FOOTBALL! LEGENDARY PLAYER
Chapter 164: Brilliance

Chapter 164: Brilliance

In the sixty-ninth minute came a sequence that transformed the match’s underlying tensions into open hostility. Amani received the ball in a tight space with his back to goal, surrounded by three AZ players who converged on him like predators sensing vulnerability.

The trap seemed perfectly set limited space, multiple defenders, no obvious escape route. Through conventional perception, the only option appeared to be a safe backward pass to reset the attack.

But Amani’s perception was anything but conventional.

Through his Peripheral Vision+ ability, he detected a channel of space opening behind him that wasn’t visible to normal sight a momentary alignment of defensive positioning that created an exploitable gap lasting mere seconds. Where others saw only pressure, he perceived opportunity; where others felt panic, he found clarity.

Instead of playing the expected backward pass, Amani activated his De Zwarte Doos skill the "Black Box" that allowed him to manipulate space through micro-movements invisible to conventional observation.

A subtle drop of the shoulder, barely perceptible to spectators, froze the first defender momentarily, creating a millisecond of hesitation. A delicate weight shift, so slight it wouldn’t register on camera, caused the second defender to adjust his balance incorrectly, committing his weight in the wrong direction.

These micro-manipulations, operating at the threshold of perception, created just enough separation for Amani to execute a balletic pirouette between the pressing players. His body rotated with fluid precision, the ball seemingly attached to his foot by invisible string as he spun away from pressure.

He emerged on the other side of the defensive triangle with the ball under perfect control, having transformed certain dispossession into attacking advantage through technical brilliance and spatial awareness that defied his years.

The crowd’s collective intake of breath that instinctive recognition of exceptional quality that transcends club allegiance provided the soundtrack to a moment of individual brilliance that had nullified AZ’s concentrated defensive attention.

Even the home supporters couldn’t fully suppress their appreciation for what they had witnessed, though it was quickly buried beneath renewed urgency as Amani accelerated into space.

What happened next transformed the game’s complexion entirely.

As Amani broke away from the bamboozled defenders, advancing into open space with the ball under perfect control, AZ midfielder Adam Maher delivered a cynical trip from behind, sweeping Amani’s legs with deliberate force that sent the teenager crashing to the ground.

There was no attempt to play the ball, no pretense of legitimate challenge just frustrated retaliation against a fifteen-year-old who had made experienced professionals look foolish.

The referee immediately brandished a yellow card, the minimum punishment for such a blatant professional foul, but the damage had been done not physically, but psychologically.

The deliberate nature of the foul, its transparent frustration at being outmaneuvered by a fifteen-year-old, ignited something in Utrecht’s players that transcended tactical considerations.

This wasn’t just a foul; it was a violation of unwritten codes, a crossing of ethical boundaries that demanded response.

Captain Mark van der Maarel was first to arrive, confronting Maher with controlled aggression that carried unmistakable protective intent.

His finger jabbed toward the AZ midfielder’s chest, his voice raised in righteous indignation.

Within seconds, players from both teams converged in a tense standoff, accusations and counter-accusations exchanged with increasing hostility as officials struggled to maintain control.

"This has escalated quickly," the commentator observed, his tone reflecting the sudden temperature change on the pitch. "Utrecht’s players clearly unhappy with what they perceive as targeting of their young teammate. Van der Maarel in particular seems incensed by Maher’s challenge."

"It’s crossed a line for them," his colleague added with greater emphasis. "There’s a difference between competitive physicality and what appears to be a deliberate strategy to intimidate a fifteen-year-old. That challenge from Maher had nothing to do with legitimate defending it was pure frustration after being embarrassed by the teenager’s skill."

These assessments framing the confrontation within its broader ethical context reflected the unusual dimension that had emerged beyond normal competitive tensions.

Beyond tactical battles stood perceived injustice, the collective response to what Utrecht’s players interpreted as inappropriate targeting of their youngest teammate.

Throughout this confrontation, Amani remained notably composed. While teammates defended him with increasing vehemence, surrounding Maher with righteous anger, he simply picked himself up, adjusted his shin guards, and prepared to continue.

No complaints to the referee, no engagement with the escalating hostility just focused preparation for the match’s continuation. This wasn’t passive acceptance but strategic prioritization, the disciplined focus on performance rather than confrontation.

The System acknowledged this psychological discipline with characteristic precision:

[EMOTIONAL REGULATION: Optimal response maintained despite provocation]

[TEAM DYNAMIC IMPACT: Restraint generating 37% increase in teammate protective behavior]

[PASSING OPPORTUNITY: Free kick presents 78% probability of successful vertical penetration if executed with precision]

As the confrontation dissipated and play prepared to resume, Coach Wouters called Amani to the sideline for a brief consultation. The veteran manager’s expression remained impassive, but there was unmistakable intensity in his eyes as he delivered concise tactical guidance.

"They’re targeting you specifically," he observed, his tone reflecting professional assessment rather than emotional concern. "Use it to our advantage. Draw their attention, then release teammates into the spaces their focus on you creates. Their fixation can become our opportunity if we exploit it correctly."

This guidance tactical opportunity rather than protective caution reflected the elite competitive environment that viewed even targeted intimidation as a potential advantage to exploit.

Beyond concern for player welfare stood strategic calculation, the recognition that concentrated defensive attention created vulnerabilities elsewhere that could be leveraged through intelligent adaptation.

