Hopefully it's just cramps. We helped Le Ben wrestle his leg for a while, and he was finally able to stand up slowly. In less than an hour, the roof of the bench and the stands were covered with a shallow layer of snow. The other two juniors helped him back to the locker room first. The last few minutes of first-half stoppage time passed quickly, and we didn't bring on a new player, at one point it was seven. To be honest, not only the coach, but we don't know who else to replace.

It's not worse, it's a desperate situation. Heavy snow and the excellent performance of the Colonel greatly drained our energy, and Leben's departure cost us the last offensive weapon. Back in the locker room, the snow was still falling silently outside the window, as if it was about to bury the entire stadium completely. The warm room was lifeless, and now No. 1 Middle School may be a person who has not yet lost his breath but is powerless to struggle, allowing the earth and snow to slowly pour on his face.

But how can you sit still? We are alive, we still have 30 minutes to go, and more importantly, the score is still 0-0. You don't need to score many goals, you only need one, and one blow is fatal, and getting the first rank of general in a million-strong army can completely reverse the defeat. If it was that person, he would have said in the locker room at half-time, don't worry, leave it to me. Then, around the end of the second half, he would dribble up front, spin and spin and blast a thunderous shot at the last minute to lead his team to a 1-0 victory, as he had done every time before. We trust him, we rely on him, I just have to do my job and hold the door in the last minute.

But there is no such person anymore.

Maybe I can say to the coach that I'll play in midfield in the second half. I played last year, and I agreed before the game that I would play in this position. What's more, I am the captain, and I will be like my younger brother, setting an example with my own actions and taking the lead in carrying the floodgates of victory.

But I don't have the ability to do it, otherwise I would have played that position a long time ago. Before we were really introduced to the sport, goalkeepers seemed to be the only ones we played when we were playing around and losing punches — or people who didn't want to run, or people who were pulled over to make up the numbers. I'm probably the latter two. In terms of sports, I am not as good as others by nature, and I have no fighting spirit, let alone diligence. Actually, I probably don't love football much either. But...... Why am I thinking about this? At the moment of life and death, am I still making excuses for my hesitation? Time is passing minute by minute, this is standing still is a slow death, and I let myself, who is already the captain, stay here and still.

The phone rang. Someone answered the phone. At first, it was a little dull, but soon his eyes lit up, and he quickly stood up, and replied that he would tell everyone immediately. The call took less than a minute. For a brief moment, all eyes were focused on the caller, and found vitality in the look on his face, as if a soldier who had been unkempt in the trenches during the war had suddenly received a crumpled letter home.

The branch took a 1:0 lead away from home, and it was Jiang Xiaofei who scored. At this moment, Yue Yin came to this crucial news on another battlefield. It's like a shot in the arm that reinjects hope into our bodies. Victory, as long as a small one-goal win, we can successfully qualify from the group. Only when you have truly soaked every inch of your skin in the black water of despair do you know that every gentle breath is full of hope. Nothing is more precious than this.

"Coach, let me play in the second half!"

The coach looked at the person who took the initiative to ask for help, but did not answer immediately.

"We changed to a back three, let Luka and Miller go to the midfield to strengthen the attack, and Yan Xi went straight back to the attack." Not only did Mao Sui recommend himself, but even the plan for the second half of the formation was given, "We need to attack, everyone can rest assured, and the defense will be handed over to me and the captain!" ”

When Xu Mu said this, he deliberately glanced back at me, and his eyes were unwavering.

"Forget it, as soon as the main forces of the outer colonel come up in the second half, who can you prevent?" I don't care that it's Xuexue who says this. He took off his back down jacket, revealing a fluffy beige sweater, and his little face flushed with contempt.

"Huang Minxue! You've gone too far! Do you have to tear down my platform at this time? ”

Xu Mu seemed to be really angry, and he didn't say that he wanted to study, but stood straight in place, and yelled at him in a low voice, but it was much more scary than usual.

"Xuexue, how can you say that?" Ming Ming secretly tugged at the sleeve of Xuexue's sweater, and the other party unceremoniously shook off his hand.

"Wasn't Xu Mu able to defend against Mu Zheng alone? No problem! Miller was also helping her speak, "And after training so many times this semester, she's still very stable." ”

"Pull it down, whatever single defense Mu Zheng is, it's all blown out. She was guarding against Mu Zheng, who was just sick in elementary school...... "Xuexue said and raised Erlang's legs, his face did not change and his heart did not beat, and he didn't care what everyone's face was.

"You look down on people less! As long as I can get on today, I'll slap you in the face! Huang Minxue, I can be sure of you! Xu Mu glared at Huang Minxue fiercely, turned his head vigorously, and stopped looking at him.

Xuexue bit his lip, still with an indifferent expression. obviously patted him, probably wanting him to apologize to Xu Mu, but he turned a deaf ear.

"Is anyone else ready to play?"

