My system allows me to copy talents

Chapter 378 Japan u17 vs Senegal u17 IX

Though he slowed down his pace, he didn't stop advancing.

'Is he planning on returning the moment I release the ball?' Gueye upon witnessing Taki's erratic actions couldn't help but doubt.

Then again, no sooner had that doubt penetrated his consciousness, than he immediately dispelled it as he focused on the empty post behind Taki. Even if he was planning on retreating, so what? All he needed to do was to avoid chipping.

Target the corner and avoid the keeper.

Thinking so, he glanced at the corners.

Most of the time, corners are the safest option to opt for when coming face-to-face against a keeper since keepers tend to position themselves right in the middle.

The moment he glanced at the corners, he found it blatantly open almost as if Taki had deliberately left his sides unguarded for him to exploit. Usually, keepers tend to leave their sides unguarded but an experienced keeper would always position himself in a spot where he could reach those unguarded spots at his will.

Yet, Taki's positioning seemed quite unusual. Is he simply inexperienced or is he just trying to deceive me?

Those vacant spaces were just too good to be true. And, he just couldn't help but feel skeptical about Taki's stance.

Then again, he shifted his gaze toward Taki. And, the moment his gaze landed on him, he found himself being intently stared at. Those penetrating gazes of Taki were fixedly staring at him and nothing else. And, he appeared dead serious.

It was almost as if those eyes were tracking every detail of his.

But instead of feeling creeped out or scared, he felt those stares quite tantalizing. A sudden urge to trample those confident eyes arose within him as he felt his blood boiling with excitement.

Then, as he got close enough, he struck the ball at its bottom and lobbed it.

The moment he struck the ball, Taki changed his course instantaneously and he started to fall back rapidly. He ran as fast as he could almost as if his life depended on it.

A hushed silence fell upon the entire stadium as the ball hoovered towards the post. Joy flashed in the eyes of the supporters of Senegal while at the same time, supporters of Japan felt their heart pounding upon seeing the hoovering ball.

Until now, though their team hadn't been impressive, they still had somehow managed to put up a fight against the mighty opposing team. But, if they conceded, it might very well shift the tide of the game. And, who knows if they might be able to score another goal or not?

After all, based on their performances in the second half until now, it seemed quite unfeasible for it to happen.

As the clock ticked, the expression of the supporters of Japan changed from anxious to dreadful. Many even closed their eyes.

No matter how they looked at it, it didn't seem that Taki would make it in time. And, even Taki himself was aware of the fact that he wouldn't make it in time if he continued doing what he did.

However, just as many of the supporters of Japan were starting to give up, Taki did something that left them mind-

blown.

Launching himself toward the direction of the ball, he hoovered mid-air extending both his arms forward. At this moment, he appeared to be more of a volleyball player than a footballer.

Then, he struck the ball with the bare minimum, just enough for him to clear the ball away. Just like one of those diving saves made by a volleyball player, he managed to clear the ball away from the post.

The ball then as it touched his hands bounced behind him, away from the box. But while doing so, he found himself tumbling inside the post as he couldn't pause midway.

Though he managed to keep his post clean, he couldn't prevent his crash. And, if not for the net behind, he'd have probably tumbled even further. Maybe, he'd have crashed against the sponsor board outside the lines.

"A magnificent save from the newly appointed keeper keeps them in the game," the Commentator praised Taki sounding rather thrilled. Then again, no sooner had he made those comments, than his tone became serious as he added, "But, the danger remains"

However, even though he managed to prevent the imminent danger by making a crucial save, danger continued to lurk around him.

Like a famished predator after its prey, Gueye immediately recomposed himself as he started to chase after the cleared ball right away. It was almost as if he hadn't made any mistake.

But unlike before, he wasn't alone this time. Akutsu and others who had caught up to him were also chasing after the loose ball. For sure, it wouldn't be easy to gain control of the ball while competing against those bunches.

Even so, it didn't deter him the least.

At this moment, the cheers of the opposing supporters got even louder, fueling their players to perform even better.

If they can cheer then so can we. Thinking such, supporters of Japan who had been tense and somewhat silent until a moment ago, started to cheer with much vigor at the top of their lungs.

With their cheers resonating in the stadium, suddenly the whole stadium was lit with a buzz of electrifying cheers which only added to the already rising intensity of the match.

The competition for the control of the loose ball only became heated with every passing second as players from both sides competed for the ball, trying to outperform each other. Pushing and pressing, they all competed for the ball.

Their bodies collided against each other as they competed for the ball. Coming out on top, Akutsu headed the ball away in the end, after many clashes, thwarting the effort of the opposing players.

And, suddenly as Akutsu headed the ball away, the tide of the game shifted as the opposing players found them on the receiving end.

Counterattack.

Since most of the players of the opposing team were present in their half, they immediately went on offense after they successfully fended the attack from the opposing side.