The match was nearly over and I was almost on my last legs, when I saw a chance. I picked the ball up from Sally and headed for the German penalty area(罚球区).
"Jess!" I could hear Jules shouting as she ran alongside me. "Pass!"
I looked up and hit the ball forward into space. Jules ran on to it, picked it up and hit the ball into the net. It was just as good as Beckham's last-minute goal against Greece!
Two minutes later, the referee(裁判) blew the whistle for full-time. A draw.
"Penalties," Jules said, with a wide smile on her face.
Although it wasn't usual to finish a friendly with penalties, both sides had decided that it would be a nice idea. Joe came on to the pitch(球场) to give us a quick pep talk. Maybe he wouldn't choose me.
"OK, Jules, you go first," Joe said. "Then Mel, Tina, Hannah and—Jess." I tried not to look relieved that I was last. With any luck I wouldn't have to take my turn, if the match was decided before that.
The Germans went first and scored. So did Jules. The Germans scored again. So did Mel. After a third German goal, Tina was looking nervous, but she was lucky because her shot went in off the post.
My stomach was turning over and over as Hannah stepped up to take our fourth penalty. If Hannah scored, it would be all down to the last German penalty-taker—and me.
Hannah rolled the ball smoothly into the left-hand corner of the net. I tried to take deep breaths to calm myself down. If the next German player scored, I'd have to take my turn. I closed my eyes, willing her to fail.
A loud roar around the stadium told me that she'd scored. The referee signaled me to come over and with heavy steps I walked over to place the ball on the spot. I was really tired and my legs felt like they were made of lead. Behind me I could hear the girls yelling encouragement.
I made a superhuman effort and ran towards the ball, but even as I hit it, I knew it wasn't right. I groaned as the ball hit the crossbar and bounced away into the crowd.
