“See you later little sister, good luck.” Emma gives me a thumbs up in support. I might just need it for today is an important game against Tibble Group. They are favourites for relegation this season so a victory today is absolutely necessary, even if it is an away game. A failure today and we might just need to revise out goals for the season and that would suck.

I can’t help feeling excited for Sasha today, this will be her first real game. She can be a bit annoying but she’s growing on me. I’ve been spending time with her almost every day now so it’s not that strange that I find her company almost enjoyable. We have practiced the cooperation between Hannah and Sasha as a centre back partnership. It’s not good, not yet. I will take a long time to form a mutual trust and understanding but it’s something.

I work alongside Luciana with tactical preparations. We work out a great deal of things and analyse our opposition and pick out key details that we will share with the players. Every player will need to understand her roll and function within the team. We will apply the same basic principles of when to press, when to rest with the ball and when to go for breakthrough as the previous games. The only difference is a slightly more direct approach. We will instruct Isabella to pass more directly to the forward and wingers where previously she might hold it and maintain possession of the ball. We need to become lethal, instil fear in the opposition.

I have instructed the right back Camilla and the left back Anna to keep a defensive shape, approved by Luciana. I want our 4 backs to learn the offside trap. You can’t pass the ball to your own player if that player is behind all of the other teams’ players. So, their strikers have to stand within the line of our backs when the pass comes or its offside. Our centre backs are slow, Hannah is faster but still pretty slow so we need coordination.

The practical aspect of an away game is interesting. We register the players and leaders we like to bring and then we receive keys, virtual ones of course, so we can teleport to their field. We all suddenly plop into existence in a new place.

“Wow, I thought our arena was small.” I couldn’t help my little outburst. They don’t even have bleachers. People are just to stand around the field to watch.

“I know we are in division 3 but shouldn’t there be some rules or something.” Might sound a bit whiny but still, this just looks bad.

“This club was an amateur one last season, Alicia. There are rules but they have 1 season of time to upgrade their stadium to fit the rules.” Luciana patiently explains. Maybe, just maybe it’s good to be assistant manager for a year. We certainly studied rules in my education but not every little thing about all the division.

“Remember our game plan Hannah, Sasha. Hannah, you are in charge so communicate with Sasha during the game. You’ll both do fine.” I remind them.

Hannah scoffs. “I know what I’m doing.” I almost want her to screw up so she’ll learn some humility.

Luciana goes of to greet their manager and then return to pep our players up for the coming battle. I have already made sure Sashas body is up for a game. The players are informed of all tactical details so we are fully ready for today.

The referee AI enters the field with the ball. Now, this should be an interesting game. Whistle blows and the game kicks off.

Tibble group plays the same formation as in previous games. A 5-3-2 formation with a defensive style. They play with two strong players good with their heads up front. They are one of few teams who are actually dangerous from set pieces like corner or free kicks, even long throws. I think a great deal of their training is dedicated to such things.

Tibble group immediately kick the ball long and lose possession of the ball. We pass the ball around while they get back into position making any advancement difficult. They have scouted our last game because their nr 7 marks Isabella closely attempting to do what Peking did last game. They have some success but Isabella is skilful enough to manage some good plays regardless. After only 10 minutes we have our first good chance.

Penny Union, our right winger cuts in from the right and attempts a shoot from distance and hit the crossbar. It is then cleared by their defender.

“Continue to pass to Penny, she has an advantage!” Luciana screams and waves her arm to get the players attention. While she is focused on that I keep an eye on our young defenders. They have very little to do so they have to keep focus.

Just before half time Penny makes a run past their left back and cuts the ball in to the penalty box. The defender fails in their attempt to clear so our little strikes manages to tip the ball into goal.

“Yeeees! Good job Chione!” Luciana applaud the effort and grins like a maniac. She must have been anxious.

It was only a matter of time; we are dominating this game like we are supposed to. A lead before half time will give us some confidence. The referee blows for half time.

Unlike last time the atmosphere is very relaxed, the players are at ease on so is Luciana. Luciana handles the talking.

“Keep this up ladies, you are doing well. Penny, keep challenging their left back, she got nothing on you.” This cheered her up, she nods confidently. We have a lot of young player so it’s important to keep their confidence high.

“Get back out there, I want another goal.” Luciana declares.

When the players go out for the second half, I notice Sasha walk with the slightest hint of a limp. Fuck. She is too eager to play so she probably don’t want to say anything. Should we sub her out? That’s risky, to shake up the centre back position mid-game is not optimal. I’ll let her play for now and see what happens, if she gets injured then that’s a good lesson for the youngster.

Immediately as the game starts, we make a good attack that ends with a shot from Isabella from range. Goalkeeper pushes it out to a corner.

“Get up there Sasha, you know what to do!” Finally, let’s she what she got. Best case scenario she heads one in here but I’d be happy with a good attempt.

Isabella takes the corner but the ball fall to close to their goalkeeper she takes it with ease. Ugh, damn low division football..

“Good try.” Luciana try to encourage them whereas I feel the need to berate Isabella for a bad corner.

The tempo of the game slows to a crawl. Our players are satisfied with a 1-0 and out opponents slump with their heads down. That’s what happens when you lose every game you play. Their players are demoralized.

Nothing of note happens besides some half-chances for both teams but nothing too threatening. The referee blows her whistle and we call it quits.

No wild outburst of joy, more a subdued satisfaction. Luciana and I pat and encourage players and exchange a few words with their manager. This result and the performance are acceptable but no more. We should win with 3-0 against such a garbage team. While Luciana talk with the team, I take Sasha away.

This girl needs punishment.