That goal from Frank was quite the blow to Unique FC so close to the fast-approaching break, however, the home team did not falter.

    On the contrary, they become more aggressive, desperate to find the equalizer before the halftime break.

    However, their efforts yielded no results as Mateo continued to get frustrated by Dynamo FC''s goalkeeper, Victor.

    After that goal by Frank, the winger who was filling in the role of a midfielder at the moment, got two very good chances to level the game, two chances which he ended up squandering.

    The first chance came from a through ball from Dave after Minino sent it back to the goalkeeper from the halfway line.

    Dave was able to drop the ball right in front of him just on the edge of the box but before the youngster could do anything with the ball, Victor was already upon him, and with his gloves, the goalkeeper knocked the ball away from him, putting an end to the threat.

    Mateo tried to argue that he touched the ball outside his line but after a quick VAR check, it was confirmed that the ball was just in the box when the goalkeeper touched it, the youngster wasn''t happy about that but he had to roll with it.

    The second chance wasn''t as clear as the first one but it was the more impressive one.

    A volley from Ferran''s corner just outside the box, he got a really good hit on the ball with his right foot aiming for the top right corner.

    That would have been a wonderful equalizer but unfortunately for the midfielder, Victor was able to get to the ball with the tip of his glove just in time, and with it, he was able to send the ball over the bar for a corner kick.

    That one caused Mateo to almost throw a tantrum on the pitch as he kicked the floor as hard as he could before squatting down, raising his hand to slam it on the ground, and stopping just before he could actually hit it.

    Dynamo FC didn''t really get any other impressive chance after their goal but they were well satisfied to finish the first half of the game with the lead.

    "Well, there you have it folks, the first half of this heated battle has come to an end. Make sure to stick around for the second half because I have a feeling the heat is about to blast through the roof." Jim articulated as the players made their way down the tunnel.

    While his teammates were quickly making their way down the tunnel, Mateo seemed to be dragging his feet, and noticing this, Dave decided to pull back.

    "Hey." He called to get the attention of the youngster who would have walked past him otherwise.

    ''His mind seems to be elsewhere.''

    Well, considering the chances he blew, I understand how he must feel

    "Oh, hey, Dave," Mateo responded, his voice sounding half-hearted as he stopped moving.

    "Are you okay?" The goalkeeper inquired.

    "Yeah, I''m fine, just got lost in my thoughts for a moment." He responded quite hastily before he continued moving forward, disappearing down the tunnel before Dave could say anything else to him.

    "He sure doesn''t sound fine to me."

    Don''t worry, he''s okay. Victor seems to have left a lasting impression on him, I''m not sure he''ll ever forget the goalkeeper after the events of today

    Listening to everything Catherine just said, Dave slowly turned to the opposition goalpost.

    ''Yeah, he''s really good.''

    _________ _________

    The goalkeeper brought the ball down with his chest, and trying to take advantage of the current situation of him not being able to pick the ball up, Damian rushed straight toward him.

    However, Dave was fast enough to quickly cut toward the right before he could get to him, and without hesitation, he sent the ball flying down the right flank, an attempt to find Merino who had already stretched down there.

    "The moment of truth."

    The goalkeeper was successful in getting the ball to Merino who had the fullback in the area right behind him but he wasn''t much trouble as the forward was able to get past him with a backheel nutmeg just after getting the ball down.

    "Oh, that was nasty."

    He quickly pushed forward with the ball after that as Mateo along with the other midfielders pushed forward also.

    Fred quickly made his way into the box, one of the center-backs sticking close to him and finding him at that moment, Merino sent the ball flying to him with a lob before the other center-back could double-cross him.

    "I wasn''t expecting this from Unique, surely they can find that equalizer now."

    The ball was able to get to Fred successfully but desperate to prevent a goal, the center back forced him out of shooting position with a pull but the striker was able to keep hold of the ball, and just before the center back could drag him down inside the box, he pushed the ball away from the box toward Mateo who had just entered the area free of any markers, a grave mistake by Dynamo.

    "Mateo."

    The youngster quickly got his foot on the ball pushing past the center back who was occupied by Fred at that moment to get into the box.

    "Surely now!"

    This time, Victor wasn''t able to rush out of his box as Mateo pulled his right foot back and fired the ball forward, aiming for the bottom right corner.

    The goalkeeper could only stand and watch as the ball flew past him and into the goalpost, dragging the net back.

    "Oh, there you have it! They have their equalizer and who else but Mateo to put it in the box!"

    The fans erupted in cheers as the youngster took off to the sidelines screaming and jumping.

    "Trying stopping that one!" He screamed as he kicked the corner flag.

    Minino got to him at that moment and putting his hand over his shoulder, he dragged him back, rubbing his head with a bright smile on his face.

    "I would have kicked you if you had missed that one."

    Back on the other side, Dave had a bright smile on his face with both of his hands up as the fans chanted in jubilation.

    "That was a wonderful connection between the players but I think Dynamo was a little lax in defense there, letting Mateo run free like that," Steve commented. "I guess his missed chances in the first half gave them the impression that he wasn''t much of a threat, they''ll have to keep him locked if they want to at least drag this game out."

    "Definitely," Jim affirmed.

    See, I told you he was okay

    Dave looked far ahead at that moment to see the youngster enthusiastically urging the fans to keep cheering.

    "Yeah, he does look okay now."