Harun began the counter-attack. He spun 360 degrees around the first opponent nutmegged the second, who was too eager to engage, then through-passed to a team-mate. He then picked up speed, making his way to box 18. His teammate knew Harun was the only playmaker, advanced or deep lying, on the field so he passed back with hopes that the Real-Manchester FC captain could work his magic once more. Harun saw the ball coming, but knew he’s outnumbered. The ball was coming fast from the East, he had an experienced marker closing in from his six and two hefty bulks from the North and West. So, he pushed it back to the right, barely escaping the 'Marker's death trap'. No time to congratulate himself, Harun moved the ball forward, letting his light gray jersey shiver with the cool evening breeze.
He was in the box’s semi-circle now. Naturally, this is when he gives Zion the pass to do justice to the keeper. But no, Zion was not here with his exquisite poacher skills. Benched with injury 11 minutes into the first half. These MFC boys weren't playing. So again, Harun has to face a death trap. The 'Defender death trap'. Much worse than the midfield markers, this involved four defenders strategically placed. But somehow, Merryside FC managed to enhance it. Five defenders closed in from every conceivable angle and then the keeper provided extra support from up ahead. It was like they had twelve players on the pitch.
"This play has to work." he muttered under his breath and then pushed the ball forward. His new addidas air X shone for all 99,000 fans to see. The loud crowd was mixed with roughly equally fans given or take. But they were all quiet now. They sensed something was about to happen.
He was at the penalty spot. Even sound stopped to see. All he had was a second and he knew it. They had him in that cage and it seemed nothing would work. Then he heard a beautiful voice in his head 'Trust me it said so sweetly. Harun flipped the ball high with his back of his left heel then surged forward with all the strength left in his legs. Stats showed his acceleration increased to a perfect 20 within that moment. He ran, but the defenders weren't worried. They were performing the advanced deathtrap which took an extra hour of practice every night. Their practice paid off. It caught Harun’s foot a couple of inches above the ground. The referee was on the reigning champions' payroll so they could be sure of no penalty. Harun fell, but her voice came again.
"You're an Angel, just...". His other foot hit the ground perfectly and he used both his hands to push himself up. Nobody could say he didn’t have composure. The legendary keeper grinned as if to say well done. Then he side tackled with his whole body. No one was sure he even knew where the ball was. All he wanted was Harun down and it was clear in his eyes. Harun counted on his agility and continued moving towards the MFC's number one.
Harun looked up and saw his ball returning from the heavens. It was beautiful. It was as if the gods couldn't resist such flair. But it would take a miracle for Harun to reach it. He jumped anyways, his 5’11 feet was not much, but he had to try. Even if it wasn't a goal, this was his greatest masterpiece yet.
"...Believe" her whisper came to him like a calming sea.
He closed his eyes, smiled for the cameras and believed. People testified years after, that on that day, they saw silver wings on his back. Then ball connected with his forehead perfectly and went straight into the empty net. It was wonderful. For five seconds nobody in the Shutter Island Park Stadium, dared move. The referee recovered first and scrambled for his whistle with urgency. Pay or no pay, history was waiting to accept this into its records. He blew loudly and the crowd awoke. 99,000 fans divided between two-time winners of the Oracle shield and first time finalists were for once united. They screamed and shouted and stood up to pay homage for what they had just witnessed. Everyone was in a state of frenzy. The only unhappy people were the players who would forever be known as the beneficiaries of such a goal. Before his brain could process it, his teammates had lifted him high in the air and were shouting as a way to exhaust the adrenaline that entered them. Even Jojo, the Real-Manchester keeper, ran from his post to come and praise Harun. The referee blew his whistle, signifying full-time. The deep-lying midfielder was most definitely a star now. He laughed till tears threatened to come out. He laughed because that was the best goal of his career. He laughed because this was the biggest Orecle shield final and pulled the highest number of fans, scouts and managers.
But he laughed most of all for one sad reason. Now they had to play extra time.