CHAPTER 49 — "Debut Season Begins: U-15 Domination"
Date: March 29, 2020
Árman Azvedo — Age: 10
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Morning — São Paulo FC Stadium, First Official U-15 Match
The stadium was buzzing with energy. Parents, local fans, and youth scouts packed the small stands. The São Paulo U-15 team was preparing for its first official league match of the season against Flamengo U-15, a team known for physicality and tactical discipline.
Árman Azvedo walked onto the pitch, calm and composed. Despite being ten years old, his posture, gait, and focused gaze made him appear far older. His white hair shimmered under the stadium lights, and his golden eyes scanned the field like a chess grandmaster studying the board.
Coach Carvalho clapped him gently on the shoulder.
"Remember, filho… patience. Let the game come to you."
Árman nodded quietly.
"I'll do my best, ," he said. Leonardo watched from the stands, pride glimmering in his eyes.
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Kick-Off — First Official U-15 Match
Minute 1: The whistle blew. Flamengo U-15 immediately pressed high. Árman dropped slightly deeper to receive the ball. First touch immaculate. He passed calmly to the central midfielder.
Minute 4: Flamengo tried to trap him on the wing. Árman feinted, spun, and delivered a perfect through-ball splitting two defenders. The winger could not control it perfectly, but scouts leaned forward, taking furious notes.
Minute 7: A corner for São Paulo. Árman positioned himself centrally. Ball curled in; his head flick precise. Goalkeeper punches it away. A dangerous chance nonetheless.
Minute 12: Midfield battle. Árman intercepts a pass and immediately evaluates options. He spots the left-back sprinting into space. One-touch pass perfectly weighted. Left-back crosses, striker hits post. Almost goal.
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Commentary Insight
Árman's spatial awareness: Beyond age 15.
Decision-making: Instantaneous, flawless.
Passing: Weighted for perfect continuation.
Dribbling: Unpredictable, subtle, yet extremely effective.
Composure: Ice-cold under high pressure.
Coach Carvalho muttered to assistant coach:
"He's ten… yet he reads this game better than half the U-17 players I've coached."
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First Goal — Mastery in Motion
Minute 18: Flamengo breaks through left flank. Árman backtracks, intercepts the pass. One-two with midfielder. Defender approaches. Quick body feint. Defender slips. Ball under control.
Árman accelerates, slides past another defender, eyes the near post. Shot — curled with perfect finesse. Goal. 1-0 São Paulo.
The crowd roared. Scouts jotted down minute-by-minute positional play, dribbling style, and finishing accuracy.
Leonardo smiled proudly from the stands.
"Meu Deus… meu filho…"
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Second Goal — Tactical Genius
Minute 29: Flamengo presses aggressively. Árman drops deep, pulls the ball to midfield. He quickly notices the right winger has made a run between defenders. One-touch pass through a tight channel. Winger receives, crosses low. Forward finishes neatly. 2-0.
Árman didn't celebrate extravagantly. He nodded at the teammate, signaling calm and focus. Humility in brilliance.
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Half-Time — Tactical Adjustments
Coach Carvalho:
"They're pressing high. Árman, if you drop one line deeper, you can draw their pivot and open the channels. Ready?"
Árman:
"Yes, coach. I see the spaces."
Players began repositioning based on his subtle cues. Even without speaking loudly, his presence dictated tempo.
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Second Half — Dominance and Control
Minute 42: Flamengo tries a through ball. Árman reads it, intercepts. Spins past midfielder. One-two with forward. Shoots… Goal. 3-0. Assist #1 recorded as well for his pass.
Minute 51: Corner for Flamengo. Árman positions perfectly, anticipates ball trajectory. Clears with precision and immediately launches a counterattack.
Minute 58: Counterattack, ball at Árman's feet. Two defenders approach. Subtle body shift, nutmeg on first, then passes perfectly to left-winger. Goal. Assist #2.
Minute 63: Dribbling sequence. Árman takes ball from midfield, dribbles past four defenders with micro-feints, then finishes top-corner with finesse shot. Goal #2 personal tally.
Minute 70: Coaches and players now in disbelief. The opposition cannot contain him.
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Post-Match Analysis
Final Score: São Paulo U-15 — 5 | Flamengo U-15 — 0
Árman's Match Stats:
Goals: 2
Assists: 3
Pass accuracy: 97% under pressure
Dribbling success: 100%
Key interceptions: 4
Tactical awareness: beyond U-15 standard
Coach Carvalho:
"I've never seen a player, at ten years old, read the game like this. He's… beyond words."
Scouts from Europe and Brazil immediately began contacting São Paulo FC, requesting footage and highlights.
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Evening — Mental Rehearsal
Árman returned home, showered, and quietly entered his private dimension.
Replayed every movement.
Visualized defensive adjustments.
Rehearsed new attacking combinations mentally.
Merged insights from his system into actionable on-pitch strategies.