Soccer System: All the Skills, One Player!

Chapter 20: 19 - Hidefumi, The Best Defender

While the team celebrated, coach Mr. Yamamoto kept an analytical eye on the field. Time was running out, and the advantage Wushia High School had just gained had to be protected tooth and nail. He realized that with Yukihiro's injury and the end of the game; the defense needed to make a crucial adjustment.

"Guys, let's focus on defense now!" Mr. Yamamoto shouted as his players returned to the left side of the field. "We need to keep this lead! Hey, Hidefumi, get up and come over here!"

Hidefumi, a defender who seemed more interested in resting than playing, slowly got up from the bench. He looked a bit lazy, with dark circles under his eyes, and was an unusual player in that he always seemed to be in energy-saving mode. However, Hidefumi's skill was undeniable. He was the kind of defensive player who, when on the field, seemed to know exactly where and when to position himself to neutralize any threat with the least amount of energy.

Mr. Yamamoto gestured for Hidefumi to approach while a medical team from the tournament helped Yukihiro to his feet.

Yukihiro's face was pale with pain, but he smiled at Hidefumi as he walked over to him.

"Good luck, Hidefumi." Yukihiro murmured in a tired tone. "Don't let them score the equalizer."

Hidefumi, his eyelids drooping slightly, nodded. His face was almost expressionless, as if he was facing a minor inconvenience rather than a high-pressure situation. But deep down, he knew how important this moment was.

"Come on, Hidefumi!" yelled Mr. Yamamoto. "Play your game!"

Lucas looked at Hidefumi and remembered. In the future where Lucas lived, where he was just a salaried office worker, Hidefumi didn't get called up by big teams early on just because he was a defender and most scouts only paid attention to strikers. A few months later, however, Hidefumi had to change schools because his family had moved to Tokyo, so he excelled in the national league and worked his way up through the youth ranks of the Japanese national team to become a professional player in the J-LEAGUE.

Hidefumi took the field with an almost Zen-like calm, positioning himself strategically with a relaxed body, but his eyes were like radar, picking up every movement of the Karaso High School players.

The opponent's first attack came quickly, as Karaso High School needed to find an equalizer.

One of the Karaso attackers, a tall and agile player, thought he could get forward with the ball. Hidefumi moved to intercept, but he did so in an almost sleepy style. He didn't run frantically or make any sudden moves; instead, he seemed to float across the field.

Hidefumi slid in front of the attacker and stopped in front of him, looking directly into the attacker's eyes.

The attacker attempted a cunning dribble, but Hidefumi was there, blocking the way. He used his body to position himself correctly between the ball and the striker, who was trying desperately to foul him.

"That's right, Hidefumi!" the coach shouted from the bench.

"The most efficient way to buy time is to stop the game. So that's what I'm going to do today." Hidefumi said to Kuwabara, who just swallowed and nodded.

Kuwabara was afraid of Hidefumi because he had his own theory that Hidefumi was a zombie.

The next minutes of the match passed quickly.

Karaso High School had a solid defense, so they played on the counterattack. However, when Hidefumi came on, Wushia High School switched to a 4-4-2 formation, with only Lucas and Nishidaup front. This new formation brought visible stability to Lucas' team.

The defense was more solid, and the midfield could gain some possession.

As the match went into extra time, High School Karaso seemed to lack the same attacking vigor; their efforts were weak and disorganized.

Finally, the referee blew the final whistle, and the Wushia High School bench erupted in celebration of the team's first win in years.

Relief and joy were evident on the faces of the players as they hugged each other and celebrated the hard-fought victory.

In the stands, some spectators began to comment.

"Wushia High School really won... It's my first time watching this championship, but shouldn't they be the underdogs?" A middle-aged man asked the old man.

The old man smiled. "As a technical analyst, you should not be so attached to rumors, Fushiguro. Wushia High School has a history of perseverance and determination. Besides, they seem to have some interesting pieces this year."