The field was set, every player locked into position. At the center circle, the ball rested beneath the boot of an Iraqi forward.
A heavy silence settled over the stadium as the crowd held its breath. On the pitch, the players stood sharp and ready, while Coach Kento watched motionless from the dugout, his gaze razor-focused.
The referee raised the whistle to his lips and blew a sharp blast.
The Iraqi forward immediately tapped the ball backward to kick off the match, where they began moving it carefully among themselves, keeping their passes short and safe to hold off the Japanese press. They weren't rushing, just probing, feeling out the pitch.
The first eight minutes ticked away with Iraq completely controlling the tempo, keeping possession and refusing to give Japan a single chance to touch the ball.
The ball reached an Iraqi midfielder who dropped his shoulder, scanning the field before charging straight down the middle.
