THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
chapter-253

*FWEEEEEEE*

The referee blew the whistle, and the match restarted after the break with Viking Stavanger's kick-off.

The Lerkendal crowd exploded into thunderous cheers, drowning out every sound in the stadium. The atmosphere was festive in the home ground of the Troll Kids as the fans sang at the top of their voices to egg on their respective teams.

From the first minute of the second half, the Viking players tried to dominate possession by playing slow but steady passing football in the backfield. They looked much more comfortable than they had in the first half as they moved the ball from one side of the pitch to another without trying to mount an attack on Rosenborg. It seemed they intended to grow slowly into the game without taking risks.

However, the Rosenborg players didn't allow the opponents to do as they wished in the backfield. The men in white and black flooded Viking's side of the pitch like locusts applying tremendous pressure on their opponents.

They forced the Viking players to constantly play the ball long towards Rosenborg's half by utilizing high pressing tactics. As a result, Viking Stavanger quickly lost their momentum and stopped dominating possession. After that, the visitors found it hard to contain the predatory Troll Kids – who started dictating the tempo once more.

Rosenborg's two wingers were on fire in the early stages of the second half. Both Tobias Mikkelsen and Alexander Söderlund constantly made runs along the touchline that ended with teasing crosses floating into the Viking Stavanger box. Their wing play was impeccable and caused a lot of confusion within the Viking Stavanger defense.

With crosses constantly flying into the box like guided ballistic missiles, Rosenborg managed to whittle down Viking's tenacity by the 55th minute.

Spaces started appearing within the final third, and Nicki Nielsen, the Rosenborg number-9, started causing plenty of problems for the Viking defense and creating several half-chances. He was simply a beast on the striking line. He even came close to scoring in the 56th and 60th minutes of the game. However, the Viking keeper was alert on both occasions and managed to make incredible saves to keep the score level.

Zachary had heeded coach Johansen's advice and pushed further forward to support Nicki Nielsen upfront from the very first minute of the second half. He wasn't exactly at the forefront — but playing behind Nicki Nielson as a half striker to complete Rosenborg's 4-4-1-1 formation. He still had to manage his attacking midfield responsibilities while constantly making runs into Viking's box to bolster Rosenborg's attacks.

It was a tiring position to play in, especially during a highly competitive game. However, Zachary loved it since he could utilize his high-end stamina and endurance attributes, graded S- by the system. He was hyperactive throughout the early minutes of the second half, running at the defenders like there was no tomorrow. He didn't perform any spectacular deeds — but utilized his remarkable sense of positioning to pressurize the defenders whenever he got an opportunity.

Rosenborg looked more and more dangerous on the attack with him on the striking line. However, he didn't manage to make even a single shot at goal even as the game approached the 70th minute. He was clearly still having problems adapting to the pace of the competitive games in the Tippeligaen after his injury.

**** ****

Thomas Partey, Rosenborg's defensive midfielder, jumped high and intercepted another Viking long ball close to the border of the defensive third in the 75th minute. Without losing a moment, he flicked it back towards the backline with his head, delivering it to Tore Reginiussen, the center-back. The Ghanaian then stepped away from one of Viking's forwards before running into space.

"Pass here, hurry!" He shouted with a sense of urgency in broken Norwegian after taking a glance around the playing field.

Thomas Partey wanted to prevent his teammates from wasting time passing the ball around in the backfield. His only goal at that moment was to initiate another Rosenborg attack right away without wasting a second. That way, he would help his teammates sustain the pressure on the opponents, thereby strengthening Rosenborg's chances of scoring and breaking the deadlock.

Tore Reginiussen, the center-back, didn't disappoint after receiving the ball. He immediately kicked it back to Thomas Partey before the opposing center-forward could close him down.

Thomas Partey cast a fleeting glance towards the other side of the pitch as he controlled the pass from Tore. In a flash, his eyes took in the positioning of most of his teammates. All the while, his mind was processing the best outlet for the ball at that moment.

After spending more than two months at Rosenborg, he'd gotten used to the habits, weaknesses, and strengths of all his teammates. So, he was aware that most of them had a low probability of making much of an impact at that crucial moment since they weren't first-rate players. However, there was one player who was a unique entity — an enigmatic wonder on the team. That player had been a monster before he'd suffered an injury two months prior.

Thomas had watched that player perform feats akin to miracles on the playing field some two months ago. That was why he'd decided to join Rosenborg at the time. Thomas immediately elected that that player was the perfect outlet for the ball at that moment.

Without wasting much time, Thomas Partey raised his leg high and unleashed a long-range pass towards the other side of the pitch where Zachary was lurking.

**** ****

Zachary reacted immediately on noticing the ball approaching his position. He immediately ditched the Viking defender marking him — and set off after the ball like a wolf on the hunt. His near-instantaneous reaction helped him get to the ball just at the border of the final third before any other player.

