Kang Do-Jin was by no means Higo. He couldn’t foresee the future, and his reaction was also one or two seconds slower. However, his sight and judgement ability were still top-notch, so when he saw someone rushing from the flank to cut inside, coupled with how Usami only had his back facing the goal, the boy put two things together and made a direct conclusion.

’Shit, he is going to shoot!’

He shifted his body a little, getting ready for a bomb. Fortunately, his decision was proven to be correct, because a second later, a half-volley shot was launched violently, with the ball creating a parabolic route like a meteor falling from heaven.

BAM!

"Fucking... HELL!"

As the ball fell from the sky, the Korean goalkeeper also flew back acrobatically. With one hand extending far, he managed to reach the ball by just an inch. However, that touch was so clutch, as it deflected the ball back to the sky, and in the next second...

CLANK!

The sound of the ball hitting the crossbar echoed throughout the whole stadium, silencing everyone else in there. The only sound that followed was one where Kang Do-Jin fell on the ground. It was fortunate that the boy knew how to land safely, or he would have gotten injured straight away.

However, people’s focus was not there. No, it was at the ball still bouncing softly on top of the net, then to Kang Do-Jin himself, and finally to the one who caused this ruckus. It was Hiroshi who, after having managed to drag the opponent’s defenders to the flank, cut in out of nowhere to receive Usami’s pass and finish it with a first-time volley.

"Goddamnit!" The next thing they knew, Hiroshi suddenly cursed, kicking the grass in frustration. "Even with all of this shit, the shot is still being saved? Are you kidding me?!"

That was when people on the stand finally found their voices again, and the next thing they knew, cheers erupted from all over the place.

"OH! What a save!"

"That’s why we get Kang Do-Jin! His price is worth all the money!"

"Hey, hey! Do you think he is better than Ryusuke Higo?!"

"Idiot! Can you see the score right now?! It is clear who is better and who is worse!"

Higo, who was far on the back line, couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his lips unconsciously. Inwardly, the boy also muttered, ’If you want to praise him, just do so; why would you guys want to drag me into this whirlwind of shit? Also, he only made two saves so far, and you think he is better than me? Are you fucking kidding me?!’

Even though most of the time, Higo didn’t really care about this, at this moment, his competitiveness sparked a little bit. Still, there was nothing else he could do right now. The boy could only fight back when he was getting attacked next, so right now, he could only pray that his teammates would be able to do some damage to the boy on the other side of the pitch.

"Come on, Hiroshi, Kenji! Fucking hell, just score one first!" He gritted his teeth secretly.

Well, he wasn’t the only one who got frustrated here. Hiroshi himself gnashed his teeth, sweat starting to roll on his face. The others also started to feel worried, knowing that this could be their only chance to tie the score. Still, no one dared to voice it out loud, not wanting to spread the negativity.

"Come on, Everyone! We still have a chance!" Makino shouted while also coming forward, getting ready to join the crowd for the corner kick. "Hiroshi, send a good ball here!"

"Hiroshi, aim it for me!" Jun stood imposingly, not caring that he was guarded by two players.

On the corner spot, Hiroshi raised both hands with his fists open, giving a signal to his teammates on the box. The moment the referee blew the whistle, he sent it far from the goal, even closer to the outside of the penalty box. There, Jun stood tall, beating two players around him to head the ball out where Takaaki had already waited for it.

Thud!

"Come on, Takaaki!"

BAM!

With one touch to his chest, the glasses boy managed to control the ball perfectly before firing a rocket low through the ground. Kang Do-Jin froze in his place as his sight was blocked by the people around him. Fortunately, one player stood close to the far post, being in the right spot to deflect the ball away from the goal.

"FUCK!" Takaaki cursed for the first time today. "So close!"

The crowd also cheered, some even giving a standing ovation.

"Good job, Takaaki! That’s how you should do it!"

"Come on! Put more pressure, you are getting closer here!"

"This is the top-8 game it should be! Come on!"

The excitement was understandable. After all, a lot of people thought that this game would be a boring one, what with Hakodate Nishi’s conservative style. However, here they were, being able to see the two teams going at each other’s throats so fiercely. Not only that, everything was clean here, no hard foul or dirty trick. Just pure football, everything that people could hope for in this game.

Well, the same couldn’t be said for Shimizu Higashi High, as they would prefer their opponent to stay in their cocoon defense forever. The last attack was enough to get their heart to jump on the spot, and honestly, they didn’t want to experience the same shit again.

"Come on, everyone! Focus!" Kang Do-Jin shouted, his voice hoarse. "A minute left before it ends! Don’t get careless!"

After this, another corner kick was granted for Hakodate Nishi High. This time, Shimizu Higashi’s players paid more attention to Takaaki’s movement outside of the box, not wanting to let Hakodate Nishi repeat their earlier success. Seeing this, Hiroshi decided to send the ball close to the six-yard box. Unfortunately, Kang Do-Jin managed to guide himself through the crowd decisively, punching the ball away from his area.

BAM!

"Oh! Nice save, Do-Jin-a!"

Somehow, though, even though the punch got the ball close to the sideline, Wataru Takagi suddenly rushed out of nowhere, sliding through the cold grass while extending one foot to save the ball. The moment it stopped on his feet, all the Hakodate Nishi players couldn’t help but widen their eyes, knowing what this meant for them.

"SHIT! GO BACK! COUNTER!"