Valencia City - The rise of the football club-Part 1

Valencia City qualified to the Spanish Premier League after winning the qualification game in the second tier hurdle. After years of hard work, finally, they could make it to the top league in Spain. The coach Carlos and the players headed by captain Rio were excited at the prospect of playing the Spanish Premier League. No one expected much from the team as they were playing the league for the first time. Fans hoped the team would escape from relegation so that they could play again in the league the next season. Madrid Kings and Seville Hurricanes were the firm favourites for winning the league. The aforementioned teams had a tremendous record in the league, and it was a herculean task for others to compete on par with them.

Both teams boasted of star players and world-class coaches who had the knack and the experience of winning the league. The kick-off game of the league was to be played between Madrid Kings and Valencia City. Madrid fans cheering their champion side dominated the Madrid football stadium. City fans hoped their team wouldn’t get hammered. The whistle blow marked the start of the match and the league. The City players were of no match to Madrid players right from the word go. They continued to be sloppy on the field thanks to the brilliant performance of Madrid players, who continued to manifest their extraordinary skills on the field. At the end of the game, Madrid had indeed hammered Valencia by 9-0.

Carlos went over the tape again and again, trying to comprehend what went wrong. Nothing was to be expected from a team that was playing its first game in the big league against a champion club, but Carlos was a man who hated losing. He thought he can groom his players to become champions one day. He analyzed the game thoroughly and understood the playing pattern of the Madrid Kings. The well-built coach conceived many more tough games that would materialize in the coming days. All players practised day and night, inspired by their coach, who continued to motivate them endlessly. He tried to amplify the belief within each player in the team to ensure they develop a winning mindset, come what may.

Next up for Valencia was another big club named Seville Hurricanes. Valencia no longer looked like minnows on the field as they gave a tough fight against Hurricanes, but eventually lost the game 2-0. There was certainly an improvement after the last game thrashing. Players were playing more freely and confidently, bereft of anxiety and under confidence. Carlos went through the tape and came up with an idea that could help his players get the better of their opposition. He implemented the idea in the vigorous training session and tried his best to up the mental strength of the players. In high-pressure games, your mental strength plays a prominent role in deciding your performance.

Valencia city languished at the bottom of the table after two successive defeats, but all was not lost yet. In the very next game, Valencia players leapt into the field with a warrior mindset. They amazed their fans with their fierce approach to the game. In the 30th minute, captain Rio scored the first goal for his team in the tournament. Valencia fans went bonkers, unable to fathom what they just saw. It was a stunning bicycle kick from the captain, who put the ball magically into the net for the first time in the tournament. The rest of the game did not render any such magical moments, but Rio’s solitary goal was enough for Valencia City to pick up their first win in the tournament. The players looked excited and so was the coach and fans. Carlos had planted a winning seed in his player’s minds, and it was his duty to ensure the seed grows into a tree.

Valencia City turned into a formidable team after many such impressive performances in the league. Within months, the team had jumped from last to fourth. The fans couldn’t believe their eyes and ears because they never expected the team to do well in the league. After every game, the fans only grew in numbers to provide the much-needed support to the team on the field. Through their chorus, they were virtually playing second fiddle to the team in their overall success.

The league was now coming to the business end. Valencia City had two games in hand, one against the mighty Sevilla Hurricanes, and the other was up against the champions, Madrid Kings. If they were to create a record of becoming the first team ever to win the competition after coming from the second tier, they had to win both games. Even if one game ends in a draw, they wouldn’t be able to win the competition. Fans were happy with the team’s performance and they were fine even if City doesn’t render a miracle. Finishing third in the league for a team that was taken for granted was indeed a monumental achievement.

Carlos had a one-on-one session with his players. He tried to understand the strengths and weaknesses of his players to ensure he would find a remedy to turn their weaknesses into strengths. Out of nowhere, the match time had arrived. Sevilla Hurricanes were off to a rollicking start as they scored a goal in the very second minute. To rub salts to the wounds, they added one more goal before the first half. Carlos, who always imagined his players lifting the trophy, looked stunned as the match was slowly slipping away from his hands. He joined his captain to give one of the best motivational speeches in the dressing room. He was so emotional during his talk; the players felt some spiritual energy surge through their body, bolstering their morale. They rushed to the field with that sacred energy and, much to the astonishment of everybody, they scored two goals in the next forty minutes. Ninety minutes had passed and five more minutes were added. In the dying stages of the game, captain Rio tries his luck from a thirty-yard distance and the ball sneaks past three defenders and the goalie to find the corner of the net. The delirium erupts in the stadium as Valencia City defeats Seville Hurricanes in what they called a phenomenal and thrilling comeback to not only stay in the hunt for the title, but also to jump to the second spot on the table.

