John stood still, not moving. The referee decided there was a penalty in the 95th minute. All the scenarios John had imagined did not include losing in this way. It was extremely difficult. The only hope was the goalkeeper.
But the one who stepped up to take the penalty was the team's top scorer, a player who scored half-chances. He had never missed a penalty in his career so far.
Things slipped out of John's hands. He became just a spectator during those difficult and decisive moments. The player did not step far away from the ball. With full confidence, he waited for the whistle. He prepared. The whistle blew. The player stepped forward. The goalkeeper went to the right side, and the ball went to the left post. The players jumped toward the ball in a dramatic scene filled with fear. The player who took the penalty was very close to the ball. He managed to reach it and kicked it toward the empty net, but player number 2, Michael, appeared and cleared the ball off the goal line. The ball went toward Tommy, who kicked it forward and quickly headed into attack. He dribbled past two players. The crowd stood up. A moment of complete silence spread across the entire stadium. Everyone held their breath. Tommy kept running with the ball. No one could stop him, but the center-back managed to stop him with a foul that made the referee award a free kick very close to the penalty area. Tommy fell injured and left the field. It was a very difficult moment. John ordered the captain to take the free kick. It was the most dangerous play of the match. Time had already run out. The referee would blow the final whistle immediately after the free kick.
The captain stepped forward, placed the ball, and prepared to shoot. The referee gave the signal. The captain's heartbeat was extremely fast. He paused for a second, then made his decision and struck the ball with great power, but the goalkeeper managed to reach it with his fingertips and pushed it out. The referee signaled for a corner. Player number 2 went to take the corner kick, but before that, the goalkeeper and defenders went up into the opponent's penalty area.
He remarkably delivered the corner. The ball rose into the air as if it were dancing. The goalkeeper attacked it and headed it perfectly into the net, making everyone scream with joy. It was the third goal. It was the winning goal. They had done it. They had won the match. What madness. No one could believe what had happened. It was difficult even for John himself. Although he trusted the team and knew that victory was possible, the events of the match were hard to believe. In one moment, defeat was very close, and even the hope of a draw seemed impossible, then everything suddenly turned into a victory that made everyone who attended the match rush onto the pitch to celebrate the team and the coach for this historic win. Yes, historic because of what the team had gone through over the years, dropping through divisions and suffering one disappointment after another until John arrived and restored the prestige of the team he once played for as a child. But this was just one match. The second half of the season had just begun. Still, that did not stop the celebration. The fans did not leave the stadium. They celebrated and surrounded it, waiting for John and the players to come out to greet and celebrate with them. The city had not seen such an atmosphere for many years. The team had been without spirit, without character, but now the opposite was true. The team played in a way that made you want them to win. They were playing for their coach's dream.
In the locker room, everyone was jumping with joy over the victory, promising to challenge the other teams in an atmosphere filled with pride.
John entered, along with Frank, who was the happiest person that day. His smile was clear, and tears of joy filled his eyes. He grabbed John's hand and said, long live the hero, come on, come on. He added, " Guys, you have warmed my heart. You brought back memories of the past. You were at the required level. You defended the team's colors with great determination, and it was only natural that you achieved an important victory, a very important one. I am extremely happy.
John cleared his throat.
Everyone fell silent.
Guys, first I want to say thank you. Thank you, Tommy, you were exceptional today. I hope your injury is not serious and that you return to us soon. Thanks also to the goalkeeper. He secured the victory with a goal. It was wonderful. Thanks to everyone for this great football battle.
It was a difficult match that revealed the team's flaws, and that is very good, because despite that, we achieved victory. There are many things we need to work on. For now, I will stop here. Celebrate the win today. Tomorrow will be a day off for everyone. The day after tomorrow, we will meet here to solve the problems we faced today. Until then, thank you again. It was a great match.
Frank said, John, John, wait a moment. There are many fans outside who want to see you. You will find the driver waiting for you outside. He will take you home.
