please lift the spell on me.”
When Gray approached him stealthily and whispered in his ear, Kishin’s head started to hurt. When he looked at Hunter, Hunter shook his head fiercely. Perhaps it meant that he was only talking to Gray. Kishin nodded to Gray.
“In set-piece situations in the second half, always run towards the near post. And when heading the ball, aim for the far post.”
In fact, this is not the first time that Kishin has asked Gray. It is something he has emphasized in every training session. When Gray heads from the near post to the far post, his success rate is very high. Even if he misses the shot, he passes it. If he is at the far post, Gray, who is inexperienced, may lose the fight for position and not get a chance to head the ball, but at the near post, his chances of winning the heading competition are much higher.
“Okay, Director. You should have told me sooner.”
Gray is a bit autistic and only accepts what he likes. So he reacted as if he was hearing Kisin’s request for the first time. Kisin felt respect for the youth coaches and drew up a scenario in his head again. It is widely known that Arsenal lose focus after the 85th minute. So he must take advantage of that moment to score an equalizer.
But as soon as the second half started, Kishin’s plan was ruined. Gray scored the equalizer with a header from a corner kick. In such a case, there is a high probability that the Arsenal players will maintain their concentration until the end. However, Kishin’s expression turned somewhat strange as he could not help but be happy about the equalizer.
While Gray was doing the ceremony, Hunter approached.
“Director, I’m sorry. I thought you lied about the lock thing I told Gray earlier. Please don’t lock it again.”
Hunter missed several shooting opportunities in the first half because he was checking the goal and the goalkeeper’s positions, and failed to make a single shot. So he confided his worries to Gray, thinking that Kisin’s words were a lie. However, when Gray did as Kisin said and scored the equalizer, his faith returned.
In the 65th minute, Welbeck scored with his shoulder from an outside free kick. Notts County players strongly claimed that it was a hit on the arm, but the referee did not change the decision. Kishin was not sure whether to be happy that it went as planned or sad that they fell behind by one point again. Whether it was because he was nervous or because he had not eaten all day, Kishin’s emotions were very volatile.
In the 82nd minute, Hunter, who received the ball from Tuttle, looked up to see that the defender was 3 meters behind him and checked the goal and the goalkeeper. When the goalkeeper’s legs, which had been thrown out of the goal, looked unusually large, Hunter fired a powerful shot at the goalkeeper’s legs.
The ball brushed the keeper’s left hand but flew into the goal with little change in direction. With his teammates congratulating him, Hunter had an epiphany.
‘Your shooting has become really accurate. You were thinking about the calf, but your body is taking great shots on its own.’
Kishin is thinking about overtime, so he is not thinking about substitutions except for Sven who was replaced due to injury. He plans to make substitutions depending on the situation in the first half of overtime. However, Kishin soon regretted his decision. Two Arsenal players who came on as substitutes scored a goal in the 88th minute. The defender made a mistake due to lack of stamina, giving the opponent a chance.
Arsenal’s celebration lasted for almost two minutes and eventually the referee showed a warning. When the game resumed, Arsenal retreated. They thought they would only defend for three minutes since there were only three minutes of added time. However, Arsenal’s players paid the price for their complacency.
Hunter successfully scored with his shoulder after Tuttle’s early cross. The Arsenal players protested strongly, but the referee allowed the goal as it was exactly the same as Welbeck’s shoulder shot earlier. After finishing the celebration, Kishin called Hunter and Gray and gave them a secret instruction.
“When the game starts, Hunter, you just run forward. Gray, you somehow snatch the ball and pass it to Hunter. Hunter, when you receive the ball, you always shoot hard.”
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