The coach finally spoke, asking about the other substitutes. Zhao Rui was the first to say that there was no problem with letting him play any position, and the other juniors shook their heads one by one. It was warm in the room, but they shivered a little. The second half is bound to be our final white-nosed battle, and any attack or defense can make or break the battle. This kind of life-and-death scene is the first time we have experienced it, and I am afraid that we will be a little weak when we look at it from the field.

"Xu Mu." The coach walked up to Xu Mu and put his hands on her shoulders as if he was handing over a heavy task, "It's up to you." Let's go to the bathroom and change your clothes. The snow is heavy, don't wear too little. ”

"Okay!" Xu Mu looked at the coach with the most grateful and resolute gaze I have ever seen, and then went out with his bag resolutely. Another semester has passed, and as a regular member of our team, she has yet to play, and she can't even use the dressing room completely. But she's still holding on. Maybe she thought about giving up before, but she never really left and stood up with the bravest gesture at the most critical moment.

It's really too much to learn. I don't know if he looks down on Xu Mu or girls. Maybe just trying to make a joke? But it's also too anachronistic. But...... Learning shouldn't be so stupid or so bad. What's more, he and Xu Mu have been classmates and friends for many years. How can such a thing be said?

But didn't Pu Yun repeatedly "provoke" me today? Although his attitude and tone are much gentler than Xuexue.

"Koko." As I thought, Miller put her head to my ear. I whispered.

"I heard what Pu Yun told you."

"Huh?"

"You protect our gates, and I'll protect you. I'm not going to let you cry. His voice was soft, soft, as silent as snowflakes falling, but it floated in the brightly lit locker room with the warm wind.

"We'll win."

"Hmm."

"Captain, I'll do my best." Lukka walked over to me, his green eyes shining with a constant light. We snuck our fists together.

"The snow is flying in Guanshan, and the beacon fire is smokeless." "Shuoqi spreads the golden watch, and the cold light shines on the iron clothes." "The snow in the south of the Yangtze River and the north of the river is long, and it is easy to know the water and cold from afar." It is inevitable that these verses will come to mind when you walk through the narrow passage and return to the green field. The snow has stranged the world, and the things that are used to it have been cleaned up, leaving unstained whiteness. The snow is new and so is the world. Against the howling north wind, heaven and earth seem to have re-laid the stage for us in a decisive battle. [1]

"Jiang Yuan's No. 1 squadron was replaced, replaced by No. 32 Xu Mu, and replaced No. 11 Leben." After all, the MC of the other school still mispronounced Leben's surname, but the little guy who fought until he had cramps still stayed in the locker room to rest, obviously going to take care of him. Despite not being able to excel on the offensive end, Leben did his job with due diligence. At the time of parting, he struggled to stand up with his legs sandwiched between the stools and the ice, and pressed Luca's head tightly, as if he wanted to give all his last energy to his companion.

"Jiang Yuanwai's school team substitution, replaced by No. 7 Yin Rirong...... "The next substitution message makes me feel like my head has also been knocked out. The familiar figure picked up the junior with "KOOK" printed on the back on the sidelines, and still didn't say a word, and came to the field on the field with a flying snow like turning over a horse.

The opponent really doesn't want to let us go easily.

"It's the last thirty minutes. The branch is still leading, and success or failure is here! "Before the game, we gathered together in the snow as if it were the final battle before the battle. The fate that is held in the palm of our hands and constantly wanders, we must hold it firmly with our broken hands in this thirty-minute battle.

"The captain is right! Rest assured, everyone, go on the offensive! We'll take care of the rest! Xu Mu shouted very imposingly.

"It's still the same sentence: one in one will win!"

Piercing the stratus clouds and drifting snow, our slogan reverberates again between the vast sky and the earth, more uniformly than ever before. Walking back to the door, I suddenly saw the high flagpole of the Colonel, the flag waving in the wind and snow. "When the poor season is seen, one by one." At the last minute, you don't want to drop the chain. I didn't shoot the frame again, even though it had helped me twice in the first half. I patted my left arm, as if I was saying this to it, and as if to myself. [2]

The game is back! Wind, clouds, and snow intertwine in the sky, complementing the running and killing on the earth. After the change of formation, we finally opened up the midfield, and Ah Hui, who has always been diligent, became the commander of both offensive and defensive ends in the second half, and faced Yin Rirong head-on several times, relying on his size advantage to not give up an inch, which can be called a barrier. Under his command, Luka and Miller were also freed up to devote more energy to the attacking end. They actively cooperated with Yan Xi, and we finally had the opportunity to threaten the gates of the outer school. Yan Xi's diagonal pass to Miller was successfully received by the latter, and the No. 3's shot was once again denied by the junior with "Alan" on his back. I didn't see him in the first leg, probably he was only a second or even a third for the Colonel, but today he saved two of the goals we were bound to get. A save wasn't over as Luka's close-range effort was denied just outside the line.

