Second Chances: Indonesian Football Player

Chapter 113

Wednesday, 1 May 2013.

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It was at half-four p.m., just an hour and a half to start the second round match of the Belgian Football Cup between RSC Anderlecht and Lommels SK.

Nero stood among the other Anderlecht players in the Lotto park parking lot, waiting to take a bus to Soeverein's home stadium from Lommel SK. Like his other team-mates, he wore a black suit and delicate, soft shoes looked like he was heading for a classy wedding dinner rather than a football match.

He doesn't like a little stuffy clothes. He prefers casual clothes. However, he is still ready to wear it because it is the sporting director's mandate for every player to wear their clothes before the game. Wearing those clothes was a small price that had to be paid to participate in the match. In his previous life, he would even wear a dress if it could guarantee him a place among the regulars of professional football teams in Europe.

Two days have passed since Nero first learned he would be in the starting line-up for Anderlecht's next game. However, he still felt like he was walking on a cloud.

He can't help it. He is very excited to play his debut game as a professional footballer in Europe.

Filled with anticipation and uneasiness, he did not want to say much. Instead, he kept checking his backpack for boots and buttons, check; shin guard, check; ankle protector

Bzzt Bzz! Bzzt Bzz!

His phone shook while he was still rummaging through the contents of the bag. He took it from the side pocket of his coat and glanced at the screen. It was a call from his mother. So, he immediately pressed the accept button.

"Hello, ma'am," she said, putting the phone next to her ear.

"Hello, Jun," he replied in the same Indonesian language. "How are you?"

"I'm fine, Mother," Nero replied humbly. "Aren't we talking the day before yesterday? So why'd you call mom, did something happen?" She was so used to her grandmother that words came out naturally without needing much thought. With him, he did not need to be on guard and could easily express himself without worry.

"Can't I 'just' call to say hello to my son?" He asked, his voice slightly raised. "Are you starting to feel sweet because you're no longer living here with me? Next time I see you, I'll pull that ear out." He added jokingly.

"Don't say that, ma'am," he said as he looked around casually. He noticed that some of his team-mates had thrown curious glances at him because he spoke in a very exotic language. So, he walked a few steps away from the others before speaking on the phone once more. "Mom, don't joke anymore. We'll start the game soon. Can we talk later?"

"Yes, we can talk later," he replied, his tone softened. "I'm just calling to wish you good luck in your game. But now you are fine in Europe, always remember to stay humble. That way, you will continue to advance in your career. And please remember to pray before the game. ."

"Thank you, grandma," answered Nero, smiling sadly. "I'll do it." He could not remember the last time he prayed. But to reassure her mother and make her not worry, she answered positively.

"But Jun," continued his mother, his voice became more serious. "When are you planning to come back and visit us? You know that it's been over two years since you left."

"Why are you asking this one more time? Didn't I promise that I'll be back in early June? That's the only time I'll get a few days off from the team."

"Well," he said, his voice softened once again. "I hope you keep your promise. I'll be waiting for you next month. So don't disappoint me."

"OK, Mom," said Nero humbly. "But I have to go now. My match will start soon."

"Wait a minute. One more thing, Juni."

"Yes, Mom," Nero replied after taking a cursory look around the parking lot and realizing that his teammates had not started boarding the bus.

“Bu, as I said before, I have already finished high school. So, I decided to take a break and concentrate on my current training. You know that I have to stay focused if I want to stay in the team. I can't do too many things at once. But, I will apply to the university in about a year or two. So, don't worry, Mom."

"I've heard that you can choose to study at night when you're at university. Why can't you sign up for such a course? That way, you can play football and learn at the same time."

"Mom" said Nero pleading. "Can we talk about this later? My match is really about to start. Okay, Ma?"

"OK, Nero. May God give you many blessings. I wish you all the best. See you soon."

"See you. I'll also send you some more money at the end of the week. If anything else comes up, you can talk to Coach Andreas."

"OK, but try to save some of your money. Do not keep sending money to us. We're fine here."

