Redemption

Darren stared at his father from the VIP section of the stadium with disappointment written all over his face, he didn't believe what had just happened and almost broke down into tears.

"Mom, did you see that? Dad missed it," Darren stuttered.

Alicia didn't respond and after a few seconds of observing her, Darren realised she was lost in thought.

"Mom!" He called again while tapping her arm.
"Darren, I am here. You don't have to be so loud, remember that we aren't the only ones here. What's wrong?" She asked and sighed heavily after.

"I am sorry, mom. Did you see that? Dad missed," Darren muttered.

"Yes, I saw it. He must be really sad about it as well," She replied.

"It's the end of the match and Glico FC continue their struggle at the bottom of the league. Unfortunately for them, George their latest signing in the last transfer window hasn't found the net after 13 matches," Commentator 1 announced as Glico FC fans left the stadium feeling disappointed.

"Losing isn't one of the things we know Glico FC for but it's becoming a tradition. The fans are anticipating George's first goal for the club and it might be the boost they need to return to winning ways," Commentator 2 and the chat went on for a while.

The stadium was almost empty but Alicia and Darren couldn't leave the VIP section because of what happened during the last match Glico FC lost at home. They were heading out of the stadium when an angry fan screamed at them because of George's goal drought since he joined the club.

George has suggested that they stop coming to the stadium but it wasn't an option for Darren who saw George as his hero and wouldn't miss his match for anything.

---

"Honey, we can go now. I am waiting at the garage" George told Alicia immediately after she picked up his call.

They joined George at the garage and Alicia hugged him immediately after she got there.

"Don't worry, this will be over soon. Please be strong for Darren," Alicia whispered and George felt a bit better knowing that someone still believed in him.

"Hi, Darren. Are you mad at me?" George asked the little boy who went straight into the car without saying hello.

"No Dad, I was just thinking about how my friends would tease me at school. They can be very annoying," Darren muttered and George had to divert the conversation just to make Darren happy.

It's been four months since George joined Glico FC and he hasn't been able to establish himself as a striker. He cost the club a fortune and everyone is frustrated because he hasn't made any significant contribution to the team since his arrival.

---

George spent quite a lot of time in the shower immediately after they got home and Alicia knew her husband wasn't happy.

"Everything will be alright," She assured George immediately after he stepped out of the shower.

"I know but it's taking longer than I expected and I could have rescued a point for us today if I scored the penalty. Everything is just falling further apart for me," George replied.

The chat went on and George explained the challenges he was having with the Glico FC board of directors.

"Honey, you can't give up now. I am proud of you so as Darren or don't you see how he brags about you everywhere he is? Keep putting in that effort and one day, you will be a legend of Glico FC," Alicia said to George before insisting that they go out for dinner at the family's favourite place.

A few weeks passed and George was still struggling with his inability to score any goal for Glico FC. It had become so bad that the fans of the club booed him whenever he got the ball during a match.

Rather than competing for the league title, Glico FC was stuck in the relegation battle and it had gotten to a point where their six last games of the season must be won.

"George, it's either now or never. Don't make me regret requesting the board to spend so heavily on you," Coach Parker said as the players matched into the match for the second forty-five minutes against Hakini Rangers.

Upon stepping into the stadium, George looked straight at the VIP section and saw Darren jumping with excitement. Alicia knew he was looking at them so she blew a kiss which was caught by the camera and the displayed on the giant monitor TV in the stadium.

Everyone at the stadium reacted and the commentator didn't stop mentioning the name Alicia until the second half kicked off. It was a goalless draw up to the 89th minute and Glico FC fans were evacuating the stadium as usual.

"Glico FC have managed to keep a point up to this minute but a point from the match wouldn't save them from being relegated to the lower division," Commentator 1 announced.
"We have five minutes of additional time," Commentator 2 announced immediately after the assistant referee raised the substitution board.

George looked at the scoreboard and shook his head. His spirit was down and wished he could be taken off the field immediately.

Play restarted and Glico FC's opponent launched an attack immediately.

A loose ball from George led to the counter but Nicolas, Glico FC goalkeeper was able to stop the attack.

"This could be one last push for Glico FC," The commentator announced and Nicolas launched the ball halfway to the pitch.

George got the ball and was able to drag himself to the edge of the goal box before he was tripped.

"FWEET!" The referee blew his whistle and awarded a free kick. The Glico FC coach insisted that George took it and he thought his day was about to get worse.

At that moment, the stadium was as quiet as a graveyard. George took the ball and watched his opponent's defence movement very well.

The referee finally blew the whistle for play to continue and George took the kick. The ball went over the defenders and they could only watch their keeper try but it landed in the top corner of his opponent goal post and the referee blew the final whistle.

Source

The noise from Glico FC fans shook the stadium and the world knew something extraordinary had happened in that match.

George didn't believe his eyes and broke into tears as his teammates gathered around him to celebrate. Alicia and Darren found their way to the pitch to join the celebration and they were all exorbitantly happy.

"The long anticipated goal from George eventually came in and he has given Glico FC a chance to fight for a stay in the senior league division," The commentator announced before the fans left the stadium to celebrate the victory on the streets of Glico City.