7
BURSAR'S NEW HERO!!!
"Strip," the manager said as he got back to the dug out.
The midfield coach followed him with a tactical board. Anderson's heart began to beat wildly. It was really happening!!!
The Bursa Artatuk wasn't at it's best but the crowd was still loud, trying to force their team back into the game. The stadium was a sea of green, this was what he had always wanted, what he had always dreamed of. This was his paradise.
"We want you to stick behind Batalla. Watch the passing lanes and try to stop them from hitting us on the counter like they have. Drop back to pick the ball from the defense and get it to Batalla. Don't lose the ball like Cimsir has, we believe in you kid go get them."
Adrenaline began coursing through Anderson's body. He could barely hear the instructions but he did know one thing, at the end of the day the ball had to hit the back of the net.
"Don't forget to lift your head kid," the manager told him at the touchline.
Anderson looked to the pitch. This was the chance he had been praying for. It was his time now.
***
"Looks like we're going to have another debut today, young Cetin Anderson is set to come on for new signing Huseyin Cimsir."
"Yeah, Cimsir really hasn't been it today. Good ball winning but has been way off the pace in possession. They need more control which I suspect is why they've decided to bring on the kid. A lot of pressure wearing the green and white as a graduate. Lot's of big names, loads of cult heroes, a lot of legends he'll hope to find a place among them."
"Substition Bursaspor, coming out number ,Huyusen Cimsir, coming on for his debut number 73, Cetin Andersooon."
53'
"Well the time is here. And already the youngster is proving his worth stealing the ball and pushing foward. This is what they have been missing, someone who can push foward and keep hold of the ball. Batalla takes up a dangerous position in the final third. Recieves the ball and touches back into Anderson who shifts it into the wing. Bursa immediately more dangerous, the strikers jostle for position as they wait for the ball to be whipped inside…..foul!!
"The defender saw the winger was having to much fun their and cuts right across him. Clear foul despite the midfielders claims."
"Dangerous spot to give a foul there. Right outside the box on the right side. Could be a cross, could be an unlikely shot, lots to think about for the goalkeeper. Batalla is standing over it, we've already seen the quality of his balls and his eye for a good pass, dangerous man to give this kind of situation."
"Anderson is also standing over it. Probably just a decoy, give the defense something extra to think about."
***
"This one is your's," Batalla said confidently.
"W…what?"
"I saw you take free kicks, remember. Just pick a head and aim for it."
***
"The referee has blown the whistle, oh Batalla jumps over it, ball into the box, Zapoctnyyyyyy…. goaaaalllllllll!!!! Bursa is level."
"Oh what a ball, you can see why Batalla left it for him. Pitch perfect. What a way to get your first goal contribution."
"Goallll!!! Bursaspor!!! Goal scorer number 5, Tomas…"
"Zapotocny!!!"
"Tomaas!!!!"
"Zapotocny!!!"
"Tommmaaasss!!!"
"Zapotocnyyyyyyyyyyy!!!"
"Oh my just listen to that. The green army is proper jumping now, the crowd is in good voice, I can barely hear myself think and they just tied the game. This is going to be a hard place to come to all season long."
"The captain isn't satisfied, he's firing them up to get another one and I wouldn't be too surprised if they do.
61'
"The captain leads by example and steps in to take the ball. Kasimpasa has been barely able to breathe for the last five minutes. He moves it quickly to Anderson,,, oooh what a switch, Volkan Sen picks it up and begins rushing towards the defense, simple ball into the box Yildriiiiim…..Goallllllllll!!! The stricker smashes the ball into the net and Bursa are ahead."
"If you thought it couldn't get any louder it just has. What a noise."
…
"And that's the final whistle, Kasimpasa didn't make it easy but Bursa managed to power through and grab the three points, helped along by their new hero. Cetin Anderson."
"What a debut. What a performance. Did not look a single step of the beat today. Bursa fans will be hoping to see a lot more of him. And honestly I do too."
"So do I. well from a bouncing joyous Bursa Ataturk we bid you farewell. İt ends Bursaspor 2 Kasimpasa 1."
Anderson walked past, getting congratulations from teammates and rivals alike. He could scarcely believe it. What a rush.
The captain led the players around the stadium to applaud the fans for their support. They were delirious, no one looked like they wanted to leave. Then amongst it all the captain pushed Anderson towards the crowd and they cheered even louder.
Anderson looked around. This was it. He had finally arrived.