Chapter 48: First Official U17 Match III - Malik Enters
In the dressing room at the break, Coach Pronk’s eyes were alight. "That’s how you play with heart and brains!" he praised, voice echoing in the tiny room. "We’re owning possession, we’re creating chances. Keep it up. Finish your chances and keep tight at the back – they’ll come at us hard now." He gave specific adjustments, but overall it was clear he was pleased.
As the team grabbed water bottles and adjusted shin pads, Amani sat back for a moment, tuning everything out. His pulse thudded in his ears, but his mind was crystal clear.
Dominate possession? Check.
Pass accuracy? Nearly flawless.
Ball retention? He hadn’t been dispossessed once.
Create five chances? Two down, three to go.
Win duels? Winning most, he’d win more.
Defensive contribution? On point, and he was ready to double it.
He felt a surge of confidence. Physically tired but mentally sharp, he knew exactly what he had to do in the second half: more of the same, and then some.
When the team returned to the pitch, the wind had picked up slightly, slicing across the field. Amani tugged his sleeves down and got moving to stay warm. The small cluster of spectators clapped politely as both teams re-emerged. No substitutions from either side – it would be the same faces in this battle.
As Amani took his position for the kickoff (now Utrecht to start play), he bounced the ball a couple of times and caught Malik’s eye again in the dugout. Malik flashed a grin and two thumbs up high above his head. We’ve got this. Amani nodded, then put his game face back on.