Chapter 75: Final III : Catalyst
The ball rolled again from the center spot, and immediately a change seemed to come over the FC Utrecht side. Far from defeated, the boys in black and orange now carried themselves with renewed purpose. Amani took charge from the first touch, dropping back almost alongside his midfield anchors to collect the ball and spark an attack. He turned swiftly away from an Ajax forward, using his body to shield the ball.
An Ajax midfielder lunged to press, trying once more to force Amani onto his right side – but Amani confidently cut inside on his right foot anyway, switching play out to the right flank with a sweeping pass. The crowd oohed quietly at the vision and audacity of the play.
The co-commentator murmured, "They keep targeting Amani’s right, but he’s proving he can use it brilliantly. That pass was inch-perfect." Indeed, for the first time all morning, Ajax’s press looked a step behind. The element of surprise was working in Amani’s favor; the hosts were learning that the diminutive playmaker had two strong feet and a mind quick enough to exploit their one-dimensional approach.
Sensing his influence growing, Amani demanded the ball at every opportunity. His teammates obliged, finding number 37 whenever they could. In the 32nd minute, Amani received a short pass from Dani and immediately felt an Ajax player barreling toward him. Rather than panic, Amani cleverly flicked the ball behind his standing leg with his left foot, a subtle move that caused the onrushing opponent to overrun.
In a flash, Amani spun around him and reclaimed the ball on the other side, drawing a roar of appreciation from the Utrecht fans. Even some Ajax supporters had to applaud that piece of skill.
Up in the stands, Ruud Gullit raised his eyebrows and leaned over to exchange an excited remark with a colleague – the kind of reaction reserved for something special. Abigail could hardly contain her excitement, nearly dropping her pen before scribbling: "33’ – Amani brilliant turn past defender (right foot!). Momentum shifting." She could feel it – everyone could feel it now: Utrecht was pushing back.
Utrecht’s resurgence was as much about grit as it was about skill. Moments after that flashy turn, Ajax tried to mount another quick counter through their danger man on the wing. This time, however, Amani was ready. When the Ajax winger threaded a pass inside toward an attacking midfielder, Amani had anticipated it.
He tracked back with tireless determination, sprinting full tilt from his advanced position. At the crucial moment, just as the Ajax midfielder attempted to take a touch, Amani slid in with a perfectly timed interception. His outstretched left foot hooked the ball cleanly away, and he popped back up in one fluid motion to retrieve it.
The dangerous attack was snuffed out at its inception. "Excellent defensive work by Amani!" the commentator shouted as the crowd reacted with a mix of surprise and admiration. "He’s not just an artist on the ball; he’s willing to do the dirty work too."
The co-commentator agreed, "That’s leadership – tracking back like that when your team needs you. You can see him trying to drag Utrecht back into this game."
Having won the ball, Amani didn’t waste a second. Rather than simply hoof it clear, he kept his composure and initiated the buildup from deep. He turned with the ball and laid off a simple pass to Amrabat, who in turn found Dani.