Matchday 3 had finally arrived.
The stadium arena inside the facility buzzed with energy as aspiring coaches gathered to watch the upcoming match.
Above the field, the system screen displayed the fixture.
GROUP E — MATCHDAY 3
Daniel vs Harada
Around the arena, spectators filled the viewing stands.
Among them sat Fatima and the group of girls who often followed her.
Fatima leaned slightly forward in her seat, her sharp eyes focused on the field.
A playful smile crossed her lips.
"Let's see what you do today, Daniel."
On another side of the viewing area stood Tunde, Ayo, and Chinedu.
Tunde cracked his knuckles.
"Come on, Daniel… don't mess this up."
Ayo laughed nervously.
"This girl looks scary though."
Chinedu stayed quiet.
His eyes remained locked on the field.
Meanwhile, in a darker corner of the stands…
Farouk watched silently.
His arms crossed.
His eyes filled with cold hatred.
"Lose."
He whispered.
"Lose badly."
The whistle blew.
The match began.
Immediately, the tactical battle became obvious.
Harada's team moved like a machine.
Short passes.
Perfect spacing.
Controlled tempo.
Her system was exactly as Daniel had studied.
Possession football.
Structured.
Patient.
But Daniel had prepared.
His players pressed aggressively when the opportunity appeared.
Then—
The first chain reaction triggered.
The winger cut inside.
The fullback overlapped.
The striker dropped deep.
A quick combination.
Through pass.
GOAL.
1–0.
The stadium erupted.
Tunde jumped up.
"YES!"
Ayo shouted.
"LET'S GO!"
Fatima smiled with interest.
Daniel stood calmly on the sideline.
Watching.
Observing.
Harada narrowed her eyes slightly.
Interesting.
But the game continued.
Minutes later—
Daniel's team executed another chain reaction attack.
This time even faster.
A cross whipped into the box.
Header.
GOAL.
2–0.
The entire arena exploded with noise.
Even the system display flashed.
TACTICAL EXECUTION SUCCESSFUL
Fatima crossed her legs calmly, smiling.
"Well done."
But on the opposite side of the field…
Harada suddenly smiled.
A slow, dangerous smile.
She whispered softly.
"…You fool."
Her eyes locked onto Daniel.
"The game has only just begun."
She raised her hand.
And everything changed.
Her team's structure suddenly transformed.
No more slow possession.
No more controlled buildup.
Her players exploded forward.
Wingers sprinted down the flanks.
Overlapping runs began attacking Daniel's fullbacks relentlessly.
Fast crosses.
Direct attacks.
Explosive football.
Daniel's defensive line began collapsing under the sudden pressure.
Goal.
2–1.
Another attack moments later.
Goal.
2–2.
The stadium went silent.
Daniel frowned.
But Harada wasn't finished.
Her team surged again.
Daniel's defense couldn't adapt fast enough.
Another strike.
2–3.
Then another devastating attack down the wing.
GOAL.
2–4.
The entire stadium gasped.
Fatima's eyes widened slightly.
Tunde grabbed his head.
"No way…"
Ayo stared at the field in disbelief.
Chinedu clenched his fists.
"What the hell happened?"
In the corner of the stands…
Farouk burst out laughing.
"HAHAHA!"
"I knew it!"
He pointed toward Daniel with mockery.
"You're finished!"
Halftime.
Daniel walked into the locker room.
The door closed behind him.
Silence.
His players looked exhausted.
Daniel leaned against the locker.
His breathing grew heavier.
His hands trembled.
No…
This can't be happening.
His chest tightened.
A wave of panic surged through him.
His heart raced violently.
For a moment…
He felt like he couldn't breathe.
But then—
Something changed.
Daniel slowly raised his head.
A strange smile appeared on his face.
"…Relax."
He whispered to himself.
"You don't have time to panic."
His breathing steadied.
His eyes darkened.
Then a different voice seemed to emerge inside his mind.
Cold.
Confident.
Egotistical.
"You're the one controlling this game."
Daniel laughed quietly.
A sharp, dangerous laugh.
"Fine."
"Let's play."
Second half.
Harada adjusted her tactics again.
Now she focused on defending.
Protecting her lead.
Control the match.
Kill the momentum.
But something felt wrong.
Daniel stood differently on the sideline now.
His posture relaxed.
His expression… almost manic.
The whistle blew.
The second half began.
Daniel's team attacked relentlessly.
The chain reactions were faster now.
More chaotic.
Harder to predict.
Then—
A sudden breakthrough.
A long-range strike.
GOAL.
3–4.
The stadium erupted again.
Harada frowned.
But Daniel only laughed.
A wild laugh.
"See?"
He shouted across the field.
"You're cracking!"
Harada's eyes sharpened.
Minutes later—
Another chain reaction attack.
Fast passes.
Space opened.
Shot.
GOAL.
4–4.
Now the entire stadium exploded with noise.
Tunde screamed.
"HE'S BACK!"
Ayo jumped in excitement.
Fatima smiled calmly.
But her eyes showed concern.
"…Daniel…"
Something about him felt different.
Something darker.
Harada's frustration grew.
Her composure began breaking.
"Press forward!"
She ordered.
Her team pushed aggressively for the winning goal.
And that's when Daniel smiled.
"Your loss, Harada."
She blinked.
"What?"
Then she noticed it too late.
Daniel's striker.
Completely unmarked.
Earlier in the play, the striker had dropped deep.
Dragging defenders away.
Creating space.
Now—
He sprinted forward.
Received the pass.
And ran straight toward goal.
One defender.
Two defenders.
None could stop him.
The stadium held its breath.
Then—
GOAL.
5–4.
The stadium exploded.
People jumped from their seats screaming.
Tunde tackled Ayo in celebration.
Chinedu raised both fists in the air.
Fatima smiled softly.
"…Amazing."
But her eyes remained fixed on Daniel.
Watching him carefully.
Meanwhile—
Farouk slammed his foot against the wall.
"DAMN IT!"
His eyes burned with rage.
"This isn't over…"
He glared toward the field.
But as he walked away, something lingered in his mind.
The way Daniel had laughed.
The way he had controlled the chaos.
Farouk muttered quietly.
"That…"
"…was the real Daniel."