August 7th, 2026
NorthWall FC vs Carlford FC
Commentator – "Welcome to the opening matchday of the Primera League Division II. We have the super team Carlford FC facing off against the modest Northwall FC. They finished in 2nd place last year and lost in the play offs, so their goal this year is to win it all again. The lineups are announced. Robin Silver is on the bench"
Robin stares at the match lineup list. He sees his name, but he is on the bench. Today's game is not going to be easy. Heck, these guys lost 7-0 to a Spanish 2nd division team. This game will be even worse.
The team gathered in the dressing room. Everybody sat in a circle with the coach standing in the middle. He has his usual attire – a suit. He looks nervous, but he is hiding it, not so well.
"Alright, listen guys, today's game is going to be tough. One of the toughest games this season. But we must start well. I'm not asking you to win the game. I won't ask you to draw it as well. All I'm asking is to lose by the difference of not more than one goal. Do not repeat what happened against Castilla. That was an embarrassment. But I'll allow it only because it is a friendly. I don't want that shit show again. Aaron? You control the game. I don't want you losing the ball anytime, anywhere. Have full control of the ball. Everyone, follow Aaron. Attack heavily through the middle since their fullbacks are their strongest and their centre backs are weaker comparatively."
Everybody takes in what the coach said. But Robin? He can not believe what he is hearing. A coach accepting a defeat even before the match begun. That's new. That's not good. All the pressure is on Aaron Doyle now. He must control the tempo of the game. One mistake from him, the game is over.
The line up is 4-3-3 with Centre Midfielders and one Central Defensive Midfielder. Aaron Doyle will have the freedom of playing upfront and his defensive contribution is spared as well.
The coach looks at the captain – Louis Mendez. "Do not make any rash decisions. Please do not sabotage the game. The team needs you more than ever. "
Martin pats Mendez on his back. Louis looks determined.
The coach then talks to the team's striker. Hugo Mendes. "Hugo, I need at least one contribution whether it be a goal or an assist. I need one contribution. That's all I'm asking from you. Will you do that for me?"
Hugo Mendes responds "Yes, boss"
"Good"
Then, he proceeds to pat him on the back as well. Hugo Mendes is a 27-year-old striker. Never scored more than 15 goals in a single season. Very selfless when it comes to assisting. Prioritizes team wins over his personal contributions. Robin had learnt everything about him. These kinds of players are good for Robin to have in the team, but they are not useful beyond that. They are not special, and they won't make it far. But one got to appreciate the team effort these kinds of players put.
A person arrives at the dressing room. "Coach, it's time"
The coach looks at the players and nods.
The players all walk out onto the pitch. The sound, the crowd, the murmuring, the cheering, the noise – All the players take it all in, embrace it, feel it to their last bone.
Robin joins the bench. He sits beside the other players. All of them have a stoic kind of expression which already tells everything Robin needs to know. They were expecting a loss. They are going to lose. Every member in the team believes that. By the atmosphere itself, Robin wants to believe it as well. Why? Because it is easy. Losing hope is Freedom.
Northwall Fc are the home team here.
The referee whistles and the game begins. Hugo Mendes kicks the ball.
"The first match of the season is here. Hugo Mendes with the ball"
Minute 2'
"Stilgar gets the ball, and he dribbles past one, two, and ah, he gets tackled. That's a fair challenge. Advantage to Northwall Fc"
Minute 4'
"Stilgar gets into the box, dribbles past the captain Louis, passes to the striker, and oh my god, the keeper saved! The rebound is cleared by Louis."
Minute 5'
"Carlford with the counter attack. Stilgar getting away from defenders so casually, passes to the striker Lorenzo. Lorenzo has an open chance and oh! He is taken out by Louis Mendez. The referee points to the spot. It's a penalty!"
Robin covers his face in disbelief. It's just 5 minutes and they gave away a pen just like that. And the captain did that.
Robin does understand that what the captain did is necessary, but he is disappointed at the team for the putting the captain in this situation.
"Lorenzo steps up in front of the penalty spot. His face looking calm and chill. The keeper is looking confident as well. And Lorenzo shots – It's a goal! Lorenzo converts from the spot and It's 1-0 for Carlford FC in 5 minutes. It's such a bad start for Northwall. I feel bad for the keeper more. Dean guessed right. Got a fingertip on it. But fingertips aren't enough."