Valencia City players exhibited extreme courage on the field that made them the fan favourites. Their gallant effort against the favourite Sevilla won the hearts of many. The applause poured over to the rising team from nooks and corners of not just Spain but all over the world. They were to play the last match against Madrid Kings, who had 86 points as opposed to their 84 points. The champions could defend their title even if they could manage a draw in their last league game. As far as Valencia was concerned, they had no other option but to defeat the invincible Madrid Kings to lift the trophy. The 9-0 drubbing was still fresh in the minds of city players. They started their league with a match against the champions and they would also end their league playing against the same team. Will they be able to shock Madrid? Are they going to etch a history that would be remembered forever? A million questions swirled in the minds of people desperately trying to find answers. The most awaiting moment had appeared on the surface. Madrid Kings vs Valencia City. On one side is the star-studded champion team that barely loses and on the other side is a team that no one predicted would even compete for the title, leave alone winning the league.

The referee blows the whistle and the match kick-starts. The fans were on the edge of their seats as if they were watching a thriller movie. Tons of questions ran in the minds of coaches because they knew one team out of the two would surely lift the trophy. Euphoria, for one team and agony, for another team and that was inevitable. Time doesn’t wait for anybody and just like that 45 minutes passed and Madrid Kings hit two superb goals during the period to further reinforce their chances of defending the title. Valencia fans were applauding their team because they thought it was an incredible performance against the champion team and also now the chances of lifting the trophy had become slim. Carlos stood silent for five minutes, much to the surprise of his players. Later on, he spoke about the hard work, the determination, the never give up attitude they inherently possessed, which was the hallmark of this team. He also reminisced about the tough games they had played in the past with a warrior mindset. The sacrifice they had made to emerge into the main event picture. Nothing is lost until it is lost. The players made up their minds to give their best, come what may.

The second half started

d in a jiffy. One of the Valencia players collected a red card for the harsh tackle. Not only was the team reduced to ten players, but also they had gifted a penalty for Madrid Kings to take an unassailable 3-0 lead against their opponents. The Madrid Kings players hit the ball like a bullet to the top corner of the net and, just like that, Madrid had picked up a huge 3-0 lead against Valencia. Carlos looked dejected but did not display his frustration on the pitch. Since the league started, he always imagined his team winning the league while going to sleep, but now it was becoming a distant dream. Madrid Kings players mocked the opposition as they believed their opponents can no way come back into the game. They had to score four goals in thirty minutes against the top club with a player less, which looked next to impossible. City players never looked dejected because a coach who taught them how to win the games out of thin air, how to win the games when everything seemed done and dusted trained them. They quickly scored two goals, taking full advantage of Madrid players’ overconfidence. Suddenly Madrid defender headed the ball to his net. For the first time in the league, Madrid players and the coach had jitters kissing every cell of their bodies. The scorecard now read 3-3. Valencia fans who perceived it impossible to get back in the game were now hoping for the miraculous fourth goal to come out of nowhere. All Madrid players were now turned into defenders to ensure they could somehow survive for the next five minutes, which would be enough for them to win the competition. Valencia players were on the attack as if they were hunting an animal in the forest. Tension flared high in the stadium and many were seen inadvertently biting their nails, unable to control nervy moments. In the dying seconds of the game, Rio headed the ball, which was flying towards the goal and just when the crowd could go berserk, one of the Madrid players played a handball to deny the goal. Valencia fans screamed in anger at the player who now forced the team to take the nervy penalty.

Heartbeats threatened to explode as captain Rio walks in to take the most difficult penalty of his life. If he scores, then history is made if not agony. He looks at the ball that looked dead on the line. The goalie was dancing on the goal line. Madrid Kings players secretly swore at Rio to miss the penalty. The clouds dispersed, allowing the moon and the stars to witness the nervy moment. The dead silence appeared eerie and nervy. Match referee blows the whistle. Rio lets out a deep breath to regain his composure; he comes in and kicks the ball. The entire crowd gathered there are watching the ball fly towards the goal post. Can you believe it even the goalie is moving in the ball's direction? He makes a contact with the ball which is not enough to stop the ball from reaching the goal line. It’s a GOAL!!!!!!!!!

Valencia City had produced a classic comeback to defeat the champions and to win the historic trophy in their debut appearance. Fans went berserk, unable to comprehend the joy that seemed to pour continuously over them. Carlos was reduced to tears, looking at the jubilation dancing around him. The players sprinted towards their coach and lifted him in the air to pay their way of obeisance. The joyous tears weaved together to witness the history being created in the league. Unable to control his joy, the rain God poured over the stadium to bless them. Nothing is impossible because even impossible says I M possible.

The team that was ignored before the start of the competition had now transformed into a team loved by people all over the world. The club that had a poor financial background was now becoming one of the richest clubs in the country. All Spanish newspapers headlined the glory of Valencia City in bold letters. The coach Carlos and the captain Rio were praised for their heroics. Other players weren’t ignored either. Spanish people thronged to the open ground to commemorate the victory of Valencia City. The vigorous training sessions, robust convictions, never say die attitude had all paid off in the end. It was just the start of the new era of Valencia City football club in Spain. The expectations have only grown multifold after this incredible and awe-inspiring triumph.