Chapter 108 - Portsmouth (2)

This goal made Southampton more confident. Portsmouth was still passive in controlling the ball, so Southampton could immediately snatch the ball from the feet of the Portsmouth players as soon as Portsmouth took the kick-off. Despite having scored, Southampton still played patiently. They know patience was key in dealing with a passive team like Portsmouth.

In the 26th minute, Southampton got a chance. The collaboration between Ryan and Benson, allowed Benson to penetrate Liam Walker's defense. After that, Benson provided a pass into the penalty box, but this time Gabor managed to head the ball forward. Shaun Cooper grabbed the ball, which Gabor headed quickly. Then he made a progressive pass forward. Wallace received the ball, at the same time, Rudolf came and did a body charge. Wallace fell, but the referee did not blow the whistle.

Rudolf immediately took the ball and passed it forward. Kazuki broke free from the offside trap. However, his position was too sideways, so Kazuki gave a first touch pass to the right. Rustan escapes from the guard of the Portsmouth defenders. Then he shot the ball casually. The ball went into the Portsmouth goal for the second time. Rustan immediately gave Kazuki a hug. Kazuki's pass that made Rustan score easily. Of course, Rudolf was also instrumental in it.

In minute 33, Portsmouth launched a counter-attack. This time, Shaun gave a pass to Portsmouth's left-back, Adam Webster. This player overlapped forward. When Freddy tried to keep him, Adam made a one-two pass with Izale. He managed to get past Freddy. Then he dribbled the ball diagonally to the center.

Ashley Harris quickened his run, he crossed Okhalo and escaped offside. Webster immediately gave a curved pass towards Harris. The pass was completed by Harris with a volley, but the ball flew over the goalpost. The Opportunities failed to be used properly.

In the 39th minute, Southampton had a chance, Bennet managed to escape from Wallace's guard, this made him able to provided a pass to Kazuki. Yassin M stuck to Kazuki's back so tightly, that this Japanese player couldn't turn his body, Kazuki could only return the ball to Bennett. At the same, time, Simone broke through the penalty box.

Seeing Simone's figure, Bennett gave him a through ball. Simone received the ball from Bennet, then pass it to the left. There was Ryan, Ryan then performed a fake shot, a second later he gave the ball to Kazuki which escaped Yassin M's guard. Then Kazuki kicked the ball hard. This time, Eastwood failed to anticipate Kazuki's kick properly. As a result, Southampton managed to break into Portsmouth's goalpost for the third time.

Kazuki immediately ran to the edge of the pitch and did a kneed slide while crossing his arms in front of his chest. The Southampton fans, who looked a small amount compared to the Portsmouth fans, immediately cheered and shouting Kazuki's name. Southampton had a 3 goal lead in the first half, it was very difficult for Portsmouth to turn things around.

"A very beautiful goal was shown by Kazuki. Southampton are 3-0 up against Portsmouth. Looks like the Saints are too strong for Portsmouth. Although there is still a second half, but I think the game is over. Southampton will win again."

Portsmouth launched attack after attack towards the end of the first half, but they failed to change the score. Until the end of the first half, Southampton still lead 3-0 over Portsmouth. Southampton and Portsmouth did not make many changes in the second half. The only thing that had changed is that Portsmouth was more aggressive in pressing Southampton. However, Southampton played down their formation, making it difficult for Portsmouth to snatch the ball by force.

At the beginning of the second half, precisely in the 48th minute, Southampton immediately counter-attacked. Dean Smith throws the ball sideways. Freddy received the ball and dribbled the ball across the halfway line. He provided a through ball to Rustan. The Southampton right-winger beat Adam Webster in a race of pace. He broke through the penalty box, when the Portsmouth goalkeeper shifted to the right, Rustan provided a pass to the left of the penalty box. Kazuki put the ball into the empty net in front of him.

Southampton extended the lead to 4-0. At this time, the Portsmouth supporters started to leave the stadium. They didn't want to see their favorite club slaughtered by their rivals. The players and coaching staff were starting to get sluggish. Meanwhile Southampton was getting hotter.

In the 55th minute, Johnny Ertl brought down Bennett in front of the penalty box. The referee immediately awarded a free kick to Southampton. Kazuki became the one who executed the free kick. As soon as the referee sounded the whistle, Kazuki kicked the ball.

Okhalo welcomed the ball in front of the goalmouth. His head bounced the ball into the corner of the net. Eastwood failed to catch the ball, so Southampton scored for the fifth time.

In the 59th minute, Kazuki was withdrawn to be replaced by Osmund. Because the victory in the match was in hand, George decided to save the energy of the core players. In the 64th minute, he pulled out Ryan as well as Bennet. Southampton began to apply defense and counter-attack. Meanwhile, Portsmouth look less enthusiastic in attacking Southampton.

The result in the 70th minute, Southampton scored the sixth goal. Hilton, who snatched the ball from David Connoly's feet, immediately gave Freddy a pass. The Southampton right-back did overlap forward. When Izale tried to stop Freddy, he passed Simone. The Southampton captain gave the ball he had just received far forward.

Kounde who came to to replace Ryan immediately bounced the ball into the middle of the field. Crage, who came on for Bennett, received the ball and then provided a through ball forward. Osmund used his pace to overtake the Portsmouth center-back, then he calmly tricked the keeper and scored.

Osmund's goal made the score 6-0. Portsmouth, who was 6 goals down trying to find a consolation goal. They didn't want to lose without scoring goals. However, Southampton, who always failed to keep a clean sheet in the last 3 matches, certainly didn't want to concede anymore.

The result, Southampton locked themselves in the penalty box so that Portsmouth find it difficult to attack Southampton. On the other hand, Southampton counter-attack was also threatening. As a result, the game entered a stagnant state. Both teams seem hesitant to attack.

This makes the game run boring. Until the end of the match, Portsmouth failed to score a goal. Finally, Southampton got their first clean sheet of the season. The result of this match also became the record for the biggest win in a South Coast derby. Southampton fans had a sweet dream tonight, while Portsmouth fans wished it was all a dream.

On the other hand, Kazuki resumed his super performance. He scored 6 goals in 4 games. Not to forget, he also scored several assists.. His appearances made many teams regret not going all-out in pursuing Kazuki.