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[Saturday, 26/10/2019, 19:50, Zdzisław-Krzyszkowiak-Stadion, Poland]
"Germany still applying pressure after that close call," Paul Gartner remarked as Japan struggled to clear their lines following Bella-Kotchap's header that rattled the bar before flying out for a goal kick.
Kosei Tani placed the ball down carefully, scanning his options. Germany's high press loomed menacingly, with Lenn Jastremski and Kevin Schade lurking near the edge of the box, ready to pounce. Tani opted for a short pass to Tomiyasu, who instantly found himself closed down by Rakim Rex.
Tomiyasu, composed under pressure, played a sharp diagonal pass to Yasui, who pivoted swiftly to avoid the onrushing Angelo Stiller. Yasui threaded a pass up field to Takefusa Kubo, the diminutive playmaker spinning away from Niklas Tauer with a deft first touch. Kubo surged forward, evading another challenge with a clever turn before releasing the ball to Ritsu Doan on the right wing.
Doan accelerated, driving at Noah Katterbach, who backpedalled cautiously. A quick step-over from Doan created enough space for him to whip in a low cross toward Ayase Ueda. "Ueda's in the box—can he get to it?" Gartner exclaimed.
But Armel Bella-Kotchap anticipated the danger, sliding in with perfect timing to intercept the cross. The ball ricocheted off his foot and rolled back into the path of Hiroki Abe, who unleashed a fierce strike from the edge of the area. "Blocked! Bella-Kotchap again!" Gartner shouted as the German defender threw his body in the way, deflecting the shot out for a corner.
The Japanese contingent crowded the box for the corner, with Tomiyasu and Kobayashi adding their aerial presence. Kubo stood over the ball, surveying his options before curling in a dangerous outswinger. Bella-Kotchap like a man on a mission rose highest once again, powering a header clear out of the box.
The ball fell to Rakim who cleverly put himself between the ball's landing spot and the Japanese player he was marking. He controlled the ball with his chest nudging it down as he spun past Hiroki Abe launching a counterattack. Rakim burst forward with the ball, his eyes scanning the field as he accelerated towards the left channel.
The Japanese defenders scrambled to get back, but Rakim was already in full sprint gaining speed by the moment as he ate up yards of grass. With little time to organise Riku Handa who had stayed behind during the corner was forced to step up and face him at the halfway line. Riku Handa braced himself, lowering his centre of gravity as Rakim bore down on him.
The crowd buzzed in anticipation, ready to see what would happen and they didn't have to wait too long. Rakim slowed slightly, teasing the ball with a series of rapid stepovers. Handa, trying to read his movement, shifted his weight to his right. Rakim exploded to his left, effortlessly breezing past Handa with a burst of acceleration. "Rakim is away!" Paul Gartner's voice echoed over the roar of the crowd.
Handa left in his wake, turned in vain as Rakim continued his surging run. Reaching the edge of the Japanese defensive third, Rakim spotted Jamie Leweling making a diagonal run toward the right wing. Breaking into the box as 2 more opposing defenders had tracked back at full speed, but he wasn't going to let them stop him.
Nudging the ball lightly with his left foot he faked a breakthrough down towards the corner only in the next second to have his foot flash over the ball in a rapid step over. Takehiro Tomiyasu took the bait stepping back slightly ready to follow only to see Rakim sidestep backwards as his foot snapped the ball back across him. Before Takehiro could react Rakim took a rapid sidestep just past the corner and unleashed a fully powered curler to the far-right corner.
The ball spun through the air like a missile, curling viciously toward the far top corner. Kosei Tani, already diving at full stretch, barely managed to graze the ball with his fingertips. It wasn't enough to keep it out. "GOOOOOOAL!" Paul Gartner roared, his voice competing with the explosion of cheers from the German fans. "Rakim with a piece of absolute magic! A solo run, a breathtaking move to beat Tomiyasu, and a finish that is nothing short of world-class!"
Rakim turned sharply, sprinting toward the corner flag with his arms outstretched. He didn't even do his signature celebration as he simply slid knee-first along the ground slapping the corner flag when he reached it. His teammates swarmed him, led by Jamie Leweling and Lenn Jastremski, who practically tackled him as they also slid on their knees. The German fans in the stands erupted into chants of "Rakim the Dream...Dream!"
While the German players were celebrating their opponents hung their heads in disappointment. However, their captain Tomiyasu didn't let the situation persist for long as he clapped his hands and barked instructions, urging his team to stay composed. Meanwhile, on the German bench, the coaching staff exchanged nods of approval.
"This is exactly why Rakim Rex is being touted as the next global superstar," Gartner continued. "The vision, the skill, and that ruthless finish—this young man has everything in abundance."
The stream viewers hearing his comment proceeded to flood it with a bunch of comments. Most were still engrossed in watching the replays but those that had come over due to the hype built up by the organisers and Rakim's own fame didn't have that problem. Many comments could be seen either praising him with words or using emojis.
Japan restarted quickly, trying to catch Germany off guard. Kubo, now more determined to provide a goal for his country received the ball in midfield and immediately drove forward.
His quick touches and low centre of gravity allowed him to weave through the German midfield, evading Rakim and Angelo Stiller with a subtle shimmy. He flicked the ball forward to Ritsu Doan before Niklas Tauer could close him down.
Ritsu didn't hold onto it sending it back with his first touch creating a slick one-two that bypassed the German midfielder. Kubo charged toward the box, his eyes scanning for Ayase Ueda, who was making a run between Bella-Kotchap and Ehlers.
He let loose a deft pass splitting the defenders, finding Ueda in stride. However, just as he took his first touch to steady himself Luca Unbehaun came sliding out knees first knocking the ball out of the box. The rebound fell to Hiroki Abe, but Noah Katterbach arrived just in time to block his follow-up attempt, with a sliding tackle.
Despite the miss, Japan continued to pile on the pressure, determined to respond quickly. Takefusa Kubo reached into his bag pulling out every bit of his skill to connect with his teammates as he battled with German midfield. They refused to relent, using their quick transitions and fluid movement causing the German defence to tighten their lines.
Kubo, orchestrating from the centre, dropped deeper to collect the ball from Takuya Yasui. With a deft flick, he turned away from Angelo Stiller and surged forward, scanning for openings.
The ball found its way to Hiroki Abe on the left flank. Abe, under pressure from Simon Asta, feinted inside before cutting sharply to the outside, delivering a low-driven cross into the box. Ayase Ueda stretched to reach it but just missed as Armel Bella-Kotchap intercepted with a last-ditch clearance, sending the ball high into the air.
The attack wasn't over though as Kubo found himself free, tracking the descending ball and attempted a first-time volley from just outside the box.