Second Chances: Indonesian Football Player

Chapter 124

"LOLOLO ITS BUFFALO, LOLOLOLO ITS BUFFALO"

In the Anderlecht technical area, Coach Marcel's frown deepened as the singing and applause from home fans of KAA Gent grew louder. His team just conceded the second goal in the 52nd minute match.

Yassine El Ghannasy, the right midfielder in Gent's 4-4-2 diamond formation, had just fired a shot into the net from outside the 18-yard box. He managed a shot that could not be reached by Silvio Proto, goalkeeper Anderlecht and scored the second goal for the man in black and maroon.

Things looked bad for Anderlecht as the second half went on. They were two goals down with only about thirty-five minutes remaining. Coach Marcel's face had long since turned into a terrifying frown as he observed what was happening on the field.

His team arrived at Gent City in high spirits that afternoon. All the players are in top shape as they warm up and prepare for the game. Even the absence of their top stars Alexsandar Mitrovic and Olivier Deschacht due to suspension seemed trivial at the time. They were in good shape before the game started. Coach Marcel was pleased with their energy levels—and thought they would snatch three points from KAA Gent. That would mark the perfect start to their climb back to the top of the Pro Ligue standings.

However, he couldn't have been more wrong.

As soon as the game started, the Anderlecht players found it difficult to calm down and play fast-flowing attacking football as usual. Many of their usually successful coordinated games become misses due to a lack of focus on the field. They started to lose possession and conceded the first goal in the 26th minute of the first half.

Coach Marcel did not lose his composure over that single goal. He knows very well, from experience, that any strong team can go under during a game and find themselves lagging behind their opponents. However, the most important thing is the way the players react after dealing with the situation.

So, during the halftime break, he provided a motivational spirit about focus and gave more than a hundred percent of the effort to make a comeback in the dressing room. The players playing on the pitch have reacted well to that, calming his mind. So, he returned to the visitors' bench for the second half with a smile on his face. He believes his players have straightened out their attitude and will do their best to score and win in the second half. However, seven minutes into the second half, Anderlecht conceded again.

Coach Marcel nearly suffocated to death from his anger. His players have made another amateur mistake that allowed Gent to score once again. "What to do?" He muttered to himself, rubbing his head in frustration.

His mind was working too hard, trying to find a solution to Anderlecht's tactical problems on the pitch. Meanwhile, his eyes followed every play on the field as his mind tried to find a spark that could light up the path and help his team make a comeback. The worst result he could tolerate against KAA Gent was a draw. If Anderlecht lose again, he will be in big trouble and may risk being sacked by the end of the following week. He can't lose.

*PRITTTTTTTTT*

The referee blew the whistle, making him lose concentration.

"It was not a foul and certainly should not have got a yellow card," shouted Coach Marcel with all his might, punching the air in front of him repeatedly. Luka Milivojevic, defensive midfielder Anderlecht, has just slid a tackle on Danijel Milicevic, Gent's number 8, near the edge of the box. The referee had shown Luka a yellow card for his overly aggressive challenge and awarded a free-kick to KAA Gent on the edge of the box.

"I don't know what's going on with referees lately" Coach Marcel complained to Bersch Hill, his assistant. "It shouldn't be a violation. But the referee declared a foul and gave Luka a yellow card! I don't understand." Coach Marcel scratched his beard in frustration as he continued to stare at the playing field.

Bersch Hill smiled wryly, shaking his head. "Maybe we have to start thinking about signing another striker so we can create more chances in front of goal" he said in a pleading tone. "What do you think?"

"I've considered it" replied Coach Marcel, staying focused on the pitch. "Let's see the free kick first. We'll decide what to do from there."

"Okay, then," replied Bersch Hill, Anderlecht's assistant head coach, nodding. He also returned his eyes to the field of play.

**** ****

Nero was watching the match from the visitors' dugout. He was surprised by how the situation on the pitch quickly went from bad to worse for Anderlecht as the game progressed. He doesn't understand why the players don't seem to be able to connect well on the pitch. During training, they work together, playing fast-flowing football. But out there in the game, they are owned by weaker teams. He was frustrated because he didn't want to see his team lose one game after he made it into the squad.

"Facing our former coach is really problematic" Nero heard Sandy, the substitute defender, commenting from his left. "Jackson Merengeuz knows us well inside out. It's no surprise that he was able to devise an effective tactic to mess up our game plan."

"But that's no reason for us to concede two goals" Thomas Kaminski, the veteran goalkeeper, added. "We haven't even created clear chances on goal. I guess Alex and Olivier's suspension messed up our team's game."

