My system allows me to copy talents

Conceding such a crucial goal made many of the players of Kawasaki anxious. But since they still had quite a lot of time, the damage wasn't irreparable.

However, even though it wasn't irreparable, it still left a bitter taste in their mouth.

Being the captain of the team, Asahi had to step up. The weight of leadership rested heavily on his shoulder, and he was well aware of it. Turning to look at the captain's armband tied around his arm, he graciously embraced his responsibility.

His team needed him.

"Keep your heads up!" Asahi shouted, his voice cutting through the air of disappointment lingering around them.

As they heard his voice, they turned to look at him.

"It isn't anybody's fault. We were just unlucky. Until now, we are playing well. And we still have time to turn things around. So, everybody let's stop sulking because we've got a match to win," he swept his gaze, looking everybody in the eye with eyes full of determination.

At the moment, his presence was commanding while his tone was resolute. He truly appeared as someone whom the players could rely on.

Witnessing such a scenario unfolding on the pitch, a smile formed on the face of Coach Tatsuya. For the situation as such, he had appointed Asahi the captain. And Asahi only continued to prove him right for his decision.

Asahi then walked toward Kazuki who appeared to be most devastated on the field, probably due to his error.

Kazuki however started sweating profusely. Asahi's words had been nothing but reassuring and encouraging. But he still feared that he'd criticize him for his error. He wasn't young like Hiro, and he had plenty of experience too.

But to make such a simple error in such a crucial match, for sure everybody would be disappointed with him. They weren't saying it, but he could feel their piercing gaze aimed at him. The situation was making him extremely tense.

His heart raced as Asahi got closer. There was nothing he could do, he was utterly helpless. He couldn't even stand up for himself, since it was his fault and he knew about it.

So, he just braced himself as he steeled his heart to face Asahi.

But Asahi's gesture left him completely bewildered. It wasn't what he was expecting. As Asahi got close to him, instead of scolding him, he gently tapped his back and said, "Let's show them what we are made of."

Let alone criticize him, he didn't even mention his mistakes at all.

For a while, he couldn't do anything but nod his head. So, when Asahi said those words to him, he just nodded his head without responding. It was as if he was pre-programmed to react such.

Only after Asahi walked past him did he realize that it was him who was making unrealistic scenarios. Sweeping his gaze around, he noticed that none of them were targeting him or staring at him. It was as if those piercing gazes he had noticed a moment ago were nothing but an illusion.

Realization dawned on him as he realized that none of his teammates were blaming him but rather it was him who was blaming himself. Everything was inside his head.

"Asahi is truly stepping up as captain. His leadership is exactly what Kawasaki needs right now." one of the commentators praised Asahi.

"Absolutely. You can see how he's lifted the team's spirits." the other commentator chimed.

Then as they regrouped with a renewed sense of determination, the game resumed. That goal was frustrating but it wasn't the end. After all, the match had only begun and there was much left for them to do.

Beep!!

The opposing players too didn't overindulge in their glorious moment as they reorganized and focused their attention on the match. They couldn't afford to be careless.

And as the game resumed, Kawasaki tried to charge their way through the opposing formation. Their passes were more fluent than ever while their synchrony was better than ever. Playing as a single unit, they dominated the ball possession.

Especially Ayato and Hiro, those two proved to be a headache for the opposing players. With their creative passes and synchronization, they wreaked havoc.

But despite all their effort, they still failed to find the back of the net.

Daichi's knack for reading the game came in handy as he mobilized his teammates efficiently to neutralize the opposing attack. Having a defender with such incredible ability, both Hiro and Tatsuki struggled miserably.

And the opposing team managed to defend their lead successfully for the better part of the first half. But at the last minute of the first half, something changed.

The same player who until some moment ago was finding it quite troublesome to get through the seemingly impenetrable wall of Kobe consisting of five defenders, did something remarkable, mesmerizing the entire stadium.

Cutting from the center, Hiro dazzled the audience with his marvelous dribbling as he broke through the entrapment of the opposing midfielders.

Leaving three midfielders behind, Hiro accelerated from the half line, heading straight toward the wall of Kobe without any fear.

Everything became silent as he started to dribble. The passive effect of the talent Clinical Finishing kicked in, allowing him to enter a flow-like state. He could see the entire field and the players. He could vividly feel all his senses heightening.

It was almost as if he had been shot with an adrenaline shot.

High on adrenaline, he approached the opposing defense. He could see countless threads toiling, running all over the field. It was as if they were showing him the way, leading him to his destination.

What was happening to him? He couldn't be sure of it. Neither was he interested in finding out about it at the moment.

But for some reason, he was convinced that it led him to the goal. The choices however were many, and he had only limited time.

Then while accelerating, he grabbed one of the threads. Just as he grabbed one, every other thread vanished. He had made his choice.