192: A Missile for an Equalizer

A Missile for an Equalizer

Tobias Mikkelsen didn't hold the ball for long after receiving Zachary's pass. He instead dashed across the touchline for a couple of yards before passing it back to Zachary, who was running in sync with him a few meters to his right.1

The two of them continued playing a one-two's, racing past a couple of other Vålerenga players and cutting into the pitch. They connected well to exchange quick and seamless passes, magically approaching the opponent's box, like predators on the hunt. They moved so fast and were upon the defensive line in mere seconds.

Zachary received another return pass from Tobias, just as Simon Larsen, one of the Vålerenga center-backs, was about to close him down at the edge of the box.

But he didn't panic, though. He had several passing options around him and wasn't the least bit afraid he would lose possession. So, with a deft touch, he pushed the ball out of the center-backs' reach with his left foot. His mind was already working in overdrive to deduce how to make the most out of the attack.

He understood he couldn't delay even for a single second while in front of the opponent's box since the defenders were already bearing down on him fast. So, his first idea was to play a through-pass to Nicki Nielsen, the on-form Rosenborg center forward. He could set him loose on a path towards the goal if he could time the release perfectly.

But out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the Vålerenga keeper standing off his line before he could follow through with the thought. It was as if the keeper was inviting him to try his luck from the edge of the box. Of course, he wouldn't disappoint the keeper by refusing such a gift.

He first slowed down a bit to draw in the two defenders, who were almost upon him once again. He then pushed the ball slightly beyond him with the outside of his left boot, making sure to angle his body in the same direction. It looked like he intended to dash into the box by taking advantage of the space left by the defenders on his left. But while he was mid-motion, he changed his contact surface to the inside of his boot, initiating an elastico dribble and leaving the defenders confused for a few moments.

Before the defenders could recover, he flicked the ball to his right to create more space for himself. And with quick movements, he smashed the ball with the inside of his right boot—sending it on a curving trajectory towards the goal as the entire stadium turned quiet. For the first time since the match began, the Vålerenga fans stopped making noise as a moment of silence descended upon the Ullevaal Stadion.

A soft smile outlined Zachary's face as his eyes followed the ball. It soared over and around the defenders before spinning inwards and then bounding towards the goal. It was like a missile heading for its intended target.

At that moment, Zachary was confident he'd scored with his attempt since the keeper was still about two meters off his line. So, he raised his arms to celebrate the equalizer. But in the next moment, he let them dangle at his side as an abrupt change occurred.

Gudmund Kongshavn, the Vålerenga goalkeeper, had managed to backtrack in some magical way. He leaped, contorting his tall frame backward and punching the ball over the crossbar. With that incredible save, the keeper sent the stadium into a frenzy of cheering once again.

The referee immediately blew the whistle and pointed to the corner flag.

Zachary could only sigh in despondence as he watched the Vålerenga players celebrating together and congratulating their keeper upon the incredible save. He had done everything right while taking that shot, but he'd still failed to score. So, he was feeling a little downcast.

But then, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Mikael Dorsin, the Rosenborg acting captain for that match, stealthily picking up the ball and then placing it in the corner spot. Zachary's hopes immediately reignited, the disappointment of missing a chance to score all forgotten within an instant.

Before the Vålerenga players could organize themselves into a proper defensive shape, he started making his way towards the corner flag, speed like a horse on a racetrack. To his satisfaction, Mikael spotted him immediately. The Rosenborg acting captain quickly took the corner short and passed the ball to him amid the growing booing of the fans.

Zachary received the grounded pass just as he'd traveled a few meters out of the box. Without any slight pause, he spun around, with the ball hooked to his left boot, and was once again facing Vålerenga's goal before any opponent could close him down. It was a god-sent opportunity for Rosenborg to score. Zachary felt he had all the time he needed to work with the ball. It was another moment of truth to test Vålerenga, and he knew it.

Adrenaline started flooding through his system, quickening his heartbeat as he flicked the ball forward—launching it a few meters in front of him. With the deft touch, he managed to push it closer to the corner edge of the box. He could hear the booing of the Vålerenga fans rising to a crescendo as if they were trying to disrupt his focus.

But he forced his mind to push away all the outside interference and concentrated on the issue at hand. In a flash, he raised his head and cast a fleeting glance at the situation in the box to determine his next course of action. He noticed that a few of the Vålerenga players were already rushing towards him like mad, but he didn't mind. He had all the time in the world to do the needful.

Without losing his composure, he took a step after the ball, raised his leg, locked his ankle—and then swung down hard and strong—to unleash a missile of a shot towards the goal.

"BAAM!"

He smiled as his ears managed to pick up the sweet sound of his boot smacking the ball when he made his intended contact. He then raised his head once again to observe the results of his attempt.

That time around, he hadn't applied any fancy tricks, like a spin, while shooting the ball. So, it flashed through the players on a straight trajectory towards the goal as if it was a bullet leaving a sniper's muzzle. In about a second or two, it homed into the top right corner, sending the Ullevaal Stadion into another moment of deathly silence. The keeper couldn't even react and stayed rooted in one position because of how heavy and fast the shot was.

1:1.

Rosenborg had managed to react immediately and score an equalizer in the 27th minute, just three minutes after conceding. Zachary raised his arms where he stood, at the corner edge of the box, to celebrate the goal. His teammates soon rushed towards him and joined the celebration amid the rising cheers of the few Rosenborg fans that'd traveled to Oslo to watch the game.

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