CLOSE, BUT NO GOALS

"I never thought that number 8 (Nitta) could've set an offside trap, even though their opponent is Iwagami 'The King'", said Azuma, "Although Nitta isn't that fast, but he had a good vision. He inticipated what was going to happen...". "Kakegawa's has change their tactics...", Billy Reinhardt suddenly said. Akashi intercepted a pass. And with no one guarding him, he quickly run charging to the left sector. Kakegawa's defense is starting to loosen up. But Akahori was there again to save the day, slammed the ball out of the field. This is pretty weird. Seems like all the midfielders are pulled back to help defending, and with only 2 players, Toshi & Kazuhiro, at the offense. "Zone Defense!", Reinhardt exclaimed, "Their letting go their one-on-one defense".

With a formation like this, it looked like that they were going to rely on counter attacks or a blunder on Teiko's defense. Kamiya took the ball away from Teiko's possession and dribbles the ball front to start an attack. But Kamiya is surrendered by the defense, there is only 3 Kakegawa's player on their attacking side, Teiko pressed up on the remainder attackers completely. He saw Mahori running back from behind, and backpassed to him. Mahori continued the play with a lob pass to Toshi. No one guarding on Toshi. A promising chance for Kakegawa, can Toshi finish it? He lift his left foot and as about to give the ball a spin. Sraaaakkk!!! A defender came out of nowhere and stopped Toshi!

"Hey! Wasn't there anyone guarding Toshi?!", Kenji exclaimed. All Kakegawa's player couldn't believe they took out Toshi's possession. Teiko's position is kind of different. Their midfielder is a little closer to their defender and the distance with the offensive line was kind of farther. Oh! Teiko was also using Zone Defense!!!

"Demon's mirror", Azuma explained, "There was an old tactic in Chinese chess where you exactly imitate your opponents move. Teiko realized that this is the best way to face zone defense". Both teams were struggling to win a goal. Since both teams are using the same tactics, the result can be either ways. Whoever could take control of the midfield, & the first to be able to penetrate to the defense, they will win.

Teiko's turn to attack on the 20 minutes of the first half. Nakatsuji passed to Junji who ran quickly to the left sector. But Yano and Mahori blocked him out. "Damn. If this continues on, our defense can be penenetrated sometimes. I never thought Teiko would use the same tactic on us", thought Kamiya. "Teiko will definitely use an offside trap, maybe i can make a use for that".

Mahori passed to Ootsuka & he'll start another attack for Kakegawa. Ootsuka to Sasaki. Sasaki with a greater speed tried runs to the front. "Kazuhiro, run to the right wing", whispered Kamiya to Kazuhiro. Kamiya ran to the center. Sasaki quickly passed the ball to his captain. Toshi to his right & Kazuhiro to his left. Kamiya made an eye contact to Toshi. And out of a sudden Toshi accelerated and ran as fast as he could. "Number 10 is moving!", Keiko defender screamed and quickly run leaving his defense-line to set an offside trap. But Kamiya turned his body to the left and was about to kicked the ball for Kazuhiro! It was a decoy! Kazuhiro is a standing a bit farther from Toshi. "Quick, Kato! Run up!", screamed Teiko's defenses. Kato ran passed Kazuhiro & set an offside trap. "Big mistake", Kamiya said. Kazuhiro with an amazing speed turned 180 Degree and set his position beside Kato. Kamiya lobs the ball ahead of Kazuhiro. No offside! Kazuhiro from a standing 0 velocity, runs with an amazing speed leaving Kato behind.

Kazuhiro chased the ball, Kato fell down. He couldn't match Kazuhiro's speed. But Kamiya's pass seemed a little bit far for Kazuhiro. Looks like the ball is a bit farther, Kazuhiro might not able to reach it. The ball is gonna go out. It lands and the ground, and it spins backk!! Kamiya must've given the ball a chop kick. And Kazuhiro runs free! The first one to break the defense wall is, KAKEGAWA!!

Kazuhiro, One-on-One, with Teiko's goalie, Kusanagi. Kazuhiro runs closer to the goal, and Kusanagi approached him as well! He's trying to minimize Kazuhiro's shooting area. A bad move, Kyoko. We all know, Kazuhiro has his heel shot and he'll lob it over Kusanagi. As expected, Kazuhiro heels kick. The ball went over and bounces closer to the line. Sraaaakk!!! Iwagami was there and slid for the ball! Kusanagai had calculated Iwagami coming, so that was why he came closer to Kazuhiro. After all, he plays in AC Milan. Iwagami swept the ball away. But Toshi jumped straight with a piledriver aiming for the rebound!! Kakegawa had not given up yet.

Duaakk!! Toshi hit it. But sadly, didn't get a control of directing the ball & it hit Iwagami's body. It bounces up and it's coming back down. "I can still get another shot", said Toshi. He turned around looking for the ball. "Waaaah!!!" Kamiya was already gliding in the air & in a volley shot positioning! Only a couple of meters away from the empty goal. Kamiya kicked it! Bukkk!!! It runs toward the goal with a great speed!!! Kyoko jumps & dodge the ball to the side post. It bounces back and he caught it with both hands and clutches it. "You guys are fantastic. That was scary. But, can you take a goal away from me?", said Kyoko Kusanagi.