The ball was placed at the center circle. The referee raised his arm, looked to both sides of the field, and the next instant, the whistle blew, sharp and cutting. The gymnasium erupted in screams, and the regional champion was about to be decided.

Kazana, at the center circle, gave the first touch to Rodrigo, who quickly returned it. It was the beginning for Sanu, trying to impose calm amidst the storm that promised to come. The crowd's noise was deafening, each pass drawing applause, each body spin met with anticipation. Kelvin, wide on the left, waited for the first chance to receive, muscles tense like ropes about to snap.

But Zenkai allowed no breathing space. Biel, the team captain, advanced immediately, approaching Rodrigo with firm steps. The Sanu midfielder attempted a short pass to Ian, but Biel's shadow was already over him. The shoulder-to-shoulder clash was sharp, and the Zenkai player recovered the ball with authority.

"Come on, Luquinhas!", yelled Biel, launching the ball forward.

The younger brother received it in the middle, surrounded by Dante. With a light touch, he tried to spin to the right, but Dante stretched his leg and blocked him, the clash echoing like thunder. The ball escaped to the sideline, and the crowd roared at the game's first confrontation.

Kelvin ran to reposition himself. From where he was, he felt Luquinhas's gaze fixed on him, silently saying that every encounter would be a battle. Zenkai's number 10 smiled slightly and adjusted his socks before repositioning himself.

The throw-in was quick. Diego, the provocative forward, received it with his back turned, spun past João Vitor, and tried to advance along the wing. João didn't retreat, extended his arm, and stuck close to his opponent. Zenkai's fans called for a foul, but the referee waved them off. Diego laughed, despite the lack of space.

"Going to get tired this early, winger?", he teased, pushing the ball forward.

"You talk too much", João responded immediately.

The clash was hard, and the ball went to Murilo in goal. The Sanu goalkeeper controlled it firmly and signaled calm with his arms, trying to soothe the rising anxiety.

"Stay calm!", shouted Murilo, "Let's pass it, let's play!"

The ball went to Márcio, who pushed it to Oliveira. Sanu tried to breathe, but Zenkai's pressure was suffocating. Biel always advanced a step ahead, organizing the marking, pointing with his finger where each teammate should be.

"Close him down, Diego!", yelled Biel, "Mateus, hold Kazana! Don't let him spin!"

Mateus, the imposing center-back, stuck to Sanu's striker. Kazana tried to free himself, pushing with his body, but it felt like hitting a concrete wall. Each duel sent shockwaves across the field. Kelvin, alert, sought to get closer to offer an option, but the ball hadn't reached his side yet.

Oliveira finally found space. Dante received it in the middle, spun quickly past Luquinhas, and opened up for Rodrigo. The number 7 lifted his head, saw Kelvin on the left, and launched the pass. The ball traveled through the air, and number 11's heart raced. It was the first opportunity to attack.

Kelvin controlled it with his chest, bringing the ball to the ground. The stands rose in unison, sensing something could happen. In front of him, Diego retreated to help defend, a smirk on his face.

"I want to see if you're all that", said Diego, opening his arms.

Kelvin made a sharp cut inward, bringing the ball to his right foot. Diego followed but was beaten in the first step. Space opened, but before Kelvin could accelerate, Biel appeared like a shadow, sliding across the field with a precise tackle. The ball was snatched from his feet without a foul, escaping to the sideline. Zenkai's crowd erupted in applause while Sanu protested the referee's call.

Kelvin fell to the ground, breathing deeply, looking at the opposing captain. Biel got up calmly, adjusting the bracelet with the crucifix on his wrist. He said nothing. His silence was heavier than a thousand taunts. On the ground, Kelvin wondered who this guy was, and the system answered.

[Active Analysis: Number 5 – Zenkai Player]

[Skill Level: High Performance – High School Category]

[Highlighted Skills: Game Reading / Through Pass / Marking]

[Name: Gabriel "Biel" Andrade]

Dante ran to Kelvin, extending a hand to help him up.

"Get up, Kelvin. The guy is solid, but he won't stay like that the whole time"

Kelvin nodded, still feeling the frustration. Biel had calm, discipline, and incredible game reading. The kind of player who always seemed to be in the right place.

The game continued. Zenkai, now in possession, began moving the ball foot to foot. Luquinhas gave short passes, Diego moved between the lines, and Mateus stepped into the middle to ensure security. Sanu ran to cut spaces, but it was difficult. Every touch from Zenkai made their crowd louder.

"Go, Zenkai!", the chorus echoed

Rodrigo shouted to organize:

"Close the middle! Don't give space to number 10!"

Ian pressed high, but Luquinhas seemed to play, shielding the ball with his body and passing back to Diego with his heel. Number 9 advanced quickly, but Oliveira made a strong tackle, drawing applause from Sanu's fans.

"You won't get past me", growled Oliveira, rising quickly.

The atmosphere heated. Each duel was harder, each touch faster. The clock barely passed five minutes, but it felt like an eternity.

In midfield, Biel gathered his teammates in quick, firm words:

"Stay calm. Let's play our game. God is with us, focus"

Luquinhas laughed, provoking Dante:

"Tired already, white hair? Haven't even started"

Dante clenched his teeth:

"Talk less, play more"

Tension built. Sanu tried to break out, but Zenkai's high press suffocated. Murilo was forced to kick long. The ball came high, Kazana jumped against Mateus. The clash was brutal, but the defender prevailed. The rebound fell to Biel's feet, who controlled it masterfully and opened to Luquinhas. The play was already unfolding.

Kelvin ran to reposition, heart racing. He saw Luquinhas thread a through ball to Diego, who sprinted down the right. The crowd held its breath. João Vitor ran at full speed, threw himself in front, and blocked the cross. Corner.

The first of the match. Zenkai's fans rose, flags waving, deafening shouts. Biel took the ball, walked to the corner flag, and handed it to Luquinhas to take the kick. Before returning to the area, he touched the crucifix tattooed on his hand and looked up as if asking for protection.

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