In the locker room, Suker was receiving a leg massage from the team doctor.
He tilted his head to watch the TV, which was showing the state of the pitch.
It had already been over an hour since they entered the stadium and began warming up. After all that, their bodies had started to cool down, and still, the match hadn't begun.
These old geezers just couldn't keep their mouths shut. Each one had to co up and say sothing—praise this, praise that. It was enough to give him a headache.
Soon, the anthem began to play, and Suker realized that things were finally about to start.
Back when he was in the orphanage, this was always the final act—a way to liven up the atmosphere.
Despite being raised in a church-run orphanage, Suker had no religious faith.
And he didn't like this kind of stuff either!
In his eyes, many kids who grew up in the orphanage turned into ungrateful brats.
It was clearly the old headmaster who raised them, feeding and clothing them, but when they grew up, they ran off to thank God instead.
God, my ass!
It was the headmaster who gave you food.
It was the headmaster who raised you.
You don't honor the one who literally clothed and fed you but run off worshiping sothing imaginary? ( I am a Buddhist and importantly im a translator dont burn on a stake)
That's also why Suker got along with Dikamochi.
Dikamochi shared the sa views. Though he worked in a church, he was there just for a al ticket—and to keep the orphanage going.
If there were faith tests, Dikamochi would probably be burned at the stake.
"It's about to start!"Bilic suddenly turned around and shouted.
Everyone jumped up in unison.
They couldn't wait anymore. Way too much pre-match prep—it was testing their patience.
"We have to stay sharp this ga! Israel's national team isn't as weak as they look. Keep things steady and look for opportunities to score!"
As soon as Bilic finished speaking, Suker shouted, "Don't worry, Coach!"
Bilic turned to him and reminded, "Don't go overboard with the celebrations!"
Suker nodded.
Who knew if there were any religious extremists in the crowd—he was a little uneasy himself.
"Let's go! It's showti!"Srna roared, and the others followed closely behind.
Soon, both national teams t in the tunnel.
Suker saw the Israeli players bowing their heads in prayer.
It made him uncomfortable, so he turned his head away—not seeing was better for his peace of mind.
Before long, the players walked onto the pitch.
The atmosphere finally ca alive.
Starting Lineups:
Israel (4-4-2):GK: AlterDEF: Spenkin, Ben Haim, Gilson, KivMID: Benayoun, Badir, Bernardo, TalFWD: Katan, Itzhaki
Croatia (4-3-3):GK: PletikosaDEF: Srna, Simunic, Kovac, SimicMID: Vukojevic, Rakitic, Niko KovacFWD: Olic, Mandzukic, Suker
"This is the fourth round of the 2008 Euro qualifiers, with Israel hosting Croatia!"
"With Modric injured at his club, Rakitic will have to step up and lead the midfield. Of course, that depends on Bilic's tactical decisions—we're curious to see how he sets up the ga."
"Israel lines up in a 4-4-2 formation. They've been doing quite well in the qualifiers, and a win here would greatly boost their chances of qualifying."
Despite what the comntator, Krausevic, said, he wasn't too convinced.
Comparing Israel's squad to Croatia's—even without Modric, Israel didn't seem like a real threat.
Especially considering how on fire Suker had been lately, scoring goals at a ridiculous rate.
"With Modric out, the pressure falls heavily on Suker. Can he lead Croatia to a win?"
As the teams took their positions, the cara zood in on the Israeli players—faces tense.
They weren't looking at Croatia's half, but at Suker in particular.
The current rising star of European football—his presence alone added pressure.
Benayoun, newly nad captain of Israel and their only player in a top-five European league, understood this best.
As a West Ham United player, Benayoun knew just how strong Croatia's individuals were.
Any player in a top league was no pushover.
Especially soone like Suker, the lead striker at AC Milan.
That alone spoke volus about his quality.
Benayoun felt the nerves kicking in.
Even without Modric, this Croatian team was no joke.
But football is a team sport.
One man's brilliance doesn't win matches—overall strength does.
After three matches in the qualifiers, including one against Russia, Benayoun believed his team was in solid form.
There was a chance they could beat Croatia.
"Let's go, guys! Stay sharp!"Benayoun yelled out to rally his team.
The ga was about to begin.
Israel kicked off the first half.
WHISTLE!The piercing sound of the ref's whistle rang out.
In that mont, the Croatian players surged forward.
"They're off! The Croatian lads—they never hand over the tempo. They want to control the rhythm of the match."
Comntator Krausevic shouted with excitent.
Seeing the players charge like warriors always thrilled him.
"Push forward!"
"Pressure them!"
"Disrupt their play!"
"Left! On the left!"
"I'm coming!"
Suker and the others pressed hard up front, catching the Israeli players off guard with their speed and intensity.
Despite watching plenty of tape and preparing ntally, facing it live was a different beast.
Before they could even settle the ball, the Croatian players were already in their faces—literally.
"We're forcing them into the corner!"
"Boot it! Just clear it long!"
After only a few passes, the Israeli players couldn't handle it.
Center-back Gilson blasted it upfield.
The ball soared high, falling toward Croatia's half.
Israeli forward Itzhaki tried to take control.
But Vukojevic was ready—he jumped first, judged the trajectory perfectly, and headed the ball to Rakitic.
"Nice one!"
Rakitic caught the ball and praised loudly.
Vukojevic landed and shouted, "Pass it to Suker!"
Rakitic: "…"
Suker had already moved into an open area.
"Over here!"
Rakitic was reluctant, but he knew how important Suker was to their tactics.
So even if it annoyed him, he had to pass.
A simple through ball. Suker received it with his back to goal, flicked it sideways with the outside of his foot, and turned.
Israeli midfielder Bernardo was on him, trying to block the turn.
But he wasn't strong enough.
Suker muscled through, spun around, and left Bernardo behind with his acceleration.
"Oh~~~ Bernardo can't stop Suker at all!"
The comntator Krausevic cheered as Suker bullied his way past.
Suker wasn't the strongest physically—but that was relative.
Against the brutes of the top leagues, he struggled.
But against soone like Bernardo—similar height, heavier build—Suker had the edge in skill, experience, and technique.
After the turn, Suker burst forward with the ball, faked a long shot to draw defenders, then passed left.
Vukojevic followed up and took a shot from distance.
The ball skimd the crossbar and flew out.
Croatia's first attack ended with a shot—and gave Israel a real scare.
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