Second Chances: Indonesian Football Player

Chapter 14: Following the Delay

I started to observe the position of every player on the field. The body language of my opponents and teammates was very detailed in my mind.

Najmi, our goalkeeper picked up the ball to restart the game. The ball was out after Fiqh failed to fire a shot on goal.

In front of me I saw the face of Ichsan, the attacker of my team, still excited and determined. He eagerly waited for the ball deep within the area of the opposing team. The striker still hasn't given up which makes me relieved.

For the first time today, I noted there was a gap in the opponent's formation. I can see a lot of space between the midfield of the opposing team and the defender that has the potential to be utilized by my team. My A+ spatial awareness has already done its work.

‘Hm opponent has relaxed, let's start.’ I thought with a smile, I turned around to receive the ball from the goalkeeper.

Najmi quickly took the goal kick. He passed the ball to Karvin in the half of the opposing team's field. However Fiqih jumped high in the air and headed the ball back into our team area. Raihan controlled the ball with his chest and directly passed the ball to me without even looking up.

I was relieved when I saw the ball rolling towards me. I immediately controlled the ball beautifully with my left foot before turning and running towards the opposing team's defense. I left Galih looking after me. I had a few yards to run free with the ball because no one was close to me.

I ran quickly and penetrated deep into the opponent's defense in a matter of seconds. As it moved I looked towards Ichsan, our centre-forward who was running on the right side of the opponent's 18yard box. He seemed to draw the attention of the defenders away from Karvin on the right.

As I looked closer, I saw two shadows coming out of him. One kept running to the right side of the goal while the second headed left. I'm a little confused to see that.

But I didn't have time to think about it so I quickly passed towards the second shadow that rushed out to the left. I saw it was a space that was ignored by the opposing centre-back. Both Galuh and Faren kept Karvin tight.

I hope the attackers will interpret my intentions and use my bait. I know this has a small chance of happening because the strikers have never trained or played with me until today.

But surprisingly, I saw Ichsan had rerouted his running route as I released a circular pass through the defenders. Ichsan ran excitedly towards the left side of the goal. He followed the exact same trail through which the shadow emerged from his body.

He received my pass and fired a good shot and it turned out that the goalkeeper of the opposing team reacted late so that the ball managed to get into the jarring behind the opponent.

GOAL

The score was 3-1

Ichsan quickly picked up the ball from inside the goal and returned to the middle of the field. We are still 2 goals behind so there is no time to celebrate. After putting the ball in the middle, he came up to me and offered me a tos I received.

“Umpan nice.” He said with a smile

I just nodded and returned his smile with a small smile.

‘The shading coming out of Ichsan must be a manifestation of Iniesta's vision.’ Thought speculating.

The kick off is then again started. The blue team again attacked through Fiqih on the right. He was kept tight by Kevin, but he got through it. He quickly passed into the middle to Galih, but I quickly intercepted the ball and managed to snatch it, I immediately gave a quick pass to Raihan, who was not there, he immediately passed away to Ryandi who was in an empty position.

And again I saw two shadows coming out of Ichsan without a second thought I passed towards the shadow that was heading towards the right. Again just like before, Ichsan again headed in the direction of passing the same route through by the shadow that came out of him. He received the ball well, while Galuh tried to close it, but Ichsan managed to throw a shot into the bottom corner of the left of the goal. But this time the goalkeeper against Arhan can block the ball with his feet. A corner for our team. Ichsan held his head with both hands regretting that he had missed the second goal.

“Umpan nice.” Ichsan commented when I arrived at the penalty box of the opposing team to receive a corner kick.

Don't worry about missed opportunities.” I said

“I'll send you more balls like that. Make sure you score.” I smiled as I patted his shoulder

“Say you won't get another chance to do anything. I'll mark you.” A new voice came from behind them. I turned around only to find Arya standing behind me. The shady smile on his pure face made him seem too arrogant, like a cassanova.

I frowned but ignored him. I don't want to be in conflict with anyone else today. I've learned my lesson. The corner kick Ryandi was about to do was the only one on my mind.

But I got another vision.

A ball-shaped shadow came floating towards the penalty box from the direction of the corner kick. It was headed by one of the opposing player's shadows and divided into three balls. Two of them slide to the right side and the left outside of the box. But the last one went right into the middle outside the box.

I calmly thought about the choice I would make. But I made up my mind when Ryandi kicked the ball

I quietly began to move away from Arya who was looking after me. When the ball almost reached its highest point, I ran out of the box and positioned myself in the middle and waited for the ball.I put my rainbow on the shadow that went towards the middle outside the box.

Arya looked at my decision, but she smiled and ignored me after seeing the ball drifting from a corner. Ryandi takes a less accurate corner kick that is easily snubbed by Fiqih.

I was right in the middle outside the box, seeing the ball flying towards me.

‘This is it.’ Thought. I focused on the ball coming in and controlled a little bit with my chest and then let go of the volley tight and straight into the top right corner of the goal.

*BAMM*

The ball entered the goal with a loud enough noise, it surprised everyone, especially the goalkeeper. A long-range shot shot shot shot into the top right corner of the goalpost, unobstructed. The score was 3-2.

I immediately ran to take the ball from the opposing team's net, I did not celebrate this goal because we were still 1 point behind. I immediately ran to the middle of the field. There's fifteen more minutes left. I would have lost a lot if I hadn't won this game.