Second Chances: Indonesian Football Player

Chapter 26: First Match in Europe (2)

The first few minutes there was a fight for the ball in midfield. No team managed to hold the ball long enough to make an important impact on the match for ten minutes of the first half.

Anderlecht's blue-blue-clad boys struggled to dominate possession in midfield, but they were always quickly shut down by Zulte's players dressed in red white.

Zulte Waregem U-19 proved difficult to beat

They play a Conventional 4 4 2 formation that gives them a solid base structure with depth of defense and number of attacks. All of their players have clearly marked roles.

When Zulte's team loses the ball, their four defenders and four midfielders will put themselves in front of Anderlecht players so they can cover all sides of the width of the field so that Anderlecht forward is quite difficult to enter the heart of the defense of Zulte Waregem

Their game was like the typical Mourinho game when he faced Barcelona with Inter Milan.

But at 16 minutes of play, Leander Dendoncker showed the game like his superstar. He attracted the attention and support of the home crowd. His game was phenomenal, he made our team play very lively with his touch of the ball. The other midfielder will try to open up space or try to stab and penetrate into the Zulte area to wait for his pass.

His long pass is quite accurate, he always supplies the ball to Lukaku which is an Anderlecht U-19 centre-forward. They both created the first good chances in 20 minutes of the game.

The goalkeeper quickly gave the ball to Dendoncker who immediately released a long pass to Lukaku. Lukaku had time and space in the box after receiving a good pass and immediately released a kick. But his shot can be saved well by goalkeeper Zulte.

The Anderlecht team won their first corner.

Sandy Walsh, our right-back stepped up to take a corner kick. He took a swing and fired the ball into the box, but one of Zulte's defenders won an aerial duel against Kabasele and threw the ball away from their box.

Despite failing to score, it was clear to all spectators that Anderlecht had begun to establish their dominance in the game.

I watched the game from the bench. I sat at the furthest end of the team officials with my focus spread out. My mind was filled with nervous anticipation. My toes were itching to kick the ball after watching the early minutes of the game today.

“Sial.” I heard coach Marcel cursing for the umpteenth time during the first half.

I glanced at him and saw him rubbing his head in frustration.

I empathize with him.

Back to Match.

Our right-wing Nathan Kabasele had just fired a cross into the box, but one of Zulte's defenders swiftly jumped and headed the ball out of their box.

The deadlock of the game is the worst nightmare for a coach. Although Anderlecht appear to be in control of the game with higher ball possession, the match situation may change at any time. It only took one goal for Zulte to turn things around above Anderlecht. I've watched Greece win Euro 2004 that way.

And my prediction came true when coach Zulte Waregem made two substitutions early in the second half. He put two fresh players into the game.

One of them is the right wing that has tremendous speed and ability to pass through its opponent. The other is a central midfielder who has a strong physique in the duel and a capable defensive ability.

When the two entered they immediately made a significant impact in the 47th minute of the game.

With Anderlecht's central field general locked in, Zulte Waregem's game becomes even more lively. Crossing passes began to arrive from both sides of their wings towards their strikers. On the right side, the newly-entered right winger fired in a cross with a fine cut and threatened Anderlecht's goal. It seems he has complete freedom to rotate anywhere according to his role, Free Roam. He can appear as a winger on the right and left of the field and can also be as their third striker simultaneously.

He tortured right-back and left-back Anderlecht immediately after entering the game.

He strengthened his influence in the 54th minute of the game. Midfielder Anderlecht passed each other neatly and waited for an opportunity to start the attack, but they made a mistake and lost the ball. Defending midfielder Zulte picked up the wrong pass and went straight for a deep pass towards the right wing.

Quickly, their newly-entered right winger ran and took a good pass, then immediately dribbled past Anderlecht left-back Jordan Lukaku. He quickly drove towards the penalty box. Jonathan Vervoort tried to stop him, but he passed Vervoort and fired a right-footed shot into the corner of the goal.

Davy Roef tried to reach the ball, but his effort was futile, quickly and forcefully the ball tore through Anderlecht's net turning the score into 0-1 with Zulte leading.

“Sial,sial.” I heard coach Marcel cursing when he saw Zulte's players celebrating their first goal of the game. Anderlecht dominated the game, but now they were even one goal behind with thirty minutes remaining.

Coach Marcel seemed so frustrated. He looked towards the bench looking at Arnaud de Greef and then Nero Juniar. His eyes reflected his doubt. He seemed to be considering which one he should put in the current precarious situation.

I waited anxiously for the coach's decision. I understood that I would have more chances to perform only when I entered the game early.

Coach Marcel sighed and said.

“Nero, go warm up first. You only have five minutes. Come here for instructions after you're done.”

‘Finally my inner’ while standing up and saying to the coach.

“Ya, coach.” I said.

Call him sadistic, but I'm a little bit happy his team is missing the numbers. Otherwise, I might play less than ten minutes. I needed some playing time where I could make a significant impact. And when his team missed the score it was my best stage to impress the coaches.

I quickly warmed up with an excited feeling.

Meanwhile on the bleachers Ryandi who saw his friend Nero was warming up, shouted happily. That means Nero will be entering the game soon. Same with Sage and Mr. Thorgan.

“Finally he will enter the game.” Said Mr. Thorgan with a smile.

“Yes, we can finally see Jun on his first match here.” Sage said with a happy smile as he looked at Nero who was warming up.