Second Chances: Indonesian Football Player
Chapter 25: First Match in Europe
The match day finally arrived.
Belgian people love their football, or rather, their football team. The people of Brussels are no exception. Rumors of Anderlecht's U-19 clash against Zulte Waregem had spread rapidly in the city of Brussels over the previous few days. They attracted a large number of fans who had arrived at the stadium two hours before the start of the match.
At 14:30, the stands behind one of the goalposts were fully filled. It was the part of the stadium that often housed loyal fans—also members of Anderlecht's support club during matches.
Ryandi can feel the adrenaline from the pitch to the stands and flow right around the stadium. It was the kind of tension mixed with excitement that should not have happened for a simple U-19 game. He is delighted that he has joined a new group of friends to the stadium. And this is a very passionate group of fans.
He looked expectantly at his friend, Nero. He was among the Anderlecht U-19s warming up between the goal posts guarding both ends of the pitch perfect. He looked like a true professional in the blue Anderlecht training kit.
**** ****
For me, it was a perfect day with the ideal conditions to play my first game in Europe. The weather that afternoon was very sunny. Blue sky, no wind, ambient temperature—more like no weather. The usual autumn cold was not there on that Tuesday.
Lotto Park Stadium is a perfect grass millionaire who is as eager to start the game as the fans who have brought the stadium to light. I could hear their loud cheers that sparked my desire to perform. But at the same time, I was a little overwhelmed by the atmosphere. It's been a long time since I last played in front of a crowd.
I stretched my legs and watched the Zulte Waregem players warming up on the other side of the field. Their light gray training equipment seemed a bit dull to my eyes.
As they controlled the field in perfect formation, a soft and steady jeer filled the air. Anderlecht's home fans had already given Zulte's team hell before the game even started. Although the new stadium was filled by a quarter, the cheers of the fans were deafening.
"All the players stopped the warm-up practice and headed to the dressing room..." The assistant coach, Andre Robert, shouted as he moved around the half of the field occupied by the Rosenborg team.
"June! Jun!"
As I ran towards the changing room, he heard someone calling my name from one of the empty stands. I looked up only to find Sage, Mr. Thorgan, and the other old man sitting right beside the entrance of the stadium tunnel.
"We support you," cried Sage as I directed my gaze towards the three.
"Thank you." I said those words. I waved to them before moving towards the changing room.
"Do you know Sage Royce?" A voice rang out from behind me as soon as I stepped into the tunnel.
I turned around and noticed that the substitute goalkeeper had arrived behind me at some point. She is Jelle Mercx, a tall bule with blue eyes and sharp jaws. His combination of blonde hair, tied into a ponytail, and his thunderous voice made him look intimidating.
"Yes" I replied casually.
"But just friends" I continued.
Mercx watched me with narrowed, stiff, and cold eyes before saying:
"I hope what you say is true. If no. Hmmm." He snorted before continuing into the dressing room.
"Did old Mercx trouble you?" Leander Dendoncker asked. He came to me right after the goalkeeper left.
"No. She just said hello," I honestly replied.I don't take Jelle Mercx's words seriously. It was the thought of the match that filled my mind at the moment. I wouldn't care about a teenager's babble before my first game.
"That's cool." Dendoncker patted the back of my shoulder.
"Focus on the game. I'm sure the coach will give you a chance today." He gave me a thumbs up before continuing into the dressing room.
I found the locker room in a mess. Shouts, shouts, and laughter rang out back and forth in the air, bouncing from the lockers like metal bullets. Most players slowly wore Blue jerseys and blue pants. It was Anderlecht's official home jersey.
"Nero," Sandy Walsh, the only other Indonesian in the room, called out to me after seeing me standing near the entrance. He is a player with a short haircut. The coach has appointed him as one of the starters for the game.
"Thank you" I said before taking the jersey. Since I have not officially joined the team, I received a jersey without a number for that match.
Coach Marcel and his assistant came in immediately. The room became quiet. Anderlecht's U-19 team, wearing their full jerseys, shifted their focus to the coach.
"We're going to play a 4 3 3 formation ..." He immediately explained his tactics while writing down the troops on the blackboard attached to the wall.
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Goalkeeper; Davy Roef .
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Centre-back; Jonathan Vervoort, Herve Matthys.
Right back; Sandy Walsh. Left-back; Jordan Lukaku.
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Midfielder (Defensive); Alexandre De Bruyn, Leander Dendoncker.
Midfielder (Strike); Samy Bourard.
Right Wing: Nathan Kabasele. Left wing; Mehdi Tarfi.
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Central striker: Romelu Lukaku
**** ****
After a few minutes, the coach revealed the formation and tactics of the first half. The team will play with four defenders, 3 midfielders, and 3 attackers. Coach Marcel intends to close every chance of the opponent's pass. Thus, players would attack and defend together like a pack of wolves.
I was left on the bench with Mercx, and Arnaud de Greef. But I feel something different. It was my first game with the club. I didn't expect to be in the starting line-up for my first game with the club.
With a calm mind, I left the dressing room and headed to the technical area to watch the start of the match. I had to analyze every moment of the game to look for opportunities I could take advantage of when I joined the game as a substitute.
Both teams did not keep fans waiting for long.
At exactly 15:45 on Tuesday, two teams of eleven walked onto the field to prepare for the match today.
The match between Anderlecht U19 versus Zulte Waregem U19 finally began.
The referee blew the whistle to mark the game's start
Zulte Waregem will kick off in the first half
Cheers from Anderlecht supporters behind Zulte Waregem's goal shook the stadium this afternoon. They chanted some names of players who entered the stadium like Lukaku and Dendoncker.
