The Rise of the Iron Wall!-Chapter 52: The Great Wall Operation!

In contrast with the lively scene on Hakodate Nishi’s side, all the Ritsumeikan players were still dumbfounded. Some were even confused here, couldn’t comprehend what was going on in this game.

Just a moment ago, they were so close to opening the game with a goal, and now, it was they who conceded here? From a free kick, nevertheless? Is this real?

"Hey, hey, hey! No need to be so depressed like that!" Takuro Iwai, the team’s star and also one of the senior members here, clapped loudly, trying to encourage his teammates. "It is just one goal, and they caught us off guard here! It is not like we have never been in this situation, right? Remember our team’s philosophy?"

The team’s captain, the midfielder with jersey number 8, nodded in agreement. "Yeah! What if they were able to score first? Even if the opponent scores 99 goals, as long as we can outdo them with 100, we will be able to win! In football, offense is the king!" 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

It was an extreme philosophy even in modern football, one that was being tested by the so-called ’best defensive team in Hokkaido’. When the captain reminded them of this, though, all the confusion was gone instantly, replaced by burning spirit and determination from each one of them.

"Yeah, so what if they could score one?! Let’s return the favor tenfold!"

"I want to score next!"

"Hell, no! I was the one who got denied a goal before, it should be me first!"

Seeing the scene turned vibrant again, Iwai couldn’t help but laugh, finding his teammates to be adorable. However, his mind was also running so fast right now, trying to find what he should do next.

’We were able to score four goals against Sappotani, so I don’t believe that we cannot do the same against the team that was beaten 7-0 by them in the final.’ He clenched his fist in determination.

As for the fact that they lost even worse, 8-0, in a sparing game a month ago, Iwai selectively forgot about that, finding that particular game to not have any good points as a reference. For now, his mind was completely on the game, eager to wreak havoc on the Hakodate Nishi’s high.

’Now, let me see how the best defensive team will handle us here... Please, don’t disappoint me...’

-0-

Well, what could people say here?

Sometimes, what someone said, even though it was inside their heart, could become a reality, no matter how ridiculous or harsh it was. The same thing also happened for Iwai here, as he found himself far from being disappointed by Hakodate Nishi’s defense.

Hell, if anything, he would pay a good amount of money to tear all the Hakodate Nishi’s layers of defense in front of him.

"Come on, Ishinori-kun! Chase him! Corner him to the edge!"

"No! Go back to your area! Let Usami handle it!"

"Hori, how many times do I have to tell you not rush?! Fuck!"

Brugh!

"BALL!"

"FOUL!"

Thirty minutes had passed since the goal happened, and this was probably the sixth collision already that involved Iwai. It seemed that Hakodate Nishi made it their mission to suffocate him to death, not allowing him to even have a room to breathe and create.

This time, in the right flank, the boy had to dodge a dangerous tackle from Hakodate Nishi’s number 6. It was a pity, though, since he was just able to get through the opponent’s right back. However, safety was the number one priority here, as he didn’t want to get injured when the game was still young.

Fortunately, this time, the referee was on his side. Even though the number 6—Fujinaga, if Iwai remembered correctly—tried to argue that he got the ball, it didn’t diminish the fact that the tackle was dangerous here. So, the home team’s defensive midfielder had already had one yellow card on the book, and he had to be careful for the rest of the game.

Meanwhile, Iwai also rose from the ground, wiping away all the dust on his body quickly. His captain, a midfielder named Tsuyoshi, approached him quickly, asking with a tone full of concern.

"You okay? This is insane! They are trying to kill you here! The referee is far too lenient! I will complain!"

"No need, Tsuyoshi-kun," Iwai shook his head quickly. "Even though they are rough, none of them are aimed at injuring me. They always aimed at the ball, and the referee knows it too. That’s why, only three of them have been called up until now."

Indeed, even though at first, Iwai was skeptical of Hakodate Nishi’s nickname, he was gradually impressed with how the home team implemented their defensive strategy to stop him.

It wasn’t like Sappotani, who was able to assign one player with only one task, to stop him at all costs. No, Hakodate Nishi’s way was more artsy.

They used the zone defense with a quick switch, with all the players responsible for a small area on the back.

Whenever Iwai was about to step there with the ball on his feet, the player whose area was about to be breached rammed him immediately, no hesitation at all. If he managed to get away to the other area, the player who was guarding there would also do the same, with the first player stepping back to cover their own area again.

It was one hell of a defensive tactic to kill him, and somehow, Iwai was flattered that the opponent’s coach was able to form a plan so meticulous just for him.

’Well, it seems she is not just a beauty here, but also has a brain. What a dangerous combo...’ He couldn’t help but mutter.

Then, the free kick happened, and even though the angle was way narrower than when Hiroshi took it, Iwai was still determined to return the favor here. He tried to emulate the Ronaldinho inside him, disguising a shot into a cross with a huge curve, aiming straight at the far post.

At first glance, the shot was perfect. It was high enough that it was impossible for any players to reach it. The ball was also close enough to the goalkeeper’s zone, and if Hakodate Nishi’s goalie didn’t react fast enough, he wouldn’t be able to stop Ritsumeikan’s striker.

No, that goalie had to react, and when he did, the ball would change direction so swiftly, like it was weightless in the air, and then, everything would be perfect.

Unfortunately, as the ball curled with a crazy rotation in it, and when Iwai was ready to celebrate, a blur motion suddenly flashed on the corner of his eyes, and when he snapped his head to see the culprit, the boy groaned instantly, knowing that his nightmare had come at the right time.

It was none other than Higo, and before the ball could hit the net, the boy jumped already, punching it backward until it flew behind the goal.

Right after that incredible save, the pitch erupted once again, and this time, people finally started to get to know Higo better.