Football singularity

Chapter 311 311 Van Persie

Standing 3 steps parallel to the ball Rakim could be seen puffing his chest as he scanned the wall ahead of him. Due to where he was standing, he could easily see beyond the wall which was set up to stop either Forrest or Rogic from taking a direct shot. Zamal stood just a few steps Infront of his goal line closer to the front post as he directs his four man wall.

The set piece as closer to the left edge of the 18 yard box making it perfect for an inswing if you're going for goal or crossing into the middle. Waiting for the ref to break up some of the minor scuffles happening between both teams players he finally got the go ahead. Gauging the distance to the goal Rakim took on last breath before nodding at his two teammates who were waiting for his signal.

(Fweet) The stadium held its breath all eyes focussed on the 3 waiting for any one of them to move as the tension was killing them. Rogic was the first to move taking a direct run up but the moment he moves Forrest also got in motion from the right side of the ball. His positioning alone told the players in the wall that he was probably a fent as he had no angle for a shot, especially since he was right footed.

Thus, they didn't bother with him getting ready to stop the shot form the Celtic playmaker who was barrelling down towards the ball. How ever the unexpected happened as Rogic didn't strike the ball and instead sprinted past it heading into the free area on the left side of the 18 yard box. Seeing this one of the 4 players in the ball immediately scrambled to follow him not willing to take a risk as they expected Forres to make the pass.

However, what happened next once again left them questioning life as they scrambled to charge forward. The players who had been gearing up to drop back to impede Rogic, where left a second behind as Forrest lightly heeled the ball back to the area he had just come from. The moment they charged forward to pick up the ball their worst nightmare manifested before them.

The figure of Rakim had seemingly blitzed to where the ball was with his right leg fully outstretched gearing up for a shot. In the next moment a thunderous thud resounded as his boot wrapped around the ball sending it curling towards goal with a dangerous Velocity. The entire stadium held its breath as they watched the ball streak above the heads of the players in the box almost looking like a cross.

However, Zlamal wasn't fooled by this as he immediately back peddled towards the back post and sprung into the air as soon as he reached the middle of his goal. His arms were outstretched to the max trying to reach the ball that took a dangerous curled towards the top right corner. Stretching his fingers to the max he manged to make slight contact with the ball changing its trajectory a little just as he reached the apex of his jump.

Crashing to the ground he heard the resounding clang of the ball impacting the cross bar almost shaking the entire stadium which had been silent throughout the set piece. "He barely on and goes for goal with his first strike and what a strike it was.," Callum exclaimed the moment the ball impacted the bar and flew over for a corner.

"Indeed, that strike was magnificent, but Zlamal was equal to it doing just enough to keep things level." Roy commented as he once again saw the replay of the free kick on the screen. Zlamal barley managed to bring two finger tips to the ball but that was all that he needed to help his team and become a saviour in the eyes of the fans.

Immediately following the shot, the Hearts fans who had been on the edge of their seats, barely able to keep their nerves in check jumped up in happiness. The roar of the Hearts fans filled the stadium, their cheers echoing off the walls of Hampden Park like thunderclaps, each one a dagger to Celtic hearts. Zlamal, on the other hand, was basking in the moment, high-fiving his teammates as they gathered to regroup. He had kept them in the game, and the Hearts supporters made sure he knew it.

The Celtic fans could only stare at the replay in disbelief unable to compute how they could be so unlucky today. If the keeper had just been a second later or an inch shorter, they would be ahead, but luck wasn't on their side. The Celtic players, though frustrated, quickly refocused. Forrest jogged over to take the corner, the Hearts defence scrambling to reorganize after the chaos of the free kick. Forrest placed the ball on the corner flag, glancing up to see Ajer and Simunovic making their way into the box once more, towering over the Hearts defenders.

Both teams players jostled for position as Forrest stepped back, preparing for the delivery. Rogic positioned himself just outside the box, ready to pounce on any loose ball that might escape the fray. The referee blew his whistle, signalling that play could continue. Forrest whipped the ball into the penalty area, the delivery sharp and dangerous, curling toward the centre of the box.

Ajer timed his leap to perfection, rising above the crowd of maroon shirts. He connected with the ball, sending a powerful header towards goal. Zlamal was rooted to the spot, beaten completely—but once again, Hearts had a saviour. Berra, standing on the line, threw his body in the way, the ball deflecting off his chest and bouncing back into play. A big Boot from Hickey a second later sent the loose ball flying out of the box before Rakim and Edouard could pounce on it.

The ball was cleared high and far up the field, allowing the Hearts players a moment to catch their breath as Bain rushed out to collect the loose ball for Celtic. He quickly distributed it out wide to Lustig who had stayed behind to watch out for a for a counter. The right back calmly collected the ball not at all minding the harts striker coming towards him.

Not hesitating he raised his arm signalling a cross just as he crossed the halfway line before whipping in a high ball into the box. The players where just stepping out of the box ready to sprint back to either defend or counter when they changed their minds again following Lustig's actions. Lustig's cross sailed high into the box, drawing the attention of both Celtic and Hearts players who had barely caught their breath after the last attack.

This time, it was Edouard who made a darting run, muscling past his marker as the ball came hurtling toward him. He rose, high but came up short as the ball sailed past his head by mere inches leaving the striker disappointed. The attack wasn't over though as the ball sharply descended towards the right side of the five yard box.

It seemed like no one would get to it until everyone one spotted two figures sprinting towards the ball at break neck speed. It was Smith who was hot on his tail not allowing him to accelerate as his arm continued to pull his shoulder whenever he felt the winger would get away. Seeing this Rakim suddenly jumped forward head first crossing a meter in one fell swoop before Smith could react.

His whole body was parallel to the ground as he flew through the air like superman only ending when his head impacted the descending ball. With a dull thud he guided the ball towards the bottom left corner just beyond Zamal's reach as he landed belly first on the ground. The ball slipped past Zlamal's outstretched arm, nestling into the bottom left corner of the net.

For a split second, silence filled the stadium as both sets of fans processed what had just happened. Then the figure of Rakim was seen jumping up from the ground running towards the sideline in celebrations. "Yeaaaaahhhhhsssss," he screamed from the top of his lungs as he sprinted all the out of the 18 yard box before sliding knee first all the way to the corner flag.

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To Be Continued...