Becoming a football god from Arsenal

Chapter 36 Smash it for me! The first ball arrives!

August 8, Bramall Lane Stadium.

At seven o'clock in the evening, one hour before the game started, a large number of cars surrounded the place, and fans from all over the city came in an endless stream, making the place crowded.

"Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang! Bang! Bang!!"

"Beep. Beep!!"

They beat drums and blew trumpets, creating a warm atmosphere outside the stadium.

Many vendors selling beer and hot dogs were also hawking their wares here, trying to make a profit from the huge flow of people today.

They caused many fans who loved drinking to sit on the street with ruddy faces and dazed eyes before the game even started.

"Gary Speed! Come on!!"

"We want to win our first home game of the new season, charge!"

"Let Preston lose everything at Bramall Lane!"

At seven o'clock in the evening, a group of diehard Blades fans arrived, shouting slogans in unison and bringing with them a dozen majestic red and white flags, like the military flags of ancient battle formations.

The breeze blew the flags, making them flutter and dance in the wind, bringing a sense of menacing solemnity.

“OhOhOh!!”

The rest of the fans also seemed to have found their own organization. They followed the team flags and entered the stadium with their hands raised and roaring.

Fans are lovely. When you lose, they will insult you with dirty words and mock you with rational ridicule.

But when you need them, they'll still buy season tickets and wear their jerseys to cheer you on.

Today is the new coach’s first show after taking office!

The starting lineup announced before the game also clearly pointed out that many new players will make their home debut!

Sheffield United fans are looking forward to a brand new team appearing before their eyes and taking on the responsibility of restoring the team's glory.

They live in such expectations. This is their football culture and an indispensable part of their lives.

"Beep!"

At 7:55, in the player tunnel, three referees led the players from both teams into the field in an orderly manner.

Maher, holding the little caddy, followed the team's pace, walked through the player tunnel with red as the main color, and walked out of the stadium.

Looking ahead, fourteen dazzling headlights appeared right in front of us, surrounded by many small spotlights. Below them were two-tier stands filled with people, most of whom were wearing red and white jerseys.

"You are a light in the darkThat there's only the road down the dark!!"

The fans were singing the team's anthem loudly, and the voices of more than 20,000 people combined were deafening.

This is Sheffield’s home ground, Bramall Lane Stadium!
Maher had goose bumps on his skin. He had already started once, but this was his first time making an appearance at home.

This will definitely be an unforgettable day, and he will try his best to leave his own mark here.

Stepping onto the soft grass, he and his teammates completed a brief entrance ceremony, and after dividing the kick-off rights and side selection rights, they stood in their positions.

He exchanged a glance with the opponent's full-back, then looked at Gary Speed ​​who was a little excited and nervous on the sidelines, then closed his eyes and adjusted his mentality.

"Beep!"

At exactly eight o'clock, the referee blew the whistle to officially start the game.

Sheffield United striker Evans, who got the kick-off right in the first half, kicked the ball out of the center circle. Another striker Bolodanovic kicked the ball back, and Gilbert received the ball and passed it to the backcourt.

"Oh!"

Sheffield United center back Steven made a long pass to the left forward position where Maher was.

Maher rushed forward at high speed, turned his back after meeting the opponent's full-back, and jumped as high as he could to compete for the aerial ball.

He failed to head the ball, but his strong body caused the opponent's full-back to lose balance and jump low, so he still failed to head the ball.

"Press, press, press! Come up!"

Sheffield United pressed forward quickly across the board, with everyone moving towards the left and launching high pressure after the opponent threw the ball out of bounds.

Seeing that the situation was not good, the Preston defender received the ball and kicked it directly to his own midfielder. The football bounced and was not stable.

"mine!"

An excited voice rang out, and Gilbert, who was starting for the first time, came behind the opponent's midfielder, slid cleanly and kicked the ball away before the opponent could catch it. The football flew to the side, which was a half-ball between Maher and Preston's full-back.

Since the latter is not much ahead in speed, a physical confrontation is inevitable.

"boom!"

Maher's shoulder hit the opponent's player's shoulder hard. This time he didn't feel much body vibration, and saw the opponent bounced back like a sledgehammer.

Most teams' full-backs are either fast or pass-the-ball type, and their confrontational abilities are not comparable to his current ones.

Maher passed the ball to Evans who was returning the ball, and immediately felt adrenaline rushing through his body, his blood boiling.

This kind of victory in a pure strength confrontation can really make people excited!

“Oh!!”

There was a burst of cheers from the Sheffield United fan section. They saw the team's new spirit from the start, and also witnessed a passionate and successful confrontation, so they naturally felt refreshed.

In the middle position, Evans was enveloped in this fiery atmosphere and naturally couldn't help himself. He turned around and shot.

The football flew straight to the near corner of the goal, but was narrowly saved by the opponent's goalkeeper.

Almost!
"Ah" a cry of regret sounded from the stands, and many fans held their heads.

Evans also covered his face, then shook his head and raised his hands to signal everyone to get excited, "Come on, come on!"

The team is indeed different, and even the commentators sitting in the media area of ​​the stadium can see it.

“From the opening match, the team did show a completely different look after Gary Speed ​​took over.

“This may be related to the conflict between the players and Kevin that was exposed before, and also to Gary Speed’s personal charm.

"Preston seemed stunned, and coach Landers' face showed anxiety and heaviness.

"Let's look at Sheffield United's first corner of the first half, which was taken by Januhans and aimed at their center forward Borodanovic, which was a high point.

"Corner kick taken! There's a scuffle in the middle of the penalty area, and the ball is cleared with one kick!
"The ball was controlled by Ward in the second area. He looked at the penalty area and wondered if he was going to cross the ball. No, he made a sideways shot, catching the opponent by surprise!!

"Mael! Young Mahel is on the passing line!"

On the field, with Ward's fake cross, Preston's defense line quickly squeezed into the penalty area, releasing the position at the front of the penalty area.

"Oh!"

But the subsequent horizontal knock accurately captured a vacuum area and found Mahel in the open position.

At this moment, Maher seemed very calm and did not kick in a hurry.

He lowered his center of gravity and stopped the ball in the most comfortable position. His ears seemed to automatically block out the shouts of the fans around him. The world was filled with only him and the football.

In this state of extreme concentration, he took two running steps, placed his supporting foot firmly on the left side of the football, then swung his left arm and folded his right leg and popped it out heavily.

"Wow" It was not until this moment that the sounds from all around him reappeared in his ears.

One came from the coaching booth on the sidelines. It was the excited voice of Gary Speed, who should have stood up from his seat, "Smash it for me!"

"Bang!" A muffled sound spread throughout the field, and the football lifted off the ground, flew straight to the far corner of the goal, and smashed into the net at lightning speed, "Shua!"

The ball went in!
One to zero!

Maher scored with a long shot and scored his first goal in his career!

A ball of fire burst out from his heart and lungs, forcing him to raise his hands high and rush to the fan area on the sidelines with all his strength, then slid out to his knees at high speed.

"Yeah!!" At this moment, he heard the cheers of more than 20,000 fans at Bramall Lane, which seemed to overturn the roof of the stadium, and thousands of figures in front of him stood up in unison.

All his dissatisfaction was released at this moment, and he felt that he had fallen into a gentle and sensual place that made him lose his mind, with people dancing for him all around him.

The feeling of scoring a goal is really good!

"I knew you could do it, an easy assist!"

Ward, who was already here, was the first to run over, jumped high and jumped onto his back.

"Mael, my God!"

Gilbert was the second one running over with a smile on his face. He spread his arms and gave his best brother a big hug to celebrate the goal.

(End of this chapter)