The Heart Of The Players

Tola was known for the great ball he had always played with his friends, especially while on the pitch. He has this spirit of agility that makes football his passion. With his tactics on the field, while practicing, he has always been the key man on the field. His technique of scoring has no mates, and his way of skipping is just extraordinary.

His team in his school has a final two-sided (home and away) match with a neighboring school. After his performance in the qualifiers, he was chosen to be the man of the match being played. Everyone knew Tola as someone with special skills. Now, his school team has the full confidence to win the match at all costs through Tola.

They began training with their coach, Mr. Jack. Coach Jack has been a good coach and has selected his first eleven players. Coach Jack made Tola the captain of the team after seeing his skills.

It was time for the game, and Tola had to take his team, being the team captain, and talk to them just like a coach.

“See the ball, just like what can always be within your reach. Never get afraid of your opponent, as they are just like you. See yourself as the best, and don't forget to perform your best on the pitch. Look at the pitch, which is just as small as your ordinary compound. Play as a team, but not as some kinds of people harbor some grudges within," Tola gave his mate's advice. As he was talking, the coach was right in the hall, unknowingly to them. Without waiting for others to clap, he started clapping from behind. The whole team joined and was clapping.

They went to the field as they were going on an away match, and then the final would be at their home. They entered the field and started playing. Tola played to his best but was unable to score a goal. The other teams were also well-prepared. They played for 45 minutes without a goal coming from any of the teams. Now they are at half-time.

Tola went inside the dressing room with his teammates and his coach. Jack gave them advice and also told Tola about his mistakes. “You were just too fantastic on the pitch, and I could see the spirit of winning the match in you, but you have to stop dribbling and pass the ball to your mate.”.

“Alright, coach, I will do as you instructed,” Tola said while in a sad mood about not scoring.

Mica Asato
They entered for the second half and started playing. The ball got to box 18 of their opponents. Tola was with the ball as he dribbled past his opponent in their box 18. He tried to shoot the ball before his left leg was dragged from behind, which made him fall. The dragging caused him some injuries. The referee's whistle was blown, showing a penalty kick. He stood up as everyone was watching how he was going to score a goal through the penalty kick. His right leg was somehow heavy, but he has never for once, lost a penalty kick and so dropped the ball on the position. He shifted backward and watched the keeper closely. He ran and shot the ball to the opposite side of the keeper. The keeper dove to the other side of the ball, while the ball rolled to the highest side of the post.

He fell flat to the ground, as it was just a few minutes to the end of the match. He stood up and walked out, signaling for coach Jack to substitute him, as his leg was aching. Likewise, he was asked to finish the game as they were left with 3 minutes of extra time.

The opposing team passed, while Tola was just behind the player who passed. He took the ball from the player, but then his leg was just too heavy for him, so he left the ball as his opponent was behind him. His opponent took the ball and passed it to his mate. It was a counterattack, and their striker, the captain, took the ball, ran to box 18, and shot the ball. It's a goal… Tola sat on the floor shamelessly while the referee blew the final whistle.

Tola went straight to the dressing room and pulled off his boots before receiving a tap on his back.

“Hey, you played a fantastic game," the opposing captain praised Tola.

“Thanks, and you also played nice football. I love the way you played and dribbled. But I was the champion that made you guys win,” Tola said.

“I know it's not your fault. Your coach would have replaced you with another player as you had an injury," the opposing captain said.

Tola, who was downcast, got up again and hoped to win the final match.

The D-Day arrived, and Tola was fit to play. He was looking astounding as usual. He has learned his lesson, and now he is fully ready to win the match.

They entered the field and started playing. Tola’s first touch took him to box 18 of their opponent. He was trying to fire a shot before he was wiped from behind by the opponent's defender. The referee blew and awarded a penalty kick. Tola was not ready to make the same mistake he had made in the first leg; he tactically played the ball and saw the ball rolling inside the net. “It's a goal.... .” The commentator yelled.

Now they are 1:1 aggregates. The game started in proper and balanced form. Tola began to dribble as his name was being called everywhere. It was now 90 minutes, and we were still playing a draw.

Now it's 3 minutes of extra time. Tola passed the ball to his fellow and, in turn, ran forward close to box 18 and fired a hot shot that almost got the keeper blown down. It's a goal… The crowd shouted, hailing Tola, and the referee blew the final whistle. The game ended in an aggregate of 2:1 in favor of Tola’s team. Tola's teammates rushed and carried him up, praising him for giving them a winning goal and also for the strong advice he gave them.

Tola had to go meet with the other team's captain and shake hands with him. They embraced each other.

“You played well," Tola said while he replied, “and you too." They became friends, and with the words Tola said to the opponent captain, he was given the ego that his team had played well.

Tola's team was given the trophy by Tola, the captain.