Second Chances: Indonesian Football Player

Chapter 13: Keeping Hope

I moved to the sidelines with slumped shoulders and closed my eyes in sadness and anger. My mouth is half pouting. I imagined that I would slap Raihan in the face when I repeated the moment when coach Rian sent me off the field in my mind. I feel desperate. There was no more emotion I could feel other than despair at this moment. There was no hope left, nothing left but the void that enveloped my mind in the swirling darkness. Everything I have worked so hard for has been destroyed.

I sat down while covering my head and face with my vest.

‘Why should I be lured by that fool on a day as important as this.’ Thought

‘Why? Why.?’ I thought I was covered in regrets.

Before the game, I thought that I could already control my emotions perfectly. Not like in his previous life. But in fact I was easily exposed to provocation from that jerk.

I heard cheers rang out and raised my head only to find that Arya had just scored again. The score becomes 2-0 just before half-time.

“DING”

The interface system appears by itself.

****

Mastery Quest

new Mission: Youth Football Trial in Jakarta (Serial Mission)

Task 2: Help your team win over the blue team

Task 3: Attract the attention of Football Academy officials or Scouts from the Club.

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Gift :

Open Analysis Tool (Can analyze everything about your opponent. It is only related to football)

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The penalty of failure :

Mastery System will be lost for two years

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‘Jeez, what the fuck is this.?’ I thought with surprise and worry. I saw the screen with a slightly pale face.

“How can I achieve all of this when I was kicked out of the game.” I said quietly in a slightly desperate voice.

I took my eyes off the system and sank into depression until the first round whistle rang. Now the score became 3-0 after Hilmy scored at the end of the first half.I sat down worse on the bench, until I was called up by coach Andreas a few minutes later.

“How do you feel?” ask coach Andrew.

“As garbage.” I said with a sad smile.

“Hahaha.” Coach Andreas laughed, pulling some gazes from the nearby scouts.

“You shouldn't think like that. There are various paths one can take to achieve something.” He said suggest me.

I'm nodding. I glanced towards the field and noticed the second half had started the score was still 3-0.

But I'm sure the red team will soon concede more goals. The blue team filled by Arya, Fiqih and Hilmy was too fierce. They were still pressing their opponents in their half of the field. Although Faishal is a good defender and Najmi is a great goalkeeper, their tiki-taka football is too fast for them to compete.

“The red team lost all motivation.” Coach Andreas commented nonchalantly.

“You and Raihan are the main culprit.” Added.

“Sorry coach.” I said

“You know that controlling emotions is one of the most important attributes of a sportsman. You won't get anything if you can't control your emotions.” Coach Andreas lecture.

I just listen in silence. I also noticed that one of the other coaches was talking to Raihan.

‘Will they allow us to return to play.’ I thought with hope. I will do my best even if only given fifteen minutes of play time. I just don't want to go away with regrets.

“I'll give you one more chance to impress the scouts.” Coach Andreas said with a smile

“Thank you, coach for the chance.” I bowed with gratitude.

“Talk to Raihan first. You two are teammates now and also the best midfielders the red team has. If you don't solve your problems, you two will never make it.” Coach suggested.

“Good, coach.” Answer me slowly.

To succeed, I will do anything. Talking to a jerk idiot is just a small inconvenience when compared to losing everything.

“Are you going back to the field too?”  he asked as I approached him. He just finished his chat with another coach. They stood on the sidelines, waiting to re-enter the game.

“What do you think.” I asked coldly.

“Sial” umpat Raihan

“I can't believe I stuck with you today all day.” He grunts/

“Why did you isolate me during the match.” I asked flatly while ignoring his chatter. I looked into his eyes sharply. I want to immediately resolve this pointless conflict between the two of us before we return to the match.

“Eh!” shock radiated on Raihan's face, it seemed like he wasn't expecting that question.

“I asked. Why didn't you pass on to me during the first round? We are in a test match, not backyard football.” I said stressing my question.

“You did not create space to receive the ball.” Raihan stuttered, taking a few steps away from me.

“Serious dude? What about the time when I was on your left with no opposing players around me?” I showed him. I have created space for myself to receive the ball, but Raihan always chose a long pass that made our team lose possession.

“OK,oke stop bothering me.” Oceh. He looked around to see if any coaches were looking at them. He gave up when he realized that coach Andreas' attention was on us.

“I'll give it to you when we get back. But this doesn't mean we're friends. Good Lord! I hope this is the last time we play in the same team.” He whispered.

“Cih I also hope so.” I replied coldly while turning my attention to the field analyzing the game.

“Whatever, as long as you pass the ball to me everything will be fine. Remember we only have less than twenty minutes to turn things around.” I emphasize

He didn't answer. He was just observing the match silently

I don't bother him anymore. My main goal is to impress the scouts instead of befriending them.

A minute later, coach Andreas blew the whistle and let us back into the game.

“Fatah” call me to Raihan. “Don't forget your promise.” I said before running confidently into the field. Raihan nodded and followed.

“You're back.” Ryandi ran towards me excitedly.

“Ryandi.” I clenched my fists with Ryandi

“We have to win this match to have a chance to impress the scouts. So focus and get back to your position and wait for my pass.” I told him

“Oke.” He said and ran back to his position. He could see the seriousness on my face and just do as I ordered.