Chapter 665: Half-Time Break

FWEEE! FWEEE! FWEEE!

Soon enough, the referee finally blew the whistle, ending the first half with a draw. Neither team managed to get an advantage, failing to capitalize on all the chances they created so far. This was a fair result, especially considering the players from both teams had already done their best with what they had in the first half.

Still, looking at the players walking into the tunnel, the supporters on the stand were just shaking their heads with a complicated feeling budding inside them.

"Scheiße! We should’ve been leading with one or even two goals right now! Nassim and Luca are not in their best state!"

"Be a little bit grateful, Old Man! If not for Higo, we would’ve been down by one or two goals instead, you know?"

"Bah! It is because Higo has done well that we need to secure a lead! I mean, can you imagine how he feels if we got a draw after all the saves he makes today?!"

Both Kumiko and Sakura stared at each other quietly, listening to the chatter around. The feeling was quite mixed in the air, with most of them being grateful that the team still hadn’t conceded a goal so far. After all, they could see the team was in a bad state, showing a lackluster performance that could be punished badly if only they didn’t have a super goalkeeper between the posts.

However, some felt like they deserved to be in the lead. After all, the team made several threats in the first half, and if the strikers were in their normal condition, they would be able to bag a goal or two. Well, they were not wrong, but they also had to accept the fact that SC Verl’s defense was also at its best state, even matching Schalke’s defensive energy to repel all the attacks from their side.

Still, neither girl cared enough about the debate in the air right now. No, if anything, their eyes were beaming in pride, especially whenever they heard someone mentioning Higo’s name in a praised tone.

"I know I have already said this, but your boyfriend is a big star in this town, Kumiko-chan." Sakura couldn’t help but squeal. "I mean, can you see those blonde girls with blue eyes on the front side of the stand?! They screamed the loudest when cheering at Higo! You have to keep your eyes on your man, girl! Those European girls will be dangerous!" She slapped Kumiko on the shoulder playfully.

Kumiko, who was currently chatting with Minami back in Hakodate to inform the woman about the current situation, paused for a second, her hand clenched her phone tighter than usual. She didn’t show any obvious reaction, but the little twitch on the corner of her lips couldn’t escape from Sakura’s sight.

"No, Ryukkun will never dare to turn his eyes away from me. However, you have a point here, Sakura-chan." She narrowed her eyes dangerously at those local girls.

Still, she had to admit that those girls were quite attractive, especially when they wore a smaller-sized jersey that highlighted the curve of their bodies more. While Kumiko was confident with her own charm, it would be a lie if she said she wasn’t worried here.

’Hm... Maybe, I have to think of a solution for this problem...’

Higo didn’t know that outside there, his girl had just experienced a sense of crisis. Right now, the boy was trying his best to cool down his head, trying to make sure that he could recover as much stamina as possible. The first half was quite difficult, and he was so sure that the second half would be more intense than before.

In front of him, the head coach was still scolding all the players who he found slacking off in the first half; his saliva even spattered everywhere, so whoever was in front of him had to flinch instantly to avoid it.

Of course, the main targets here were two people: Levent Mercan and Alexander Schopf.

The first one was quite obvious, since he made so many basic mistakes that threatened the team’s safety in the first half. Even without anyone noticing, the Turkish fullback would have to receive this hairdryer treatment for his bad performance.

As for Alexander Schopf, it was not so obvious. However, for the people who watched the game carefully, they would notice the problem with the boy’s presence on the pitch. Or... The lack of it, to be more precise.

Schopf was basically invisible in the first half, only receiving several easy passes just for him to send them back again to slow down the tempo. It looked like he was truly confused in the midfield, not knowing what to do. Not only that, in defense, he always failed to give timely support, and being a defensive midfielder, the boy had let so many threats from the opponent come without showing any effort to cut them off forcefully.

Honestly, it was a miracle that the team hadn’t collapsed so far with him basically sabotaging the team like this, so it was no wonder Frohling was so enraged right now.

"IF YOU DON’T WANT TO PLAY ANYMORE, JUST GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!" The coach’s voice boomed through the locker room, enough to make the ceiling shake slightly.

’Ouch...’ Higo couldn’t help but wince at the harsh words from the coach. ’Damn, he doesn’t even hold back. Poor man, I hope you survive after this.’ He looked at Schopf, who was so pale right now in pity.

Well, the boy couldn’t survive longer, because Frohling’s next decision basically killed that man. Schopf was getting replaced, and another defensive midfielder, Marcel Langer, would come to replace him.

After this, the head coach took a deep breath, trying to calm down the anger boiling inside him.

"I know that we are struggling in the midfield without Morita and Hofmann, but you have to remember that you guys play for Schalke II! Your aim is never in this team, but to get promoted to the first team!" He glared at the three midfielders sharply. "So, at least, show a better attitude! Show everyone why you deserve a chance to be in the first team!"