The Rise of the Iron Wall!

Chapter 349: The Pressure from Hannan University High!

"Come on! Come on! Be a little bit faster!"

"Matth! Don’t just stand there passively! Be more proactive!"

"Don’t force! Don’t force! Take it easy!"

After the goal from Hiroshi, the intensity started to rise once again, with Hannan University High putting more effort into tearing apart the iron wall in front of them. This time, both Takaaki and Jun truly witnessed what it meant for Hannan University High to have two engines in their midfield area.

Both Kei Murakami and Matthew Edwards suddenly seemed to be everywhere here. They could be receiving the ball from Taiga Nagai one moment, just to have another battling for the second ball against Jun in front of the penalty box five seconds later.

Their mobility was unmatched, and with the opponent having two unkillable soldiers like them, it was so hard to stop any attack beforehand. As a result, Hannan University High got several shots on target so far, and all of them ended up threatening Higo’s goal quite well.

"Damn, we cannot do this all the time, Jun." Makino panted heavily while also wiping the sweat on his forehead. "You need to step up your game right now. Stop them from getting the second ball, and try to push them to the flank. Don’t open up the middle area so easily."

This had always been Hakodate Nishi’s main principle in defense. Prevent any easy attack, push the opponent to the edge, and let Higo deal with the rest. It was simple and took advantage of their amazing goalkeeper at the back. However, the same couldn’t be said today, since they gave up so many easy chances for the opponent, putting them at a disadvantage.

"Of course, I know that, Senpai..." Jun growled, still holding his knee as the boy tried to keep his breath steady. "Easier said than done, though. You don’t know how torturous it is to keep an eye on them both..."

Makino was so quiet when he heard that. Inwardly, though, he regretted Kazawa and Jun’s absence here, knowing that they both had greater mobility than the clumsy Jun in front of him.

’If only they could be here...’ He stared at one particular section on the stand where those two watched the game quietly. ’Eh, I cannot think that way in the middle of the game. No, I have to focus on what is in front of me first.’

Unfortunately, he wasn’t the only one who thought the same. Even Takaaki was struggling to support Jun as the boy’s partner in the midfield area. Unlike Kazawa or Fujinaga, the tall boy always preferred to step back a little toward the penalty box instead of staying aggressive, leaving a huge empty area in front of him.

This couldn’t be blamed on Jun completely. After all, the boy’s natural position was a central defender, and that was how he was taught to do in that kind of situation. Usually, it would be Kazawa who had to stay aggressive, and he would just clear any leaks that escaped from the attack. However, now that he had inherited Kazawa’s position, the boy couldn’t adjust to his new role that quickly, giving up several chances for the opponent to launch a rocket.

BAM!

"Fucking... HELL!" Higo growled as he leaped in the air, trying to deflect the ball from the goal behind him. His hand failed to reach it, but fortunately, the ball still deviated a little bit more toward the left side, not meeting the goal behind him at all.

"AH! Unlucky!" Their player with the jersey number 11, Kento Miyaura, groaned annoyedly when he saw the ball bruising past the goal post like that. "Sorry, everyone! That’s my fault!" He apologized to his teammates.

"Don’t worry, keep bombarding him with more shots!"

"Yeah, we will crack that damn stubborn wall sooner or later! Just don’t give up!"

Higo was so solemn when he heard that. While he was not a stranger to that kind of bombardment, it was indeed rare for him to receive so many of them in the first half. Usually, the team’s defensive shape would still be better. Once exhaustion started to kick in, things would definitely get worse in the second half.

"Fuck it, Teme, tell the midfielders to deal with the pressure better! How many times do they get to be beaten before I have to concede a goal here?!" He clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction.

Makino just sighed helplessly before saying, "I’ll talk about this with Jun and the others, but don’t lose your temper, okay?"

Unfortunately, this was not a matter that could be dealt with just one or two words. Jun was struggling to protect the area in front of the box, and he was always one or two seconds too late to react appropriately. As a result, one of the players there would always have to cover for his ass, and the chain reaction would always leave one of the opponent’s players in an open position.

It was just pure luck that Hakodate Nishi hadn’t conceded any goals so far, all due to the bad finishing from the opponent’s side. However, they couldn’t go like this forever. No, something had to be changed right now.

"Teme, how many times left before the first half is over?" Higo groaned after another shot was launched at him. This time, the boy managed to hold the ball in his grasp, trying his best to waste more time.

"One minute left, just hold on!" The captain replied before moving a little bit forward, signaling the others to follow him. "Clear it as far away as possible! We will keep the ball in the midfield until the end!"

Well, Higo complied, kicking it with all of his strength. He could also see the referee glancing at his watch, showing that the game was so close to ending. However, it was easy to say something, but to keep the ball away from Hakodate Nishi’s territory was not an easy task.

After Taiya Nagai managed to win the aerial battle against Kenji, he pushed the ball further to the left flank. Then, a diagonal cross was sent toward Jui Hata, and this time, that giant didn’t pass it to his teammates. No, he just controlled the ball simply with his chest, using Sano’s body as an anchor before turning around like a whirlwind, launching a rocket from his spot.

BAM!