In the dressing room, the mood was a perfect blend of confidence and focus.
"I just saw the space," Emre said with a humble shrug, but he couldn't hide the proud smile on his face.
"And my run," Jacob Sørensen added, a rare, wide grin on his face. "Did you see my run? Like a majestic, slightly-slow gazelle."
The room filled with laughter.
Ethan stood before them, a feeling of deep, satisfying pride washing over him. "That was brilliant," he said.
"The goal was a moment of genius. But more importantly, we didn't lose our heads when they tried to kick us off the park. We stayed calm, we played our football, and we were the better team. The second half, we do more of the same. We keep the ball, we make them run, and we will find the winner. Don't get arrogant. Don't get complacent. Just be us. Go finish the job."
The second half began, and for five glorious minutes, Apex United was a footballing symphony.