Robin cannot believe how close the goal was. The keeper almost saved it.
Minute 27'
"Jacky has been silent this evening. He is dribbling awfully safe. And there goes Jacky, he passes it to Mash, Mash to Lorenzo, Lorenzo to Stilgar, and back to Jacky, and there goes Jacky, gets past his man - Julian, cuts inside the box, NUTMEGS LOUIS, and curls a shot, and GOAL. Jacky makes it 2-0 for Carlford FC. The crowd's not loving what's happening. Silence. That is a wonderful goal. The technique and the flashiness that goal had is insane. Jacky once again proves why he is one of the best wingers in the league."
Robin has no reaction. He is angry, but also kind of fascinated by the beauty of the goal.
Minute 43'
"Stilgar is messing with Northwall players today. He had complete control of the game. Stilgar to Mash, back to Stilgar and he passes, to Lorenzo and he is one on one against the Keeper, and he CHIPS IT. IT'S A GOAL! Lorenzo gets his second. Stilgar gets his second assist. What a pass that is. And what a goal that is. Stilgar is their most important player, and he once again proved why."
The players look lost. Doyle also looks tired. They expected domination, but not at this level. Last time, when they faced each other, the scores were 2-1, 3-2, 4-1, 1-0. Defeats, but not at this level.
Martin? He looks unfazed. It seems like Martin genuinely believes that his team will score 2 goals and make 3-2 loss. Robin can not help but chuckle at that situation.
HALF TIME
The atmosphere of the dressing room is moody. Robin sat in the corner. The coach is pacing around the room. Doyle is sitting in the middle, both his handkerchiefs hanging over his shoulders.
"Absolutely unbelievable. 3-0 by the half time alone? This is bad. We haven't registered a single shot in target this half. This is just plain humiliating. I need you guys to step in the next half. Score some goals. Close the gap."
Everyone groaned. None believed that they were going to win, but seeing this tactical coward getting fired is a good sight.
The Second Half begins.
The players walk out.
The crowd kept chanting NorthWall FC.
Robin sat in the bench. He knew his chance was coming. All he had to do is wait.
"NorthWall Fc trail by 3 goals in their opening game. Let's see if they can turn things around and manage a draw or at least minimize the damage."
Doyle is on fire. He passes around players, passes in between them, he has finally found the rhythm. But that wasn't enough, because the opposition's Central Attacking Midfielder (CAM) Stilgar was even more dangerous. He already assisted twice today, and wants to have another contribution.
15 minutes of even football with no goals from either side, and Martin wants to do a sub. He turned to his bench, saw Robin staring him back. So, he waved his finger at him.
Robin was waiting for this moment forever. He rushed to Martin in no time, but made sure that he wasn't being desperate. He tried to be cool.
Martin faced Robin. "I'm subbing you now. I need you to play safe. Do not lose the ball. Keep the ball with you all the time. I need you to make some inside passes to Doyle and he will take care of the rest. Contribute defensively as well. Do not concede anymore goals. Alright?"
Robin nodded fully aware that he wasn't going to follow any of those instructions.
Fuck the coach, huh? I will – that's what Robin thought. He stood there waiting for the play to stop. He could feel the presence, the overwhelming sense of responsibility for the crowd, and the pressure of representing a whole stadium of fans.
Sixty Second minute, the play stopped and the substitution board was displayed right beside him. It showed 11 in Green and 17 in Red.
Tobi Ajayi, an African winger sprinted down the pitch towards Robin.
They clapped fists. Robin stepped on the pitch like it owed him something. He enters the pitch for the very first time as a professional footballer.
MEANWHILE ON X:
@xixixi - There's this guy named Max from Germany, I'm telling you, he will be a legend.
@CFFC - No way NW are down by 3 goals in the first half itself lmao 😂
@Baralife - Paula Lopez came off the bench and completed 7 dribbles in 30 minutes, although he lost the ball thrice in important situations, he was a menace of the defenders.
@CrazyDoyle - Sweaty Aaron Doyle is so fucking hot 😭🤞❤️