My System Allows Me to Copy Talents - Chapter 427: Kawasaki vs Kobe II

As all the players assumed their positions on the field, the referee glanced at his watch before sounding the whistle to kickstart the match.

Beep!!

The shrill sound of the whistle tore through the cacophony of cheers resounding in the stadium, announcing the start of the match.

The opposing side started the kickoff.

“And we’re off! The stakes couldn’t be higher today, with Vissel Kobe at the top of the league and Kawasaki looking to dethrone them.”

Movements unfurled in the pitch with the sound of the whistle. Calm and steady, opposing players slowly retreated as they tried to lure them to their side of the pitch.

At the core of their defense was their captain, Kenji Yamamoto, a veteran defender with an uncanny ability to read the game. It wasn’t just his ability to read the game that made him formidable. He was also exceptionally good at long passes.

Despite being a defender, his assist tally was quite impressive.

Their forwards gave chase as they tried to win the ball. Meanwhile, Hiro and others in the midfield spread wide to put some pressure on the opposing players.

The intensity of the match was immediate, with both teams fighting for control.

For some while, opposing players continued to play the ball between themselves, playing short and precise passes. Meanwhile, Hiro and his teammates continued their pursuit.

Having studied their plays, it was clear to them that by playing short passes in their half, opposing players were aiming for an opportunity to play long balls. That’s why, Tominaga and one other attacking player of the opposing team named Ryuji Nakamura hadn’t dropped down despite the pressure on their team.

On the sidelines, Coach Tatsuya was watching the match intently with his eyes rolling all over the field, trying to locate flaws and openings. Though he was a man of few words, when he was on the pitch, he was an entirely different person.

Barking instructions, he was trying his hardest to encourage his players.

Just like most of his players, he was aware of the importance of this match. And even though he hadn’t been pressured by the higher-ups of the club, he was well aware of the weight of expectations placed upon him.

“Coach Tatsuya looks animated on the sidelines, barking instructions. He knows how crucial this game is.” one of the commentators said.

Anxiously, Tatsuya glanced at one of the VIP boxes. There the club president and some of the higher-ups in the club were watching the match with great concern on their faces.

President of Kawasaki Frontale, Mr. Nakamura, sat with a stern expression, occasionally exchanging tense words with his colleagues.

Across the stadium, Vissel Kobe’s president, Mr. Suzuki was leaning forward in his seat with his eyes fixated on the field.

The President and higher-ups of both teams had come to watch this match. The gravity of the match was quite evident in their furrowed brows and tight-lipped silence.

It wasn’t just the president of both clubs, but many notable figures from the business and entertainment worlds had also gathered in the stadium to witness the clash. Their presence had added a touch of glamour to the match.

As the first half progressed, the tension only grew. Daichi Tanaka, one of the star midfielders of the opposing side, a playmaker known for his pinpoint passes and vision, orchestrated Kobe’s attacks with finesse, threading countless through balls, testing the defense of Kawasaki.

Then in the 25th minute of the match, Tatsuki managed to corner Kenji. After playing ball so much in their half, it was bound to happen. As much as their playstyle allowed them to win games, it was a double-edged sword.

No sane team would play such a risky game. But as there’s a saying no risk no reward.

While Tatsuki tried to win the ball, Hiro looked for possible gaps. But as he looked around him, he felt a little strange for some inexplicable reason. Daichi was running back as if he was trying to support Kenji, and so was Ryuji.

But Tominaga had other plans. Instead of retreating, he appeared as if he was preparing to advance. Sure, he too was falling back. But if looked closely, one would be able to see that he wasn’t actually falling back.

His movements were just too casual for someone whose team appeared to be in danger. There wasn’t even a spec of worry on his face, and neither did he appear to be in a hurry.

Hiro couldn’t help but shake this weird feeling that was gnawing at him. But he couldn’t be sure about it either. Was it Hiro couldn’t help but shake this weird feeling that was gnawing at him. But he couldn’t be sure about it either. Was it a hunch? Or was he just thinking too much?

Then all of a sudden, Tominaga turned his body as he swiftly got past his mark. At that moment, Hiro knew that the uneasy feeling that was gnawing at him wasn’t a hunch.

Just at this moment, Kenji got past Tatsuki with ease. Then without wasting any extra movement, he fired the ball toward the opposing side.

Ryuji who had been steadily falling behind, too changed his direction as he started advancing. Daichi did the same as well.And all of a sudden, every single one of the opposing attackers charged forward.

‘Shit!’ Hiro thought as he hurriedly retreated.

‘I got careless. I should have studied Tominaga’s stat.’ He thought as he witnessed the acceleration of Tominaga.

He had grown quite a lot. And, he was really fast. His steps were extremely nimble almost as if he was stepping on feathers.

‘Did he unlock new talents?’

He couldn’t be sure. It had been quite a lot since he last observed his stats after all. And, it wasn’t entirely impossible for one to attain new talents out of the blue. So, he couldn’t rule out that possibility either.

But at the moment, he had much greater concern than his carelessness.

Tominaga was cutting through his teammates like a hot knife placed atop butter. Slippery like an eel, his movements were flawless, while his eyes were fixated on the goal.

Until this moment, he had been lying dormant. But right now, a beast had been unleashed on the field and it was heading right their way at a threatening pace.