He pointed—
—no penalty.
The referee waved his hands emphatically. Play on. Leicester's bench erupted in protest, arms flailing in disbelief, but the referee stood firm.
For a split second, silence hung in the air.
Then a deafening roar erupted from the Cardiff end. Firdaus didn't celebrate. He simply clenched both fists and gave a single nod.
Kipré rushed over to Daka, offering a hand up. Daka slapped it away.
Ralls barked, "Focus! Still time left!"
Firdaus shouted, "We haven't won yet. Stay locked in!"
Leicester didn't waste a moment.
Winks restarted play with urgency. The ball zipped between Leicester players as they threw everything forward. Mavididi sprinted down the left while Dewsbury-Hall floated centrally, searching for space.
Cardiff sat in deep. Wintle and Siopis shuffled side-to-side in sync, forming a compact wall ahead of the back four, cutting off passing lanes and forcing Leicester wide. Romeo and Collins dropped even further, defending in narrow lines.
Firdaus tapped the system overlay.
[Instruction: Mid Block + Compact Width | Alert: Overlap Right Flank]
He shouted, "Romeo! Hold your line! Watch the overlap!"
Romeo acknowledged, eyes scanning as Justin approached again.
The ball was switched from right to left. Mavididi cut inside—struck a low drive.
Blocked.
Kipré again.
93rd minute.
The ball wouldn't leave Cardiff's half.
Siopis stole it once—only to get fouled immediately. The referee signaled advantage. Play continued.
Firdaus's voice rose again. "Stay compact! Two lines!"
Grant dropped back to support Collins. Everyone behind the ball now. Only one player stayed ahead—Kion Etete, isolated, chasing shadows up top.
A loose ball ricocheted toward the touchline. Romeo chased it down, earning a throw-in. He looked at the bench, expecting a time-wasting gesture.
But Firdaus motioned: "Get it back in play."
Romeo glanced at the clock, nodded, and hurled it short to Wintle, and they cycled it toward Siopis to relieve the pressure.
Even five seconds mattered.
94th minute.
Leicester had time for maybe one more attack.
Alnwick shouted over the crowd. "Everyone up! Hold shape!"
Dewsbury-Hall danced through midfield. Played a one-two with Winks. The ball opened to Justin on the overlap.
Cross.
Headed out—Collins.
It dropped at the feet of Ndidi. He unleashed a thunderous shot.
Alnwick reacted—tipped it over the bar.
Corner.
Cardiff fans screamed for the whistle. One elderly supporter covered his eyes with trembling hands. A teenager held up a phone with trembling fingers, live-streaming what could be the final moment. Others simply stood frozen, hands to their chests, praying.
Firdaus didn't move. He turned to Riza and said, "Make sure they remember their marks."
Riza relayed the message instantly.
The referee checked his watch and raised a hand.
"One more play," he mouthed to the players.
The referee pointed to the corner flag.
"This is it!" Ralls shouted. "Mark tight!"
Wintle picked up Ndidi. Kipré took Daka.
Siopis stood just inside the six-yard box. Alnwick adjusted his gloves one last time.
Grant and Etete guarded the edge of the box. Romeo tracked Mavididi drifting toward the near post.
Firdaus stood on the edge of his zone, arms crossed tight, eyes locked. His jaw clenched, but his breathing remained slow.
He had done everything he could.
The corner taker stepped up.
Hands raised.
The stadium buzzed like a charged wire. Every Cardiff fan inside the ground held their breath. A single chant—"Bluebirds! Bluebirds!"—echoed in desperation.
Whistle blown.
The ball swung in, rising in a perfect arc.
Rising.
Dropping.
Right into the chaos.
To be continued...
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