Football: The Gold Generation!

I have to be a tanker!

Al asked Edi to throw a tennis ball at him. He seemed eager to deflect the ball, his gaze was sharp, both sides of his teeth he tightened, until the sound of molars clashing slowly.

"Throw it here as hard as I can to fend it off." Say Al with confidence. His hand he stretched, his eyes focused on following wherever it could go, his calculations had to arrive, the ball had to be in his hand.

Got to!

"Well, that's if you can break through my defenses." Al pulled the corner of his lips, the tail of his eyes staring at Mr. Danang full of confidence.

He's focused.

The deg!

Like a black crow flapping its wings dashing, Al spread out his arms, from himself clearly emanating a heavy aura that could suppress the surrounding Atmosphere.

Mr. Edi could feel that spirit, like there was a fresh stream running through his claustrophobic heart, it was unclear what made Al look different, she said, but clearly, Mr. Edi wants to give his full attention to this attractive boy.

"May you too." Mr. Edi smiled faintly, this child is attractive in his eyes, but is his confidence comparable to his skill? He's quite curious.

Without a second thought Mr. Edi took a swing. His right hand held the racket and his left hand held the ball that would be thrown towards Al. Sometimes he bounces the ball to the ground before throwing it.

With all his strength, Edi threw the ball towards Al. The ball is so fast in direction it is also not easy to guess. Obviously this is harder than it was. Looks like Mr. Edi wants to test Al's reflex speed.

Al with his goalie instinct jumped up and tried to grab the tennis ball. But unfortunately the tennis ball only hit the tip of Al's glove. He was a few seconds late to throw the ball away. He fell over and saw that tennis ball was past him.

Piss off!

As thousands of spectators shouted Al was disappointed in himself, but the falling of the ball to the ground did not make him give up, the fire was burning as he determined to make the ball land in his hands perfectly.

Edi narrowed his eyes.

Not too bad.

Mr. Edi smiled faintly, Al's reflexes were tolerable for a beginner. Not many beginner goalkeepers can have the reflex to touch the tennis ball he throws.

Mr. Edi also asked Adit to prepare for his turn. But Al asked Edi to repeat it.

"Again." He said with a smile as if he would be completely addicted by fending off the ball.

Can't! Al hasn't stopped him! The ball had fallen to the ground, the thirst to fend off would not have disappeared if Al had not reached it. The burning desire like a dry river, will be filled perfectly if Al manages to fend off the throw that made him fall earlier.

"Later change first." Said Mr. Edi so that Adit get his turn as well. Mr. Edi is interested in Al, but he also has to be fair and see the potential that Adit has.

"Trust me, once more! I'll prove I deserve to be trained as a goalkeeper!" Al was getting excited, clearly visible on his facial expression.

Like an interesting magnet, Al focused on the small ball held by Edi, it was difficult for him to resist the desire to catch the ball that Al had. His eyes were radiating dissatisfaction to himself.

Edi threw the ball with all his might. Al followed the movement of the ball.

Focus up!

Al moves like a leaping wolf pouncing on its prey.

The ball no longer touched the tip of his finger, but he was able to hold it even using his face. The reflexes of the hand have not been concentrated.

Al fell asleep in the grass. Mr. Edi tried to approach her out of concern for her.

"Al you're gapapa?" Ask Mr. Edi.

Al woke up and shouted.

"Yes. I managed to fend off the ball!!" Doesn't care about the condition of his blood-stained nose. He looked happy that he had made it past the training level this time. The shout until heard by other players and immediately burn the spirit of other players to really practice.

"Enhanced times he, we can't lose let's practice!" Said Ridwan who heard Al's cry. Al's shout sparked the spirit of other players, should not lose, should not be off guard.

Riski who was tired was back warm, our striker this one does not want to lose frenzied with the goalkeeper who seems to have reached a level there.

As well as the other players, Al's shout of success makes them even more trying, they won't let Al level up alone.

Seen from far away Mr. Danang smiled to see the foster child. He had expected it from the start, Al was interesting.

"Your nose is bleeding don't scream. Well this is a quick tissue on the lap." Said Mr. Edi a little worried about the condition of Al.

"Where has Pak been good yet?" Al asked while cleaning the blood on his nose.

"No B only. Yok Adit get ready." Mr. Edi's Law.

"Evil." Even so Al was happy, he could hold the ball so as not to pass through him. It was this kind of fun that kept Al going again and again wanting to play the ball as a goalkeeper.

......................

For a long time practicing the players are asked to rest. Mr. Edi gave a drink to Al and Adit who were tired from training. Al's nose is better, although there is still some redness in his nose.

"Why did you stop being a goalkeeper?" Al asked while wiping the sweat on his forehead. There is no particular reason, just curious.

Question from Al. Mr. Edi was silent for a moment he occasionally looked at the sky before answering Al's question.

"First you had a dream to be the goalkeeper of the Indonesian national team. Dream Father is fully supported by the family including the Father's only Brother." After a long silence, Mr. Edi tried to answer Al's question slowly.

"Good dong Pak if fully supported by the family." Connect Al. Rarely do parents support their children like this, most parents prefer their children to pursue an academic education that is said to be more certain than being an athlete. Everyone has their own talents and abilities, right?

"It's good that the incident didn't happen."

"..."

Silent, both Al and Adit were both silent, they were petrified when they saw Mr. Edi shed those tears.

But if you see the character of Mr. Edi during the training, he was not a person who easily cried, then why? What the hell's going on?

What incident made this old man bury his dream of becoming an Indonesian national team goalkeeper?