Chapter 22 - Swansea City U-23

Small club fans have something in common, they don't have high expectations. Especially when their favorite team competes in the premier league, of course, they don't expect unreasonable things like winning the premier league. However, at least they don't want to be relegated. Being a club that is often slaughtered in the English league is better than being the ruler of the championship league.

Just like most small club fans, Southampton fans didn't expect things that are too impossible to achieve. They just want the club to be able to maintain its existence in the premier league. They are tired of seeing Southampton keep getting relegated every time they make it into the premier league.

They feared that one day, Southampton would struggle to get back into the premier league and end up stuck in the championship league.

That's why at this moment, Southampton fans feel a unique feeling when watching the Southampton reserve team play. These guys are used to seeing Southampton play conservatively. They are used to seeing Southampton beaten badly. They are used to seeing Southampton waste any counter-attacking opportunities.

Kazuki's goal early in the first half sparked something that had been missing in Southampton fans. Passion for football, desire to win, desire to see Southampton triumph and lift trophies.

"This is football!! This is Southampton!!"

"This feeling is so good!! Even though they are only a reserve team they are also part of Southampton. Come on little guys!! Beat them!!"

"Defeat Jacks!!"

Kazuki's goal celebration was met with the roars of the fans, venting their frustration at the result shown by the first team.

This feeling was also new to Kazuki, the cheers this time was different from the imaginative cheers in [Dream Training].

"I have a good feeling this time. Let's make a big score," Kazuki said to his comrades.

Ryan Jr laughed and said, "I will also help, I think I will score a goal in this match."

"You can score after me," said Rustan.

"Attack the Swansea goalpost, leave the defense to me," The Southampton Under-23 goalkeeper responded to the desire of the attacking players to score.

***

The kick-off started again after Southampton managed to score the first goal. The presence of Southampton fans is also a test for Swansea City. Although the reserve team often competes in the main stadium, there are still people who are not used to it when their game is seen by thousands of people, who are fans of the opposing team.

In the 12th minute, Swansea City's attack was broken. Southampton U-23 immediately counterattacked. Ovrebo received the ball from the Southampton center-back, he then carried the ball forward. The Swansea City man attempted to press Ovrebo but the Southampton defense midfielder quickly passed the ball to Zhukovsky.

The Swansea midfielder brought down Zhukovsky with a clean tackle. He managed to stop the Southampton U-23 counter-attack.

Throw-in for Southampton. Southampton left-back throws in. Zhukovsky took the ball, he returned the ball to the left-back. Southampton left-back then overlapped, Swansea right-back tried to press Southampton left-back, but the pressing was passed with Ryan's help.

Ryan took the ball and stabbed it to the left of the Swansea defense. Ryan faced off against the Swansea center-back, Ryan then performed a Body Feint to trick the center-back. Even though it was only a fraction of a second, it was enough for Ryan to break through the center-back. Southampton's shadow striker then made a through ball.

Kazuki came from the side and received the pass, but Kazuki's distance from the goalkeeper was too close. With one touch Kazuki sent the ball to the far post of the goalpost. Rustan came and deflected the ball into the net of Swansea City.

Rustan, Ryan, and Kazuki pointed at each other with smiles. They hugged each other celebrating the great collaboration between the three.

"Ryan, I was surprised by the pass you did," Kazuki said. Ryan's pass was not aimed at Kazuki but at the space in front of him, this made it easier for Kazuki because he didn't need to control the ball anymore.

"Haha, I quite know your habits mate. I'm also surprised you passed it to Rustan."

Kazuki smiled, he could have scored the goal earlier but he chose to pass it to Rustan. "I felt there would be other opportunities so I wasn't in too much of a rush to score goals."

Rustan nodded, "That's right, next time I will help you back to score goals."

Southampton U-23 managed to score a second goal in the 14th minute. The good teamwork between Ryan, Kazuki, and Rustan made the Southampton fans cheer with joy. they completely forgot the last time they saw such beautiful teamwork like this in Southampton.

It didn't take long for Southampton to score the third goal. This time, Kazuki was far behind the Swansea center-back. He was in an offside position. But Ovrebo then crossed the ball to the right. Rustan and the Swansea right-back race for the ball. Because of that race, Kazuki who was in an offside position was now in an onside position. Rustan got the ball the first time, he then passed it in the middle to Kazuki who was positionally ahead against the Swansea center-back.

Kazuki brought the ball into the Swansea penalty box. The Swansea City goalkeeper stepped forward to block Kazuki's shot but Kazuki opted for a chip shot. The ball curled past the goalkeeper before finally entering the Swansea city goalpost.

After that goal Kazuki and Rustan had a shoeshine celebration, Rustan shining Kazuki's shoes made Kazuki look superior. Of course, this celebration is done with the consent of both parties.

"Ryan hasn't scored yet," said Rustan.

"That's right if there is a chance we can let him score." Kazuki nodded in agreement. Of course, if there was no suitable opportunity for Ryan, then Kazuki would execute the opportunity himself.

After this third goal, Swansea plays badly, the Southampton fan booing factor and a three-time loss in less than 20 minutes makes Swansea city u-23 mentally plummeted. Their attacks are disorganized, most of their attacks always end with poor quality long-range shots.

Faced with an opponent like this, of course, Southampton is getting hotter. In the 25th minute, Rustan who managed to get past Swansea's right-back was dropped roughly. Rustan was holding his leg screaming, it was obvious, he might have suffered an injury. Kazuki got angry and pushed the center-back who knocked Rustan down roughly. However, Ryan managed to restrain Kazuki from making another fuss.

The referee gave a red card to the Swansea City center-back. Meanwhile, Rustan had to be carried off the field on a stretcher. Kazuki had time to hand the ball to Ryan, for Ryan to execute the penalty, but Ryan refused.

"You haven't scored a hat-trick at Southampton, I think this game is a good match to start your hat-trick at Southampton," Ryan sincerely handed the ball to Kazuki.

Kazuki received the ball and thanked Ryan. Kazuki had good penalty kicking ability after many times he practiced penalty kicks in [Dream Training].

The referee's whistle sounded, Kazuki kicked the ball to the right. The kick managed to deceive the Swansea City goalkeeper.. Kazuki managed to make Southampton u-23 4-0 ahead of Swansea City.