Chapter 192: A Surprising Lineup!
"First things first, let’s talk about the trivial matter, such as our journey to Sapporo tomorrow." The girl spoke, eliciting groans from the others.
"Really? After waiting for all these days like this? You are a cruel woman, Kumiko-senpai!" Kenji threw a fit, not even holding back his words.
"Yes, Kumiko-senpai, just announce the team already! We can talk about anything else later!" Hiroshi, the most impatient boy when it ca to football, also added, his face showed a hint of annoyance.
All of their complaints were killed imdiately with a single cough from Makino. Even though he didn’t say anything, the boy’s glare was enough to shut them up instantly, forcing them to be obedient like the good boys they were.
"Thank you, Makino-kun." Kumiko nodded gratefully at the captain. "Just like I said, we have to discuss so trivial things first, like our accommodation there. First of all, I have already secured 17 two-way tickets for us to go there and co back later, and we will be on a 4-hour train trip. So, please, don’t repeat the sa mistake in the last ga, okay?"
So of them flushed in embarrassnt when they recalled that mont. They were too eager to go for their first away ga of the tournant that so of them were basically bouncing crazily on the train, while the others gobbled all the snacks that they brought to contain their excitent. That was why, once the ga started, their performance was sloppy, losing all of their concentration beforehand.
"Secondly, Hokkaido University of Science for High School will wear their ho jersey, a pure white one without any combination color in it. To avoid a clash, we will have to wear our away jersey, which is why I prepared this for you guys!"
"Oh!" Everyone gasped in surprise when they saw a box full of jerseys that Kumiko had seed to hide before now on the table.
Honestly, this was probably the first ti they would need to wear their second jersey, and that was why all of them were so excited with this change of pace.
The jersey itself was in a bright, golden-orange color that would stand out like a sore thumb. However, everyone was still proud of it, since the color, known as ’sparkling jewelry box’, represented the warm orange streetlights and lights from buildings seen at night from Mount Hakodate.
Higo himself also nodded when he checked his jersey. It wasn’t the usual pale green one that he always wore, but a deep blue with a shade of grey on the collar. It didn’t stand out too much like the outfield players’ jersey, but he was satisfied with what he had right now.
"Damn! This is so fucking cool!" Fujinaga exclaid in awe. "I an, look at the detail here! The texture of the jersey as well! This looks like one that the professional clubs wear!"
"The color is too bright, but this is definitely better than our dull ho jersey." Kenji also gave his assessnt, still admiring the jersey with the number 15 on the back that he is carrying right now.
"Well, how is it? Are you satisfied?" Kumiko smiled.
"Yes, Ma’am!"
"Good, because once you are back in your seat again, we will start discussing the most important matter today, which is the starting lineup for tomorrow’s ga."
Right after that, gone was the festive atmosphere around, replaced by solemnity as everyone rushed back to their own chair without even being told twice. The silence was so deafening inside the room, as now, all eyes were on Kumiko, waiting for her to announce the list.
"Without further ado, let’s start with the goalkeeper. Like usual, Ryukkun will be there for us."
Higo didn’t show any massive reaction, just nodding slightly at the girl. He knew full well that he was going to be selected for this list, so there was no need for a massive celebration.
"Defenders, Hori-kun, Jun-kun, Ishinori-kun, and Hori-kun."
So of them were surprised when they heard this. After all, usually, one of the twins would be put on the pitch from the start, especially since their ability was top-notch; so even said that they were better than the original two full-backs. However, this was nothing compared to their reaction next, as Kumiko announced the list of midfielders to play tomorrow.
"Fujinaga-kun, Usami-kun, Denji-kun, and Denki-kun."
Takaaki was not there, and with both twins on the pitch together, that ant one of the strikers would have to start on the bench tomorrow. This was a massive change, but anyone who was calm enough to think would be able to figure out what she was trying to do.
’Kumiko-chan is building a team to pressure the opponent’s possession ga from the start.’ Higo muttered in realization. ’He wants all the players who can run for a full ga without getting tired, and while Takaaki is a good technical midfielder, his mobility is lacking. That ans, the attackers will be...’
"Hiroshi-kun and Yuji-kun, you both will be our strikers tomorrow." Kumiko finished her announcent, and right after that, hell broke loose.
"Shit! Takaaki and Kuroki-senpai are not there?! What is going on?!"
"Hey, twins! Anything to say?!"
"Don’t put pressure on them like that, Idiot! They deserve their position!"
"Okay, enough, everyone!" Kumiko suddenly raised her voice, silencing the crowd in one go. Once everything cald down, though, she started her explanation, which was exactly the sa as what Higo thought earlier.
"This might look like a gamble for you, but this classic 4-4-2 formation is not sothing you guys are foreign to. I an, isn’t this what you have been training for in the last couple of days? Enforcing the flanks with the twins, Hori-kun, and Ishinori-kun, while also keeping the most mobile players in the midfield?"
Well, when they recalled their training in the last couple of days, indeed, the situation didn’t feel as terrible as it looked. The only downside was that they only had two midfielders on the pitch, getting completely outnumbered by the opponent. However, with all the runners that Kumiko put, they would all run for the rest of the ga like a pack of hungry hounds, so the girl wasn’t really worried about this.
"Tomorrow is our first test before we go to Sapporo Do again," Kumiko spoke one last ti before she closed the eting. "This will not be easy, but I believe that our quality is better. So, let’s grab the win and get a ticket to the promised land!"
"Hell, yeah!"
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