By reflex, he stretched out his boot ever-so-slightly to bring the descending ball under control before it could bounce on the green. His ball-control was flawless, giving the impression that his boot was a ball magnet. He could have even given Lionel Messi a run for his money with the way he controlled the ball at the moment.

"Zachary, *clap*clap, Zachary, *clap*clap..."

The Rosenborg fans started singing his name after he expertly controlled the ball, boosting his confidence. Without losing even a second, he turned around with the ball hooked to his foot, skipping past an approaching Viking defender with a deft second touch. His movements were seamless, like a fish navigating the waters of a clear lake as he accelerated towards Viking Stavanger's box.

At that moment, he felt totally comfortable with the ball since he'd managed to create a few yards of space with his initial prompt turn. He even forgot his fear of suffering another injury as his mind took in the wild cheering of the Rosenborg fans. There was nothing else on his mind — except hunting for a goal for Rosenborg. He was like a tiger back in the mountains after spending months in captivity. He longed to unleash carnage on the opponents.

Zachary expertly kept the ball close to his feet while racing towards Viking Stavanger's box like a whirlwind. A moment later, after skipping past another opposing defender, he took the briefest of glances right ahead, trying to find a teammate. That was because he understood that it would almost be impossible to penetrate the opposing defense without the support of a teammate.

However, before he could find an outlet for the ball, he noticed the keeper off his line at that crucial moment of the game. It was like the Viking number-1 was inviting him to take his chances at goal from outside the 18-yard box.

Zachary had no intention of missing out on exploiting such laxity by the Viking goalkeeper. Without losing a moment, he slowed slightly and drew his leg back like a bowstring in preparation to fire towards the goal.

"Close him down, guys! Block him!" He distantly registered someone, probably the Viking coach, yelling in the background. However, that didn't make him rethink his intentions.

He swung his leg down like a whip, smacking the ball towards one side, with proficiency perfected from practicing in the G.O.A.T Skills Simulator over the previous two months.

"BANG!"

A soft smile outlined his face as he felt his left boot make the sweetest of connections with the ball, sending it on a curling trajectory towards the goal. It was like an arrow let loose from a bow, reaching incredible velocity within a mere instant. It floated over the defenders in the box before dipping slightly and curling into the top left corner.

Rune Jarstein, the Viking keeper, had tried his best to track back and save the ball. However, his efforts were fruitless due to the incredible swiftness of the ball.

1:0.

In the 76th minute, the deadlock had finally been broken. Rosenborg had scored first in the tightly contested match against Viking. Zachary could hardly contain his joy. He sprinted towards the corner flag with a finger placed on his lips to celebrate.

**** ****

"That came out of nowhere," Kristin heard Kjell Roar, the commentator, say with a sigh after the thunderous cheers started dying down. "With a bolt from the blue, Zachary has managed to catch the keeper sleeping and score Rosenborg's first goal. I have to admit I didn't expect that. That was some incredible stuff from the young number-33. That reminds me of the Zachary from two months ago. Harald! What's your take?"

"The goal was more than incredible," Harald Brattbakk, the pundit, replied. "Just when everyone was starting to believe that the game would end 0:0, Zachary goes ahead and unleashes a missile to score from thirty yards away. He's as sharp as ever when it matters, and his celebration says it all. With that incredible goal, he has managed to shut down all those, like a certain someone, speculating that he has lost his form after his injury. What a player!" Harald chuckled.

"Well," Kjell Roar said with an audible sigh. "I have nothing to say to that. Zachary has managed to net his 19th goal this Tippeligaen season. He's now tied with Frode Johnsen as the top scorer for this season. Indeed, what a player!"

"Let's not forget that Rosenborg has now moved to 68 points," Harald said, sounding excited. "If the Viking players can't come up with a way to penetrate Rosenborg's defense and score two goals, the Troll Kids will be crowned as champions tonight. That will bolster Zachary's chances of being crowned as the best player of the season."

"Well," Kjell Roar cut in. "If It were up to me, I would simply give him the season MVP accolade without going through the voting process. Time and time again, he has managed to prove that he's a class of his own throughout this season. He can still score even when he isn't at his best, like during today's game. He surely deserves the accolade. Let's hope that the award committee is listening." He chuckled.

"Weren't you the one criticizing Coach Johansen's decision to include Zachary in the line-up?" Harald queried with a bit of humor.

"That was then, and this is now," Kjell Roar said in a solemn voice. "I've already admitted that the boy is probably the best player in Norway this season. So, can you let me off?"

"Hehe," Harald chuckled. "Then, let's get back to the live-action. We still have thirteen minutes plus added time to the end of the game. Can the Troll Kids hold on to their lead and win the league today? We'll have the answer very soon."

**** ****