The stadium simulation room buzzed with anticipation.
Candidates from multiple groups had gathered around the large viewing screens. Word had spread quickly.
Daniel's next match was about to begin.
After his dramatic comeback against Harada, many people wanted to see what he would do next.
Inside the coach's zone, Daniel stood calmly before the holographic tactical board.
Across the field simulation stood his opponent.
Petrov.
For a moment, the two coaches stared at each other.
Petrov smirked.
"So you're the famous comeback genius."
Daniel shrugged.
"I just adapt when needed."
Petrov chuckled.
"Let's see if you can adapt today."
The system voice echoed through the arena.
MATCHDAY 4 — GROUP E
Daniel vs Petrov
Simulation Start
The field projection activated.
Players took their positions.
Daniel watched carefully as the match began.
At first, everything looked normal.
Petrov's team pressed cautiously.
Daniel's midfield controlled possession.
Then Daniel signaled the first tactical trigger.
His winger cut inside.
The fullback overlapped on the left.
The exact attacking chain he had designed.
But suddenly—
Petrov's defense shifted instantly.
The winger was blocked.
The overlapping fullback was trapped.
Daniel blinked.
"…That was fast."
Petrov smiled from across the field.
Minutes passed.
Daniel tried another pattern.
His striker dropped deep to pull a defender out of position.
Normally this would open space behind the defensive line.
But again—
Petrov's center backs stayed perfectly positioned.
The run was completely neutralized.
Murmurs spread through the viewing room.
"Wait…"
"Did Petrov just counter that perfectly?"
"Wasn't that Daniel's usual setup?"
Inside the coach's zone, Daniel frowned.
That's strange.
Petrov leaned casually against his console.
"You're predictable."
Daniel's eyes narrowed.
Predictable?
That wasn't possible.
Daniel changed tempo.
Quick passes through the midfield.
Switching play rapidly.
Searching for weaknesses.
But every time his team tried to break through—
Petrov's defense reacted instantly.
As if they already knew what was coming.
Twenty minutes passed.
Then suddenly—
Petrov struck.
A sudden counterattack burst down the right wing.
Daniel's defense scrambled to recover.
But the cross came in perfectly.
The striker connected.
GOAL
The system screen flashed.
Petrov 1 — Daniel 0
Gasps erupted across the viewing room.
"Petrov scored?!"
"Against Daniel?!"
Daniel stared at the field quietly.
Petrov spread his arms mockingly.
"What happened, genius?"
"You look confused."
Daniel ignored him.
Instead, he replayed the last few minutes in his head.
Petrov hadn't just reacted quickly.
He had anticipated everything.
Every movement.
Every trigger.
Every pattern.
Daniel's eyes slowly widened.
No way…
Across the field, Petrov smiled confidently.
But deep inside…
Daniel's mind had already begun working.
Because if someone could read his tactics…
Then there was only one explanation.
Someone…
Was leaking his strategy.
Daniel slowly smiled.
"Alright…"
His eyes sharpened.
"Now things are getting interesting."