The whistle echoed out loud once again, and this time Jiho sent the ball to Raya, who carefully scanned the field before taking a few steps back and launching a sharp pass to Nagisa.
Having control of the ball, Nagisa surveyed the pitch for a fraction of a second before immediately driving forward. An Uzbek defender rushed across to shut him down, throwing himself into a desperate sliding challenge, but Nagisa kept his cool and his touch tight, gliding past him and leaving the defender sprawled on the grass.
From the flank, Koujin surged ahead on the left while Jiho trailed closely nearby, offering Nagisa clear passing options as Japan's attack broke fast toward the penalty area.
Sensing the immediate danger, Yasur and a central defender began dropping back in tandem, while another defender moved across at top speed to plug the open space.
Nagisa read the game in a heartbeat and without breaking stride, he lifted a delicate, looping ball high into the crowded penalty box.