Maria was already outside. She stood on the other side of the street while the fans waited for John and the players to come out.
When John came out, the crowd gathered around him. With great difficulty, he managed to get through. At that moment, he heard Mickey's voice, Dad, Dad, we are here. He raised his head and saw Maria and the child. He went to them, hugged his wife, and they all got into the car and left for home.
Maria said, " You were truly amazing. Everyone enjoyed the match.
Mickey said, Dad, I will become a famous football player and great at scoring goals. Will you allow me?
John said, of course, you will be a great player, I do not doubt that.
Maria, with a smile full of love, respect, and appreciation, placed her head on John's shoulder in a calm moment after the noise of the stadium.
It was a very special day. John regained his shine and also his dream, which he had once pursued as a player, and now he would try to achieve it as a coach. Will he succeed? Will he win the upcoming matches, or was today's victory just luck?
Deep inside, he knew that luck had favored him a lot in this match, and he was the one who knew it best among everyone in the stadium. But not every match would be decided by luck, so there were many things that needed to be fixed before it was too late.
At the stadium, the celebrations were still ongoing. Frank was dancing among the players, happy with the victory. Suddenly, the opposing team's coach entered, accompanied by another man, and said hello.
Frank said, " Welcome, how are you, coach?
The coach said, " Fine, congratulations on the win.
Frank said, " Thank you, good luck in your upcoming matches.
The coach said, thank you as well. Has John left?
Frank said, yes, he left the stadium a little while ago. Is there something you want me to tell him?
The coach said, no, nothing. I will try to contact him. Congratulations again. Goodbye.
Frank said goodbye and continued dancing, not caring, come on, come on, dance, you were truly amazing. Bravo. You will receive a reward for this great spirit and the happiness I feel now.
Outside, the coach and that man, who was a representative of the capital team, were looking for John to offer him a very big deal that would make him join the capital team for a huge amount of money.
At home, John was taking a shower. He was feeling intense pain, and it was getting worse day after day, but he was not telling Maria. The medicine was no longer effective. It only reduced the pain slightly. Now he was taking double the dose, but without result. He decided that he had to see a doctor to find a solution if there was one. He came out of the bathroom and heard Maria calling him.
John, come here, there is a call for you.
He picked up the phone and said hello, who is this?
The voice replied, " Hello John, you don't know me, but I know you well. I want to tell you that I am happy for you. You were great today, and I am glad you decided to return to the field again. I wish you success.
John said, " Thank you very much, but you did not tell me who you are.
I am Fabio, a representative of the capital team.
John said, " Hello Fabio, thank you for the call.
Fabio said, wait a moment. I looked for you in the locker room, but you had already left. There is something I want to tell you, not over the phone. We need to meet.
John said, " What is the matter you want to tell me about?
Fabio said, I have a professional contract for you with the capital team, with conditions beyond imagination.
John said, " Sorry, I am already committed to a contract with my current team. Thank you for the offer. Goodbye.
Fabio said, " Don't rush, John. We can release you from your current contract no matter the release clause. It does not matter. Also, I heard that you suffer from a chronic illness. We will make sure you receive proper treatment. Think about it, John. We will meet soon. Just think about it. Do not rush. Think about your interests so you do not regret it. Opportunities do not always come.
John said, " Listen, Fabio, I already told you my final answer. I am committed to a contract with my team. I cannot do what you said. Thank you for the offer, but I cannot accept it. Thanks again. Goodbye.
Maria said, " What is it, who was that person who upset you?
John said, " No, it is nothing important, just a lost person. Did you prepare dinner? What did you cook for us, the most beautiful woman walking on this earth in this city?
Maria said, only the city? I thought in the world.
John said, no, no, that is not what I meant. I meant the most beautiful in the entire universe.
Maria said, no, you said the city. Stay away from me.
It was a difficult day, but it became even harder with the worsening of John's health condition.