Amani nodded, immediately processing how to implement this approach. The System provided tactical reinforcement with characteristic analytical precision:

[STRATEGIC ADAPTATION: Opponent fixation creates exploitation opportunity]

[TACTICAL GUIDANCE: Increase movement frequency by 23% to maximize defensive displacement effect]

[PASSING OPTIMIZATION: Reduce touch duration to 0.7 seconds and prioritize one-touch distribution to exploit defensive overcommitment]

This comprehensive direction addressing both the opportunity and the specific methods to capitalize on it reflected the sophisticated framework guiding Amani’s in-game decision-making.

Beyond reactive adjustments stood proactive strategy, the transformation of apparent disadvantage into tactical opportunity through intelligent adaptation.

As play resumed, a subtle but significant shift occurred in Amani’s movement patterns. Rather than avoiding AZ’s physical attention, he began deliberately attracting it showing for the ball more frequently, positioning himself as a passing option even in congested areas, essentially offering himself as tactical bait.

This wasn’t reckless provocation but calculated strategy, the deliberate drawing of defensive resources to create space for teammates.

"Interesting approach from Hamadi," the analyst observed with growing appreciation. "Rather than being deterred by AZ’s attention, he seems to be deliberately drawing it toward himself. Watch how he’s constantly showing for the ball in areas where he’s sure to attract multiple defenders."

In the seventy-third minute, this approach yielded its first significant dividend. Amani positioned himself to receive a pass in a central area, his body language and movement pattern signaling clear intent to take possession.

The response was immediate and predictable three AZ players converged on him with magnetic inevitability, their focus entirely on preventing him from receiving the ball and turning.

Just as the ball traveled in his direction, with defenders closing in from all sides, Amani executed a brilliant dummy letting the ball run through his legs without touching it, completely deceiving the converging defenders who had committed their weight and momentum toward where they anticipated he would control the ball.

The deception was perfect, not just in execution but in setup the previous minutes of actively receiving possession had conditioned the defenders to expect the same pattern, making the dummy all the more effective.

The ball continued its path to Jacob Mulenga, now unmarked due to the defensive resources committed to Amani.

The Zambian striker, suddenly finding himself in acres of space where moments before there had been congestion, advanced into the penalty area with purpose.

His powerful shot required a spectacular save from AZ’s goalkeeper, who flung himself full-length to tip the ball around the post with his fingertips.

"Brilliant awareness!" the commentator exclaimed, professional detachment momentarily abandoned in the face of exceptional quality. "Hamadi’s drawn half the AZ team to himself and then completely deceived them with that dummy. That’s extraordinary vision and game intelligence!"

"That’s football intelligence beyond his years," his colleague added with equal enthusiasm. "He’s turned their targeting strategy against them. They’ve been so focused on stopping him that they’ve created space for others, and he’s exploited that perfectly without even touching the ball. That’s the mark of elite game understanding."

These observations highlighting the tactical sophistication of the deception reflected the unusual maturity of Amani’s game understanding.

Beyond technical execution stood strategic manipulation, the ability to transform defensive pressure into attacking advantage through psychological deception and spatial awareness that belied his fifteen years.

The System provided performance feedback with characteristic analytical precision:

[TACTICAL EXECUTION: Optimal exploitation of defensive overcommitment]

[INFLUENCE METRIC: Created 0.76 xG opportunity without direct ball contact]

[PASSING INTELLIGENCE: Dummy execution timing 97% optimal based on defender momentum analysis]

The pattern continued with increasing effectiveness over the next ten minutes. Amani would position himself to receive the ball, attract multiple defenders, then either release teammates into the spaces created or, when the ball actually reached him, use his exceptional technical ability to maintain possession despite the concentrated attention.

In the seventy-eighth minute came another sequence that showcased the full range of Amani’s passing ability. Receiving the ball in a deep position, with his back to goal and under immediate pressure from two AZ players, he appeared to have limited options.

Most players would have played a safe backward pass to a supporting defender, resetting the attack but surrendering territorial advantage.

Amani, however, saw possibilities invisible to conventional perception.

Through his Peripheral Vision+, he detected the movement of Utrecht’s right winger making a diagonal run behind AZ’s defensive line a run that wasn’t visible from his position through normal sight lines due to intervening players blocking direct view.

Without looking up, relying entirely on his enhanced spatial awareness, Amani executed a first-time pass of extraordinary vision and technical precision.

The ball curved around the pressing defenders and between two defensive lines, its trajectory perfectly weighted to meet his teammate’s run into space.

The pass traveled forty yards, changing the point of attack instantly and bypassing eight AZ players with a single touch.

"That is absolutely world-class!" the commentator exclaimed, unable to contain his admiration despite professional neutrality.

"Hamadi has just played a pass that most senior internationals couldn’t execute without even looking up! The vision to see that run and the technical ability to deliver that ball with such precision... that’s exceptional quality from a fifteen-year-old."

The recipient of the pass, momentarily surprised to receive the ball in such space, drove toward the penalty area before delivering a dangerous cross that narrowly evaded a sliding Utrecht attacker.

The chance went unconverted, but the sequence had demonstrated Amani’s ability to transform defensive pressure into attacking opportunity through passing range and vision that transcended his years.

The System acknowledged this exceptional execution:

[PASSING EXECUTION: Long-range distribution accuracy 98.7% optimal]

[VISION METRIC: Blind-side movement detection operating at elite parameters]

[TACTICAL IMPACT: Created 0.68 xG opportunity through single-touch distribution]

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