The stadium lights buzzed above as Mohammed Al-Yami adjusted his shin guards, eyes fixed on the attackers lining up near the halfway line. He stood tall, calm, and focused—despite the roaring crowd behind him.

“Watch their number 10—he’s drifting in behind!” Al-Yami shouted, pointing toward a gap forming on the left.

The captain nodded, shifting the back line accordingly. A moment later, the opposing team tried a quick through ball, but Al-Yami was already there, intercepting it with a clean slide and rising to his feet in one fluid motion.

He glanced over at the bench and gave a thumbs-up. Then, under his breath, he said, “Not today.”

His teammates rallied around him. His quiet determination was contagious, and though he wasn’t the loudest on the pitch, he earned respect with every tackle, every clearance, and every second of unwavering focus.

The match continued, but one thing was certain: with Al-Yami in the backline, there would be no easy way through.