Tokyo Surprise (13 page)

Josh threw a glance at his sister. Jessica shrugged – she didn’t know what to say, either. “Er... I think...the best team should win,” he said.

Shini laughed again. “It’s a good answer! England will be tough. Neil Ash’s right foot is my personal worst enemy this week.”

“But England’s weaker in defence now that Daniel Akimbe’s out with a leg injury,” Josh pointed out.

“
But
, I hear Karl Clarke is on fine form,” Shini countered. Josh had to concede that one – all the football websites he’d checked said the English Captain was in
better health than ever, and playing brilliantly. “This will be a great match,” Shini continued. “I must admit, I am thrilled to meet them all. What club do you two
support?”

“Arsenal, mostly,” said Jessica. “But our mum still supports Wingate and Finchley, even though they are in, like, the
eighth
division.”

“Ah, then the great ‘Clarkey’ is of your home team?” Shini asked.

“Yep.” Josh beamed.

“English football is very physical, right?” Shini asked. Behind him, Kiki was making a big show of rolling her eyes. She had been into the match, but was now giggling at all the
football geekiness. Shini didn’t notice. “I hear England has a totally different style of play to the J League, and a different style of management too. Our manager at the Kashima
Antlers is very strict, but I hear of English players going to lots of nightclubs.”

“Yeah,” Josh said. “They train hard, but the managers let them have a bit of fun, too. Well, the players would probably riot if they tried to stop them!”

Kiki started to say something, but Shini spoke before she could. “How many games would an English team normally play in a season?” he asked. “And how do English clubs compete
in the European leagues?”

“Well,” Josh said, “Premier League clubs play thirty-eight matches in a season, not counting the FA Cup and the European games – the top four Premiership clubs compete in
the Champion’s League, and the fifth and sixth and the winner of the FA Cup get to play in the Europa Cup...”

Kiki’s head dropped, and she made a loud snoring sound. Josh laughed, and so did Jessica and Shini. “Sorry, Kiki,” Shini said, patting her shoulder.

Kiki lifted her head, winking at Jessica. “I’m just joking.”

“But England’s a great place to play football, Shini,” said Josh. “We’ve got loads of incredible stadiums, and the most dedicated fans in the world. Just look at
our mum with Wingate and Finchley!”

“Shini, do not use my young friends as your personal research team,” Kiki interrupted, wagging a finger at him in a mock telling-off.

“But you know I am very interested in English football,” Shini said.

Josh couldn’t help his eyes going wide.
Could Shini be thinking of transferring to an English club? Have I just talked him into it?
Josh wondered.
Do I get some kind of
finder’s fee for that?

“Anyway,” Shini continued, “how could I not want to know how the game is played in England? It is the home of football!”

“Which means it will be even better to beat them at their own game,” said Kiki, with a wink at Josh and Jessica. “Sorry, guys, but it is true!”

“Not very sporting though, old thing,” Shini said, attempting a comically bad English accent.

“All is fair in love and football,” Kiki said, flashing him a twinkly smile.

Now it was Josh’s turn to roll his eyes, but Jessica wasn’t paying attention. She was staring straight at Kiki and Shini.

“Soooo,” she said, “is there something you two want to tell us?”

Find out how Shini’s secrets lead to more

high-kicking ninja action for Josh

and Jess in...

Published in print and ebook
October 2011

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