The Devertary United substitution board rises high,Cole Isaac is being replaced by Daniel Chris, who sprints onto the pitch with a surge of energy.
The match resumes. Ramírez makes a short pass to Ritter Lothar.
As he walks across the field, Shark's words echo in his mind
"Beacon of light… I'll show you,Ryan Shark what a true beacon of light is like."
Lothar swiftly returns the ball to Sergey Zhilin, who darts forward. Just as Deo closes in, Zhilin releases the ball to Vega, who instantly plays it back.
By now, the Maraford players have repositioned themselves tactically. Zhilin spots Gray and executes a precise cross-pass.
Ness was already waiting for Gray, who quickly slides the ball sideways to Vega. Vega bursts forward with remarkable pace, then cuts back with a pass to Lothar, who sends the ball soaring into the Devertary United box.
Marcel meets it cleanly, tipping the ball over Poker, but before he can shoot, Guwen Ramon rushes in to clear the danger.
The ball rolls out to Daniel Chris, who calmly returns it to Shawn Lucius.
Moments later, a goal kick is launched. Floxx Leon controls the ball mid-field, the perfect setup for a counterattack.
The Maraford players had all surged into Devertary's half, leaving space wide open.
Leon threads a swift pass to Ronoa, who whips in a cross to Delbris Axel. Axel flicks the ball ahead toward Shark inside the Maraford box,but Alejandro Ramírez lunges in, clipping Shark's boot. Shark tumbles to the ground!
The referee's whistle pierces the air as both teams rush toward the scene. Concern ripples through the stadium , the fans hold their breath, anxious for Shark's condition.
After a brief pause, the referee points to the spot , Penalty!
Deo walks up to Shark, urging, "Take it and make it a clean hat-trick."
But Shark shakes his head. "Let Ness take it."
Ness smiles. "Don't worry. I'll get the next one."
They all share a short laugh.
Shark steps to the spot, eyes locked on the goal. The center of the post seems to glow before him.
The whistle blows , Shark strikes gently down the middle.
Mat Akersson dives the wrong way , the ball glides smoothly into the net!
The scoreboard lights up: 3–0 in the 40th minute , Ryan Shark's hat-trick!
The stadium erupts in pure jubilation.
---
The match continues.
Ramírez's eyes never leave Shark.
Gray and Vega exchange quick link-up passes, slicing through Ness and Leon.
They push deep into Devertary's box.
Gray crosses , Marcel bursts through, unleashing a thunderous shot!
Shark throws himself forward, deflecting it mid-flight.
Poker recovers and clears it long to Deo, who sprints down the right flank.
Deo feeds Ness, who dribbles past Lothar with flair, slipping a sharp pass to Leon.
Leon surges ahead and crosses to Axel, who cuts horizontally and fires!
Akersson reacts brilliantly, parrying it wide, right into Shark's path.
As Shark reaches for the rebound, Ramírez slams into him from behind, sending him sprawling again.
He pretends it was nothing, but the referee isn't fooled ,Yellow card for Ramírez!
On the sideline, Ness murmurs to Leon,
"Ramírez has lost his composure."
Leon nods in agreement.
A free kick is awarded to Devertary. Floxx Leon curls it in beautifully, but Esteban Vega heads it clear.
The referee's whistle sounds , end of the first half.
---
In the locker room, Coach Molis Harrison enters, praising his team's dominance. The players discuss maintaining focus for the second half.
Meanwhile, in the Maraford locker room, tension hangs thick.
Coach Paulo Lourenço tries to calm the storm, but Ramírez cuts him off.
"In the next half," he snarls, "I'll destroy Ryan Shark and make sure he can't play again."
His fury infects the team. They sit silent, weighed by anger and the loss of their biggest sponsor, Anozira Airways.
---
The second half begins as both teams march back onto the pitch.
After a sequence of quick exchanges between Shark and Axel, they drive toward the Maraford box.
Coach Harrison notices Shark's sluggish movement.
Shark passes to Axel, who chips the ball over LaCroix Wilfried, but Shark mistimes his jump,the ball sails out of play.
The substitution board lights up. Shark glances back ,his number glows.
He walks off the pitch to a roaring ovation, replaced by Carlos Marcus.
Harrison shakes his hand.
"You did great. But be careful ,any more injury could hurt our next game."
As Shark settles on the bench, Ramírez smirks, a dark red-and-black aura flickering around him.
"So Shark's off, huh? Then it's time…"
His eyes narrow."…to dominate this match."