Alongside him, Steven Berghuis, and Fernando Lewis also prepared to enter.
[This is exactly what SC Veendam didn’t want to see,] the co-comntator said with a chuckle. [Fresh legs, and not just any fresh legs—two of AZ Alkmaar’s brightest talents. Lord have rcy on them]
[An] Mike added with a chuckle
Fweeeee!~
The fourth official raised his board, the glowing red and green numbers signaling the changes.
[And here co the substitutions for AZ Alkmaar,] Mike announced. [Jóhann Guðmundsson is making way after a fantastic shift, and on cos Benjamin Rijkaard. A big mont for the young winger]
The ho crowd erupted, recognizing the cup debut of their promising youngster.
Benjamin jogged onto the pitch, exchanging a quick handshake with Guðmundsson, who patted him on the back in encouragent.
[Look at that,] his co-comntator noted. [Guðmundsson gets his standing ovation, and rightly so. A goal and a dominant performance. But now, all eyes on this young man, Benjamin Yinka Rijkaard. Let’s see what he’s got]
Mike nodded. [And it’s not just him! Roy Beerens is off, Steven Berghuis is on. And there’s one more—Aron Jóhannsson’s night is done, and the young Fernando Lewis takes his place]
The fresh legs brought another wave of energy into the AZ Alkmaar lineup, while on the other side, SC Veendam’s bench scrambled to respond.
[And look at this,] Mike continued, as the visitors prepared their own changes. [SC Veendam’s manager isn’t wasting any ti. He’s making his own adjustnts, but let’s be honest, these aren’t attacking substitutions]
Three players stood near the fourth official, their expressions grim.
[Oh, you can tell what this is,] the co-comntator chuckled. [It’s damage control. It’s let’s-just-get-out-of-here-without-conceding-ten more]
Mike laughed. [Exactly. We’re seeing a defensive midfielder co on, another center-back, and a fresh full-back. This is as defensive as it gets]
Fweeee!
As the substitutions were confird, the ga restarted with AZ Alkmaar in possession.
Benjamin quickly found his position on the left wing, his movents sharp, and eager to make an impact.
[Watch him,] Mike said, his voice tinged with excitent. [This kid’s got pace, skill, and a shifty eye for goals]
Benjamin’s first touch and involvent ca almost imdiately. Overtoom, playing deeper now, clipped a pass into space.
Benjamin took off, his acceleration electric as he left his marker in the dust.
[Here he goes!] Mike’s tone lifted. [Benjamin’s first touch is a good one, and he’s got room to run!]
The crowd’s anticipation swelled as Benjamin drove forward, his feet a blur as he approached the edge of the 18 yard box. The SC Veendam defenders, already weary, scrambled to close him down.
[He’s taking them on—]
A quick step-over, a feint to the right, and then—bang!—he darted left, cutting inside with ease.
[Oh, that’s lovely footwork!] his co-comntator exclaid. [He’s still going!]
Benjamin spotted Fernando Lewis making a darting run at the far post. He shaped to cross, but instead, he took a gamble—lifting a curling shot toward the top corner.
[He’s gone for goal—!]
Fwooosh!~
The ball dipped late, forcing Nienhuis into a frantic backpedal. The goalkeeper leaped, his fingers outstretched to the limits—
THWACK!
Off the crossbar!
The rebound ricocheted downward, bouncing off the goal line before being hacked away at the last second.
[Off the bar again! Benjamin Rijkaard nearly scores with his first real touch of the ga!]
The ho crowd groaned in disbelief with hands on their heads, while Benjamin himself stood frozen for a mont, his eyes wide. He had nearly marked his cup debut with an absolute stunner.
[What an introduction that would’ve been!] Mike shouted. [He struck that beautifully! Just inches away from his first senior goal!]
His co-comntator let out a breath. [And you have to feel for Nienhuis. He’s had to work harder in this match than in his entire season combined]
The ball had gone out for a corner, and the AZ Alkmaar fans were on their feet, chanting Benjamin’s na.
The young winger clapped in acknowledgnt before jogging to his position.
[That was a statent,] Mike said. [He’s just co on, and already he’s showing confidence. SC Veendam’s defense is in for a long, long final stretch]
[And if AZ Alkmaar keeps pushing like this,] his co-comntator added, [double digits might just be a matter of ti]
The ga wasn’t over yet. And with these fresh legs on the field, the final Chapters were still being written.
Overtoom placed the ball at the corner flag, taking a deep breath as he glanced toward the 18 yard box.
The AZ Alkmaar players crowded the penalty area, jostling for position, while SC Veendam’s defenders clung onto their marks, desperation written across their faces.
[Big chance here for the n in red and white,] Mike said, his voice steady with anticipation. [AZ Alkmaar knocking on the door again. Can they finally break through to double figures?]
Overtoom raised his arm before swinging in a fierce, curling delivery toward the penalty spot. The ball cut through the air, dipping dangerously as bodies crashed together in a sea of red and yellow jerseys.
[That’s a wicked ball in from the Dutchman—]
The new boy, Fernando Lewis, powered his way through the central defenders of SC Veendam, rising above the pack to et it. His forehead connected cleanly, driving the ball toward the bottom corner.
[Fernando Lewis with the header—]
Nienhuis reacted instinctively, diving low to his right. His fingertips grazed the ball just enough to push it onto the post.
[Unbelievable save!] the co-comntator shouted. [Nienhuis is keeping his team in this single-handedly!]
The rebound fell into a chaotic scramble. Benjamin, who was lurking near the edge of the 18 yard box, pounced first.
With a sharp touch, he pushed the ball away from a lunging marker, setting himself up for a bullet strike.
[It’s still alive—Benjamin Rijkaard!]
He struck it cleanly, a venomous shot slicing through the defenders.
THUD!
A last-ditch block from an SC Veendam defender sent the ball spinning away, deflecting out toward the right flank.
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