Gathering the kids in the locker room, Kay began to outline the final notes and instructions for the match.
"Remember, the primary goal is to keep the score at 0-0 if the Tigers attack," he emphasized, looking each player in the eye. The team nodded, absorbing every word.
Suddenly, Aiden raised his hand. "Manager, what should we do if the Tigers score first?"
Kay paused, considering the question carefully. "Good point, Aiden. If the Tigers manage to score first, we'll stick to our defensive strategy. One time they will think that we couldn't attack, and then they'll likely push hard for a second goal. When they do, we'll use their aggression against them."
He paused, ensuring he had their full attention. "We'll switch to the L-shaped attack. Using the Spaces left by them. But remember, we have to be precise and decisive. I want us to score from one attempt. Efficiency is key."
The players nodded, understanding the weight of their task. Kay continued.
"Mark, you'll have a crucial role. Stay vigilant, cut off any dangerous passes, and transition quickly. Taylor, your speed will be vital in executing this plan. Once we gain possession, push forward and use the space created with a fast L-shaped attack."
He moved around the room, making sure each player knew their specific responsibilities.
"Michael, support Mark and ensure the midfield is solid. Aiden, coordinate with James to cover any gaps in defense. Everyone needs to be alert and ready to capitalize on their mistakes."
Kay's voice was firm yet encouraging, instilling confidence in his young team.
"We've trained hard for this moment. Trust in your abilities and play with your heart. No matter what happens, we stick together and play our game."
The atmosphere was electric as Kay led his players onto the field for their warm-up.
The stands, initially sparse, were quickly filling up with enthusiastic fans, buzzing with anticipation despite the match being an hour away.
The number of supporters had noticeably increased after the Eagles' last victory, a result of their growing popularity and the excitement surrounding the team.
Among the fans, parents and friends waved homemade signs and banners, showing their support for the young players.
Some wore Eagles' colors, proudly donning blue and white scarves and shirts. The air was filled with chatter and laughter, a palpable sense of community and hope.
On the opposite side of the field, Kay noticed a group of kids in bright orange shirts with striking black lines, accompanied by an aged man and Ramirez.
This was the Tigers' team, their uniforms reflecting their fierce name. The bold orange contrasted sharply with the black, creating an intimidating yet vibrant look.
Kay approached to greet the Tigers' coach, Mr. Williams, a seasoned man with a sharp gaze and a confident demeanor. As they shook hands, Mr. Williams smirked and said, "Enjoy your moment of luck from the last match, but it ends today."
Kay chuckled softly, not rising to the bait. He knew that actions spoke louder than words, and he was determined to let the game do the talking.
Kay left the conversation with Mr. Williams and called over Ramirez. Ramirez excused himself from the group and joined Kay a short distance away.
Kay asked him to point out Aaron among the Tigers' kids. Ramirez, careful not to draw attention, provided a subtle description: "He's the kid with sharp, arrogant looks, this description is enough to know him."
Kay glanced over and immediately spotted Aaron. He was a tall boy with a confident stance that bordered on arrogance.
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His sharp features were accentuated by a determined expression, and he exuded a sense of superiority that was hard to miss.
Aaron's movements were fluid and controlled, suggesting a high level of skill and athleticism.
As Kay observed Aaron, he checked his stats on his system:
- - -
Player: Aaron
Pace: 33
Shooting: 33
Passing: 25
Dribbling: 32
Defending: 13
Physical: 24
- - -
Kay was impressed. Aaron's pace and dribbling skills were exceptional for his age, making him a formidable opponent.
His shooting state was also remarkable, indicating a natural talent for finding the back of the net.
While his defensive skills were lacking, his overall physicality and offensive abilities made him a key player to watch.
Then Kay thanked Ramirez and returned to his players who had already finished their warming up.
Then Kay wanted to check his players' stats to see their improvements on these two weeks of training after the Giants' match.
- - -
Player: Liam
Pace: 27
Shooting: 20
Passing: 23
Dribbling: 24
Defending: 18
Physical: 15
- - -
- - -
Player: James
Pace: 19
Shooting: 15
Passing: 14
Dribbling: 11
Defending: 24
Physical: 18
- - -
- - -
Player: Michael
Pace: 25
Shooting: 24
Passing: 31
Dribbling: 23
Defending: 22
Physical: 20
- - -
- - -
Player: Aiden
Pace: 21
Shooting: 18
Passing: 19
Dribbling: 15
Defending: 30
Physical: 22
- - -
- - -
Player: Ethan
Diving: 21
Handling: 21
Kicking: 19
Reflexes: 27
Speed: 15
Positioning: 26
- - -
Kay noticed a subtle yet significant improvement in all his players' stats over the past weeks.
He was pleased to see the progress, but he also observed that the degree of improvement varied among them.
Players who had undergone one-on-one training with Kay, such as Michael and Aiden, had made notable strides.
- - -
Player: Mark
Pace: 19
Shooting: 17
Passing: 15
Dribbling: 11
Defending: 30
Physical: 20
- - -
However, when Kay checked Mark's stats, Kay was astonished. Mark had shown an exceptional level of improvement compared to his peers.
Curious and somewhat puzzled, Kay decided to investigate further. He suspected that individual potential might play a role in the varying rates of improvement among the players. Or maybe just because he worked more compared to the others.
With this in mind, Kay asked the system if players could have a potential stat that could affect their rate of improvement.
Kay wasn't expecting any answer but, a few moments later the system responded:
- - -
Yes, each player has a unique potential that determines the value and speed of their growth.
The system could provide the potential of players on higher levels.
You should unlock them first.
- - -
Now Kay was sure that Mark had a high potential, so he decided to keep an eye on him. That proved that Kay's decision to invest in Mark to become a big player was right.
Kay knew that the system had a vast potential and many secrets yet to be discovered.
He realized that with experience and diligent investigation, he could unlock more of these secrets, ultimately enhancing his coaching abilities.
A few moments later, it was time for Kay and the team to head to the field for the match. As they stepped onto the grass, a wave of cheers erupted from the fans in the stands.
The enthusiastic support from the crowd electrified the air, instantly boosting the players' morale. The cheers echoed through the stadium.
The sight of the packed stands and the sound of the fans chanting their names motivated the young players even more.
Kay could see the excitement and determination in their eyes. They were ready to give their best performance and make their supporters proud.
Kay gathered his team for a final speech before the match began. "Remember the tactics we've practiced,"
"Stay focused, support each other, and play with the same heart and determination that brought us here. Let's show everyone what we can do."
The players nodded, their faces set with resolve. They broke the huddle with a cheer and took their positions on the field.
When the two teams took their places on the field the referee whistled announcing the beginning of the match.
See you in the next chapter ...
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