Second Chances: Indonesian Football Player

Chapter 12: Unexpected issues

Seconds before kick off.

Coach Rian looked at his watch before gesturing for the team to take their position. All the players on the pitch, including me, were waiting for the whistle to start the game. This is a moment of truth that will determine the fate of all of us, everyone feeling tense.

Coach Rian has picked a red team to kick off. Ichsan and Karvin were already standing in the middle of the circle getting ready to start kick off.

Most of the scouts had already started to leave their seats in the stands. They have started to move closer to get a better view of the game. Most adjust their cameras to face the field to capture the moment of the game.

Coach Rian looked at his watch back before looking towards coach Andreas on the sidelines nodding.

*PRIIIIIITTTTTTTTT*

Kick-offs !

Ichsan passed the ball to Karvin and rushed forward without looking back.

“Karvin, oper here.” I said after seeing him looking for a teammate to pass the ball. I was not awake and ready to receive the ball. But Karvin ignored me and lured towards Toni on the left. But Fiqih blue team right player immediately tackled the ball cleanly and managed to snatch the ball from Toni and immediately pass to Galih in midfield.

Galih controlled the ball easily and passed Karvin who had been keeping it tight. He looked up and gave Long Ball Pass to Arya who had rushed to the red team penalty box.

Me and my team-mates couldn't even react when Arya received the ball outside the 18-yard box.Only Faishal stood against him between Arya and the goalkeeper. However Arya managed to get past him easily and fired a powerful shot into the bottom left corner, forcing Najmi to pull the ball out and resulting in a corner kick for the blue team.

Now the red team was under pressure due to poor judgment Karvin in the first minute who chose to pass to Toni which was guarded by the opponent which resulted in our team losing the ball and almost conceding.

“Karvin.” Call me.

“Why don't you pass to me?” I said as we ran back to half the field of our area to defend.

“Diam” She frowning.

“I will play my game and you can play your game. Don't block my path.” He said arrogantly while leaving me.

“Cih is not good.” I said while breathing.

The blue team took a corner kick quickly, but was successfully countered by our team. Over the next ten minutes, the game continued with the dominance of the blue team. The blue-vests boy dominated the midfield and controlled the ball possession.

Both Galih and Rian have three passes to Arya in our team's penalty box. That chance could have turned into a goal if not for the good looks of goalkeeper Najmi Alif.

I already have a clear picture of what's wrong with my team. My high game intelligence allowed me to conclude that some players chose to isolate myself. They didn't give him the ball, because I was the attacking midfielder responsible for building attacks. This behaviour proved costly for our team who are under this pressure.

This behavior is common, even in my past I experienced similar isolation during test matches on local football teams. Matches like this are so competitive that it is difficult for players to show off their skills. The main reason for this is the fact that players on the same team are competing against each other. They seek the attention of the scouts or coaches present. Therefore many players will be less likely to pass the ball to teammates whom they view as their rivals. But what surprised me was the appearance of such behavior in the trial involving teenagers.

‘Where is your sportiness spirit.’ I growled in my mind.

Our team again faced another attack threat from Arya and his team. I decided to move further back to counter the pressure exerted by the opponent.

But in the twenty-fifth minute of the first half, Raihan made a hard tackle against Hilmy on the left side of the penalty box. Coach Rian blew his whistle for the offense and gave a free kick to the blue team.

“What are you all doing there?” Raihan shouted to his team-mates

“Pairing posse.” Said

The players did not mind Raihan's rudeness and secretly put up a posse to defend from free kicks. I ignored Raihan and joined the posse.

Coach Rian blew the whistle and gestured for the blue team to take a free kick.

Hilmy sent a superb cross into the box where Arya was waiting. Arya did not waste the opportunity and did a header that passed Najmi. The ball bounces off the bottom of the right post before sliding into the back of the goal. Arya has scored his first goal in this match.

The score becomes 1-0 for the blue team advantage.

I stood up while clenching my hands, watching the others. All my team players had sad expressions with their shoulders slumped. I saw some scouts on the sidelines nodding at themselves as they stared at Arya.

‘So this is how Arya got to Europe before.’ I let out a breath. I'm sure the boy will be recruited by one of the academies after the game. I'll say a few words to encourage my other teammates before being interrupted by that bastard Raihan.

“Basic useless attacking midfielder.” He said while pointing at me with his index finger.

“They have taken over the midfield! What are you doing.” Said

I who heard that, felt my anger explode. With the isolation that his teammates had on me and hearing this person's ridicule, somehow my anger instantly overflowed

“Silent, hung.” I said, moving closer to face Raihan.

“You never pass the ball to me. What do you expect from me.?” I said full of anger.

*PRITTT*

As our argument began to escalate, coach Rian blew his whistle.

“Is there a problem.” He asked, approaching us.

“No.” Both Raihan and I responded simultaneously. We jumped away from each other.

“You two! Go to the bench and calm down.” Coach Rian shouted, furrowing his brows.

“Quick. We need to give a chance to those who take this match seriously.”

**** ****

Meanwhile in the stands

“One has been replaced.” Said Sage observing while putting down his camera.

“Does kamuy admit that Nero is a talented talent? He has not had any impact on the match so far.” He frowned.

“I beg you to be patient.” The old man said with a smile and sat back down. Unlike the other scouts who had moved to the running track, they were still sitting inside the stands.

“Have you noticed that the other players in his team have isolated him?” grandfather asked.

“What does it have to do with something?”

“In a test match, the player will only isolate his teammates for two scenarios.” Opinions of grandfather.

“One is when the player is too good and is able to cover the skills of others and reduce their chances of attracting scout. The second is when the player lacks skill and will squander the team's chances.

“Sage darling.. Which category do you think Nero belongs to.?” He said with a smile.

Sage inevitably raised his camera to observe Nero who was walking lethargic outside the field. He is somewhat muscular and tall for children his age, approaching 185cm according to his estimates.

Her hair was cut short in black like midnight with brown eyes that matched her hair. Framed by graceful dark eyebrows. He has prominent cheekbones with a slightly taper chin and nose that make him a little handsome. His face was firm and firm. Sage observed that his skin was tanned. He thought that Nero would grow into a handsome man in the future. But can he also grow into a talented player? That was the question that filled Sage's mind at the moment.

“I can't say at this time.” Answer Sage

“I will evaluate Nero's talent only when he performs on the field.” He said softly while putting down his camera.

“We will not be able to snatch the boys Arya,Hilmy,Faishal and Fiqih from the French and Spanish clubs.” Said the old man

“They have a better reputation than our little Belgian club. So we have to start looking at players they don't pay attention to”

“Like Nero and Ryandi?” Sage asked, opening the file once more.

“Ya, like them.” The old man said with a smile

“Fortunately for us that Nero did not perform well. Otherwise, he will also be taken away.” Candidates

“You wicked old man cake.” Gurau Sage with a smile.

“Must succeed in this business.” His grandfather chuckled before focusing on the match once more.