"And it's another exciting gameweek in the Elite Frontiership."
"Tonight, it's I.Land FC versus FC Comoa."
"It's been nearly three years since these two sides last met. Let's see what the Yellows have in store for us."
Comoa's supporters, dressed in their trademark red-and-white checkered shirts, filled the stadium with chants. They possessed one of the largest fanbases in the league—not because of silverware, but because of the city's massive population.
"And Kibb returns to the starting lineup tonight."
"He missed I.Land's opening league match, but he's earned his way back into the team."
VROOOM!
Wearing their white away kit, I.Land stepped onto the pitch.
The stadium erupted.
"My God... are our fans really this loud—"
Kibb's thoughts were interrupted by Comoa's striker.
Belagus.
He laughed.
"You seriously think that's your fanbase?"
"Just because you dominated the lower divisions?"
Kibb frowned.
"Oh, my bad."
Belagus stretched out his hand.
"We haven't introduced ourselves."
"I'm Belagus."
Kibb hesitated before shaking it.
"Kibb."
"Make sure you gift us a few goals today."
A voice came from behind the Comoa players.
"At least this many."
Ricardio pointed at the number 7 on Kibb's jersey.
The Comoa squad burst into laughter.
"You guys looking for trouble?"
Shroder stepped beside Kibb.
"Because if you are..."
"We're more than ready."
Alexis cracked his knuckles with a grin.
"Oh?"
Comoa's number eight walked toward him.
"I've been looking for a fight for the last ten years."
Ricardio suddenly lunged forward.
Before anything happened, Samba grabbed his wrist and pushed it aside.
"We settle things on the pitch."
"Not here."
"Feeling tough, are we?"
A deep voice echoed behind them.
Bekar stepped forward.
He towered over Samba, easily one and a half times his size.
Before anyone could respond—
FWEEE!
The referee's whistle cut through the tension.
"Enough."
"Behave yourselves, or I'll start handing out cards before kickoff."
Then he turned toward Kibb with a grin.
"And you..."
"Try not to give away any goals today."
Laughter spread across both teams.
Even Shroder couldn't help smiling.
Alexis quickly nudged him.
"Quit encouraging them."
Kibb lowered his head.
The players lined up.
"And both teams are making their way onto the pitch."
As they walked, Samba gently nudged Kibb.
"Don't let those guys get inside your head."
"Just play your game."
Kibb nodded.
"This is another chance."
"A chance to prove myself."
"To get back to my level."
The commentator continued.
"I.Land currently sit fifteenth after Gameweek One with a single point."
"A defeat tonight could drag them dangerously close to the relegation zone."
I.LAND FORMATION (4-3-3)
GK — Dogo
LB — Andol
CB — Kibb
CB — Thrist
RB — Poker
LM — Alexis
CM — Riley
RM — Michael
LW — Jolar
CF — Samba
RW — Shroder
The referee called both captains to the center circle.
He flipped the coin.
"Tails."
"Samba."
"Ball or side?"
Samba studied the pitch for a few moments.
"We'll take this end."
The captains shook hands.
As Ricardio pulled away, he smiled.
"See you out there."
FWEEE!
Kickoff.
Belagus tapped the ball back to Ricardio.
Samba rushed to press him.
"Too slow."
Ricardio feinted forward before slipping the ball to Melphes.
Seeing no opening, Melphes recycled possession to center-back Grim.
Comoa patiently moved the ball around, drawing I.Land's players toward them.
Little by little, they advanced into I.Land's half.
Michael stepped in to challenge.
The moment he committed...
Grim threaded a pass through the space he'd left behind.
Comoa's left winger sprinted onto it.
Melphes overlapped outside him.
Andol rushed across.
Instead of forcing the attack, the winger calmly flicked a backheel into Melphes' path.
Without hesitation, Melphes slid another through ball down the line.
The winger reached it.
He squared it to the right midfielder.
First time.
Shot.
Top-left corner.
"What a save by Dogo!"
"The ball goes behind for a corner!"
I.Land's defenders gathered around their goalkeeper.
"Nice one!"
"Stay focused," Samba reminded them.
Ricardio placed the ball for the corner.
Kibb took a deep breath.
"Watch the ball."
"Stay calm."
The cross curled into the area.
"My God..."
"It hasn't even reached its highest point."
"How is anyone supposed to—"
Then he realized.
The cross wasn't aimed at a player.
It was aimed at the far post.
Belagus launched himself into the air, using Andol's shoulder for leverage.
He powered a header toward goal.
"No!"
Kibb reacted instantly.
He timed his jump perfectly.
But the header flew past him.
BAAM!
Dogo got both gloves to it.
"What?!"
Ricardio stared in disbelief.
The rebound fell kindly to Comoa's right midfielder.
Volley.
Bottom corner.
"No, you don't!"
Dogo threw himself across goal again.
Another save.
The goalkeeper landed awkwardly.
The goalmouth was wide open.
Ricardio charged toward the loose ball.
Kibb read his run.
"So that's your target."
He sprinted to block.
Poker and Thrist did the same.
Ricardio smiled.
"So naïve."
Instead of shooting...
He slipped the ball through the crowd.
Belagus.
Completely unmarked.
Kibb froze.
"It happened again..."
The memory of Vasquez flashed through his mind.
"Not again..."
"Not because of me..."
Belagus calmly cushioned the ball with the outside of his boot.
He drew back his leg.
"Please..."
"Not another goal."