"Okay, grandma, Bye. Have a nice day." Nero sighed, ending the call. For the past half-year, her parents have been calling almost every week, asking when she would return to Indonesia to visit her. However, Nero was always practicing, trying to improve his skills as quickly as possible. He has not returned home once since his arrival in Belgium. He felt guilty every time he spoke to his mother or father because of it.

For the school, she followed Sage's advice and enrolled in German and Spanish language courses. But he did not say that to his mother at the time. Otherwise, he would have spent over thirty minutes inquiring about the details of his education.

He couldn't have it because the bus was about to leave. But still, talking to his mother had calmed his mind. He no longer felt restless and was already in the best state of mind to do his best in the game. He felt more excited to start the match.

"Okay guys, it's time" cried Bersch Hill, assistant head coach of Anderlecht. "Come on the bus soon. We don't want to be late." He added while clapping.

Hearing the coach's shout, all the players, including Nero, stopped whatever they were doing and headed straight for the bus. They looked impressive as they moved towards the bus in their neat black suit. Most of them talk among themselves in small groups. On the other hand, technical staff, including trainers and medics, have been wearing their jackets over Anderlecht's modest sportswear. They were the last to board the bus after eighteen players in the match squad had been seated.

Minutes later, the bus took off and quickly arrived on the E314 highway, bound for Lommels. It is one of the neighbourhoods of the place in Belgium located 112 kilometers from Brussels. The region is home to the club's Lommel SK that Anderlecht will face in the second round of the Belgian Cup at 18:00 on the same day.

Zachary sat in the back with Sandy Walsh and Mitrovic. He talked briefly with Sandy and Mitrovic, but he was no longer involved in any conversations with them after the bus left. Instead, he concentrated on listening to his music while watching a glimpse outside, through the window of the bus.

He could feel the wheels of the bus rolling down the road, following the bend and seamlessly greeting each slope. Immediately, it turned a corner and entered an environment dominated by natural green. As Nero stared subconsciously out the window, off the road on the horizon, he felt that it was a wonderful day at its best for his debut match in the Anderlecht first team. Although it was still spring, Brussels street glittered in the afternoon sun. Sunlight has conjured the most brilliant mosaics, reflected from every leaf and cloud clump. There was a good weather appointment that night. Nero could not have expected better conditions to play his debut game.

One hour and ten minutes later, Anderlecht's bus stopped at the Soeverein stadium parking lot. Nero followed his other team-mates as they got off the bus and a minute later, he was standing in front of the stadium where he was about to play his debut match. He was delighted when he saw the fans and some journalists struggling to get close to the bus.

He eventually made it into the squad of the top teams in Belgium. If he plays well, he will also sign autographs like his other team-mates within a month. He could not think of a time when he was happier. He did not even feel such emotions even while lifting the Riga and Belgian Youth Cup trophies. He smiled gently, letting calm satisfaction spread through him.

He began to observe his surroundings, his gaze exploring the stands while holding some of the early fans who had taken their seats. The stadium was small, perhaps with a capacity of less than 8000 seats, according to his estimates. Inevitably he wonders if Ryandi and his former team-mates came to watch his debut match. But from where he stood, he could not see the face of any of the spectators.

In the meantime, he noticed that security officers began cleaning up the fans and journalists who were crowding around the bus. The fans, in particular, seemed very enthusiastic about approaching the players. They ignored the security guards and went to great lengths to get signatures from star players like Bram Nuytinck and Luka Milivojevic.

Anderlecht is a giant in Belgian football. Wherever the Anderlecht players go, they receive a lot of attention from both the media and fans. Especially in Brussels the club's home town. They are superstars.

So, even though Soeverein stadium became the home for Lommel SK, there are still many Anderlecht fans who came to watch the game. After all, it is only a 1-hour drive from Brussels.

"Friends" shouted Coach Marcel after security personnel cleared the entrance to the stadium. "Let's go to the dressing room and change our warm-up clothes as soon as possible. We only have a little over an hour before the game. So, hurry up." He added, leading the way. The players follow him.