The training field was quiet that evening.
Most candidates had already returned to their dorms after reviewing their upcoming Matchday 4 opponents.
But one coach remained.
Petrov stood alone near the edge of the pitch, staring at the digital scoreboard.
GROUP E STANDINGS
Martins Adeyemi — 9 pts Mendes — 7 pts Daniel — 7pts Ibrahim sule — 5pts Harada — 4 pts Okoye — 4 pt Farouk — 3 pt Silva — 3 pts Adisa — 1 pts Petrov — 0 pts
Petrov clenched his fists.
Zero points.
Three matches.
Three losses.
Every match had been worse than the last.
He looked down at the tablet in his hand.
MATCHDAY 4
Daniel vs Petrov
Petrov scoffed bitterly.
"So now I face the comeback genius."
Daniel's name had been echoing across the facility since the Harada match.
The coach who overturned a 4–2 deficit.
The coach whose tactics were now being analyzed everywhere.
Petrov sighed.
"Great. Just great."
Footsteps echoed behind him.
Petrov turned sharply.
Farouk walked toward him slowly, hands in his pockets.
Petrov frowned.
"What do you want?"
Farouk smiled casually.
"I came to help."
Petrov let out a dry laugh.
"Help? From a rival coach?"
Farouk stopped a few steps away.
"Let's be honest. You're desperate."
Petrov's expression hardened.
Farouk continued calmly.
"You're last place in the group. Another loss and your chances of advancing are practically dead."
Silence hung in the air.
Petrov didn't deny it.
Farouk tilted his head slightly.
"But what if you didn't have to fight blindly?"
Petrov narrowed his eyes.
"What are you talking about?"
Farouk gestured toward the shadows behind him.
Two figures slowly stepped forward.
They wore dark facility jackets, their faces barely visible under the dim lights.
One of them held a tablet.
The screen activated.
A holographic pitch appeared.
Petrov immediately recognized it.
"…That's…"
The figure spoke quietly.
"Daniel's tactical board."
Petrov's eyes widened.
The hologram displayed Daniel's formation.
Player movement triggers.
Attacking patterns.
Pressing routes.
Every tactical detail.
Petrov stared at the screen in disbelief.
"How did you get this?"
Farouk smirked.
"You don't need to worry about that."
He crossed his arms.
"What matters is that now you know exactly how he plays."
The screen replayed Daniel's attacking chain again.
Winger cutting inside.
Fullback overlapping.
Striker dropping deep.
Petrov's mind raced.
With this information…
He could prepare the perfect counter.
Farouk leaned closer.
"So, Petrov…"
"…do you want to stay last place?"
Petrov remained silent.
The second shadowed figure finally spoke.
"Use this information wisely."
His voice was calm.
"Or don't."
"It doesn't matter to us."
Petrov looked between them.
Then back at the screen.
Daniel's tactics continued replaying.
Slowly…
A smile formed on Petrov's face.
"…Fine."
He picked up the tablet.
"If the genius wants to play chess…"
Petrov's eyes gleamed.
"…then I'll start the match three moves ahead."