After a couple of missed goals, the Colonel slowly regained control of the midfield. The opportunity to win with the small and the big and the weak against the strong is fleeting, and if you fail to grasp it, you will be crushed by the absolute strength of the mountains. The Colonel's offensive was wave after wave, especially when it came to catching the holes in our defense after our offensive losses. We have to get through this most difficult period of time, tossing and turning to the onslaught of our opponents and looking for another chance to strike the fatal blow. Xu Mu, who wanted to prove himself, was brave and extraordinary, and rushed to the first nod to clear the ball when defending several set-pieces. She brushed her hair to the back of her head and tied it into a crisp ponytail, the exposed head that had grown a little red and swollen from the high-speed flying ball several times, and she didn't care, probably not even aware of it. Lao Ye and Brother Chuan are also more decisive on the defensive end, and Xu Mu, as the drummer of the band, also grasps the defensive rhythm of the whole team on the court, and she leads by example to cheer for the whole team. In response, several of the Colonel's shots were also saved or confiscated by me, and with each successful defence, the defenders and bench shouted loudly to boost morale. In the heavy snow, everyone's fighting spirit was burning, and the flying snowflakes hit the frozen red cheeks and were quickly melted hot.

The Colonel's attack was once again pushed to the front, and Luka did not hesitate to run back to help the defense. He was very active on the left side today, contributing a lot at both ends of the pitch and what is even more commendable is that he is no longer as lacking in confidence and indecisive as before. It was probably his best game in a semester – he wouldn't have had to be so good that he could have gone home if his goal hadn't been stolen last time.

But fate seems to be playing a joke on him. If he hadn't come back to make up for it, or if he hadn't done his best to go down to the ground to block Yoon Il-young's shot, maybe the ball wouldn't have hit him by chance. The last time it was a miscalculation, but this time it is indefensible, and everyone can see it clearly. The moment the referee's whistle blew and pointed to the penalty spot, Luka hammered his arm against the ball almost in despair.

"It's okay, get up, there's still the captain here!" Xu Mu was the first to run to his side, pushing his constricted back.

Lukka didn't stand up, letting the snowflakes keep falling on his slightly quivering curls.

"Luca! It's okay! ”

Xiao Qi's voice came from far away from the stands.

"Get up, let's carry something together." Ye Ruiyang also walked to his side, as well as Brother Chuan and Mi Le, who took turns rubbing Luca's head.

"Leave it to me. I'm here, don't be afraid. I walked over, pushed everyone away, crouched down to Luka's ear, and asked, "Let's keep playing, okay?" ”

"Hmm!" Lukka pursed his lips and nodded vigorously at me, then bit his finger hard. I understand that sometimes when I want to shed tears, I quickly bite or pinch somewhere, and when it hurts, the tears will not come down.

"You must always trust the captain! Our captain is the penalty nemesis! When Luka got up, Miller put his hand on his shoulder and everyone accompanied him out of the box, leaving me one-on-one with the opponent who took the penalty.

The one who can take a penalty is either Pu Yun or Yin Rirong. Pu Yun's words are still understood, and Yin Rirong doesn't know where to play at all. I was speculating, but there was a change on the sidelines. Replaced was a junior with "Chians Uda" printed on the back, and he couldn't understand which Chinese language it was at all, but Luca probably knew. And more importantly, the players waiting on the sidelines. Number 9.

There is no doubt that Ah Hua was specially substituted to take a penalty. Beyond the wind and snow, he indisputably came to me without smiling or greeting, but just gave me a cold look and straightened the ball.

Since elementary school, I have faced Shi Zhenhua's penalty kicks countless times, almost never made a save, and after junior high school, he broke the door with penalties three times in a row. However, the failures of the past are not worth mentioning at all at this moment. There is no attachment to the way we came, and the only thing that can be grasped in our hands is now. Life and death are only a thought, the game is about ten minutes away, and the one-on-one from the penalty spot to the goal line is not only a game of technology, but also a psychological contest. Ah Hua is no longer the striker who always only plays the right hand of the goalkeeper, and I am no longer the same person I used to be. We don't need to be polite to each other, we don't need to comfort each other, I have to be stronger than my friends.

Come on! I was also silent, just jumped slightly, and opened my arms to meet Ah Hua's running towards the ball.

It was a howl that almost tore through the thick clouds, and the wind rose with it, and the snow flakes flew and fluttered as if from the earth to the sky. After countless failures, I guessed he was going to kick the ball to my left and pounce on it without hesitation. The ball was hard enough to be blocked with my left hand, and Luca slapped it in and kicked it off the touchline, leaving no corner for the Colonel.

Well, I patted my left arm approvingly. It did not fall, but as if it had been born again, it held on to the last hope for us. It seems that the goalkeeper is not the kid who doesn't achieve anything, and it is just as important to keep a goal as it is to score a goal. Maybe I love to stand in front of the goal, and that roar is my deepest emotion for it. Lukka hit me the head, and I slapped him the back.

We're still alive. The game is far from over.

[1] Quoted from Wang Wei's "Longxi Journey", "Mulan Poems", and Xiang Ziyan's "Ruan Langgui Shaoxing Yimao Heavy Snow Journey Poyang Daozhong".

[2] Quoted from Wen Tianxiang's "Song of Righteousness".