Chapter Two: Eight Minutes at Twenty-Seven

He only knew that his body had obeyed him once more, and now he had to pay for those eight minutes. Southport launched a final assault. Unable to run, Gu dropped into midfield and used his position to block their pivot. In the eighty-eighth minute, the referee's whistle pierced the night. Zhao had handled the ball in the area. Penalty. Every cheer stopped. Southport's taker placed the ball as supporters covered their faces. Cape City's goalkeeper Zhou Yan was a nineteen-year-old academy player. He had faced seven penalties that season and saved none. Gu walked over and whispered two sentences. The taker ran up and pushed the ball toward the left side. Zhou took an early step right, then blocked the shot with his trailing left foot.