Nero continued to listen but also continued to pay attention to the events on the ground. On the edge of Anderlecht's box, Danijel Milicevic, Gent's number 8, retreated a few steps away from the ball. He was ready to take a free kick.

In front of him, five Anderlecht players had formed a wall to defend against set-pieces. Nero saw that Anderlecht were in a bad situation because the free kick was given in a dangerous position. Milicevic, the attacking midfielder of Gent, had just put the ball on the line just outside the 18-yard box. He can use one of his legs to find the target and widen Gent's lead.

*PRIIIIIITTTTT*

The referee blew the whistle. Milicevic ran towards the ball and took a free kick with the inside of his right shoe. He released a curved ball around the defense that tore towards the goal like a missile. Gent number 8 has taken a good free kick. Tension mounts on the visitors' bench. A goal away will almost certainly close Anderlecht's comeback chances.

However, Silvio, Anderlecht's goalkeeper, was very alert and came to the rescue. He jumped high and made a brilliant save, pushing the ball out of the game with his arms outstretched. Anderlecht survived conceding one more goal. Most of the players on the bench let out a sigh of relief.

But the danger is not over. The referee pointed towards the corner flag, giving a corner kick to KAA Gent. The bench warmers, including Nero, could only wait anxiously until Anderlecht held out against a corner. Since they are not on the pitch, there is not much they can do to change the situation of the game. They can only encourage their team and hope for the best without touching the ball. It was the sadness of a bench warmer.

The referee blew the whistle and without delay, Carlos Diogo, Gent's left-back, took a corner kick.

Nero watched attentively as Carlos sent a teasing corner ball towards the packed box. The players in the box push and pull each other as they fight to beat each other and answer the incoming crosses. The situation inside the box was chaotic, but the referee did not blow the whistle.

Nero could only hold his breath as he looked at the situation in the area with distress. Nicklas Pedersen is a Gent player number 9, jumping high and connecting with the crossing after losing his guard. He fired a header from around the penalty spot, which clearly led into the right post.

Nero felt his heartbeat speed up as he realized that Silvio was already a dead step. He can judge that a header will probably result in a goal. But to his relief, Bram Nuytinck, veteran defender of Anderlecht, showed up at the right time. He intercepted the ball near the goalpost and kicked it to safety.

Anderlecht survived once again. But the excitement on the field is not over. Luka Milivojevic, took the ball from Bram's clearance around the edge of the box. Without lingering, he looked up and unleashed a measured pass towards Massimo Bruno, who had long since started running towards half of Gent's pitch.

The counterattack is underway.

Massimo Bruno, turn around and control the ball well near the halfway line on the left wing. Around him there are a few yards of space to work with as most defenders are still in Anderlecht's defensive area after a corner. So, without delay, Massimo shot towards Gent's box like a rocket. He is so fast that none of the two defenders who defend can match his pace.

Massimo ran and in a short time, was already on the edge of Gent's penalty box. He made a cut-back pass to the edge of the box where Ronald Vargas, Anderlecht's attacking midfielder, had just arrived.

Ronald Vargas did well to control the pass on the edge of the box. He then fired a shot towards the roof of the goal without pressure. All the players on the bench, including Nero, stood up, anticipating a goal because it was Anderlecht's best chance since the start of the game.

However, the goddess of fortune seems to have left Anderlecht that day. Even though the Gent goalkeeper was out of position, he could still jump high and make brilliant saves. Anderlecht wasted a chance to score their first goal in the 59th minute of this crucial Pro Ligue match. The players and coaching staff in the parlor of the visitors all sighed at the missing opportunity.

Nero was about to return to his seat on the bench but then realized that Coach Marcel seemed to notice him with a pensive expression. A jolt of excitement straightened his spine. He felt a hint of displeasure he felt as he watched Anderlecht perform a miserable performance at the time. He can guess that the coach will make a change of players.

But he is not sure if the coach will keep his word and give him playing time even when the team is two goals behind. So, he can only try to reveal that he is ready by making eye contact with the coach.

"OK, Nero and Matias, time for you" said Coach Marcel. "Prepare and start warming up immediately. You have five minutes to get ready."

"Yes, coach," Zachary replied, in a serious tone.

He will finally make his first appearance in the Pro Ligue. Nothing else matters as long as he can play football on the professional stage. A gentle smile graced her face as she tightened her shoelaces and prepared herself to start warming up. He could barely hold back his happiness.