Second Chances: Indonesian Football Player
Chapter 27: First Match in Europe (3)
“Your task in this match is simple, I want you to turn off the movement of the number 14 winger.” Coach Marcel said as he pointed to the player who had just entered.
I saw the no 14 had just received another pass and started dribbling into the half of Anderlecht's pitch. He quickly gave a crossing into our box, quite close to the touchline. Fortunately Alexandre De Bruyn one of Anderlecht's defensive midfielders swiftly jumped and headed the ball out of the field.
The referee blew his whistle and pointed to the corner flag.
“Tell Dendoncker to adapt to new patterns. As we did in Practice, Dendoncker will remain a defensive midfielder, while De Bruyn will move a bit forward and serve the strikers. While you will have a free roam role in midfield to get a better grip to the no.14's player.” The coach gave me instructions.
He looked at me for a moment with eyes full of doubt.
“Do you understand clearly? Or do you need me to get the board.?” She asked. The coach seemed to doubt my ability to understand his instructions.
I looked at coach Marcel and replied firmly
“Ya coach, I understand.” I said clearly and firmly.
“Hopefully so..” he said slowly
“You have handled and intercepted the feed well during our Training session. Do the same thing on the field and turn off the movement of the damn kid.” Coach Marcel said as he slapped my back.
“OK, then go to the field and make a change.” Added.
“DING”
Not long after the coach slapped me on the back, the Interface system appeared before me.
I was a little surprised and slowed down my pace as I walked beside the fourth official. I glanced at the translucent screen and noticed that there was a new mission from the system.
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Mastery Quest
new Mission: Your coach has given you an important task.
Task 1: Turns off the movement of the Player of the Back Number 14 in the game
Task 2: Look impressive and get your first fans.
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‘Receive’ ‘Tolak’
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Reward :
30 EXP Points
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“Pinalty if the mission is still not completed at the end of the game (Nothing if you reject the mission now )
- Minus 40 EXP Points.
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*Remarks: Opportunities don't happen, if you don't make them.
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I quickly and unhesitatingly clicked the receive button after I finished perusing the contents of the mission. It was the first mission with a considerable reward of EXP Points. I have a feeling I'm gonna need them soon.
I have decided to collect more experience points to improve the system. From my experience reading novels, I knew that the system would be more helpful to the host after the upgrade.
Meanwhile in the Tribune
Sage was watching the match in a more vacant section of the Stadium. The match started to bore him after Anderlecht's U-19 team had a difficult situation.
He hates defeat and always has to leave the venue every time his team falls behind. But then, he noticed that Nero had already started warming up on the sidelines.
A beautiful smile immediately lit up his face. He considered it his first project, the first player he discovered early in his career as a scout. Sage are looking forward to seeing how he will perform against the U-19 side in Belgium. Only then would he throw away all doubts about his talent.
“So that's the kid you found.” He heard coach Ariel Jacobs ask his grandfather
He is the manager at Anderlecht. He is a very successful manager at Anderlecht. He won the league in his first season, winning the league 5 times out of the 7 seasons he led. He had just won another league championship the year before.
Despite his retirement, Ariel Jacobs still had a lot of influence on Anderlecht's management. Sage had heard some rumors that his standing was comparable to that of the club's chairman.
“Ya the dia.” Mr. Thorgan answered Ariel Jacobs's question.
“Oh okay.” Mr. Jacobs said before returning to focus his attention on the match.
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I entered the field after the ball came out and produced a throw-in for our team.
I came in as a midfielder and replaced another midfielder, Samy Bourard.
I ran withstanding the increased pressure on my chest. My feet felt heavy as if I was wading through the ocean. I feel very anxious because I was playing for the first time in European football.
I immediately ran to Dendoncker and gave the coach instructions before moving to left midfield to get closer to the No. 14 position of the Zulte team winger.
I have decided to follow the coach's instructions with all my efforts. That's the only thought that comes to my mind right now.
In my previous life, I made a mistake when I came on as a substitute in my first professional match at Jakarta Sports City. I didn't follow the coach's instructions and was replaced quickly afterwards.
The game continues with a throw-in. Jordan made a throw at Dendoncker, but no.6 midfielder Zulte managed to grab the ball and quickly passed to the right flank to No.14.
The No.14 received the ball well and played one-two with midfielder Zulte. They advanced towards the Anderlecht goal after successfully passing Mehdi Tarfi and immediately entered into our defensive area. Their short passes were neat and neat allowing them to progress towards our goal unhindered. If it is allowed to continue like this, we will be in trouble.
I don't want to let them do what they want. I saw some ball shadows and human silhouettes coming out of their bodies in different directions. Andres Iniestaku's vision is in action once again.
I quickly ran towards the wings while concentrating on the no.14 running figure. The winger had just received the ball and ran past Sandy Walsh using side steps.
I then saw two human-shaped shadows emerge from the Winger's profiled figure. The one headed to the corner flag after passing Sandy. Others cross diagonally towards our goal.
I didn't need to think long about which route I should take. I have watched the winger play while I was on the bench and was confident that he would cross into the box. Especially if he was wrong, he could still push the winger away from the goal.
However, even a second of consideration on my side had allowed that nimble winger to move past me. I quickly decided to do a tackle.
With my gaming intelligence enhanced by my high spatial awareness, I quickly measured my tackling time so that it would not cause any offense.
I quickly chased after the player before sliding in and pushed my right foot to welcome the ball in front of the player's foot.
With a clean I can tackle and snatch the ball from the player. Meanwhile the no.14 player fell to the ground.
The ball from my tackle was taken by Sandy. He quickly dribbled the ball forward. Meanwhile the no.14 player shouted to the referee.
“Ref….Ref.” I heard him yell while rolling around in the grass, looking hurt. But the referee ignored him and waved for the match to continue. Of course the tackle was not a foul because I could justly and cleanly snatch the ball before sweeping the player. Otherwise, the nearest line judge would fly his flag.
I grinned at the young winger before returning to midfield. I intend to use every possible means to keep the winger profiled out of the game. Smiling at a losing opponent after their brief duel is the best way to upset them without drawing the attention and anger of the referee.
