Second Chances: Indonesian Football Player

Chapter 28: First Match in Europe (4)

* Back in Tribune *

As the game progresses, it has become clear to Sage that the number 14 player from Zulte Waregem has lost his influence in the game. Every time he dribbled to the Anderlecht defence he was interrupted by Nero. The Indonesian boy did a good job even in a defensive role in midfield.

Nero not only tightly controlled the winger and overshadowed his every move as the no.6 midfielder did to Dendoncker. He will also move quickly into his position as Anderlecht lose the ball and put himself between the no.14 and his team's goal. When the winger runs forward and dribbles, he will use his sliding tackle to sweep the ball.

Free roam in midfield has allowed Nero to help both wings as Zulte Waregem's side attack. The return match was deadlocked in midfield after Nero managed to stop the agile winger's pace from Zulte Waregem U-19.

Anderlecht played well with their winger moving forward and flanking Romelu Lukaku. Both wingers use their speed before crossing or cut inside towards the opponent's goal. They managed to threaten Zulte's goal a few times but have not been able to match the score and score.

The 4 3 3 formation and pattern of play now works well for Anderlecht's youth team.

But what worried the Sage the most was his score. Anderlecht's U-19 team was still one goal behind, but the clockwork was approaching the 80th minute.

If they don't score quickly, they will lose. It won't look good on Nero's CV and might affect his confidence.

“Your son seems good at surviving.” He heard coach Jacobs say

“He has a very sharp instinct and reads the winger's game easily. He will be a good centre-back.”

Mr. Thorgan sighed before saying.

“That's not why I brought it to Anderlecht. He's got something else, which is even much better.” Said

“Bulkah?” said coach Jacobs who looked surprised.

“Ya” Mr. Thorgan nodded.

“She hasn't even shown a quarter of her ability. Coach Marcel only used him in positions that were not suitable for him.

“What is his natural position.?”

“Central View.” Answer Mr. Thorgan.

“But he should be in an attacking role rather than defending. His passing ability is phenomenal, maybe even better than Dendoncker.” Said again.

“It's been a long time since I heard you rate players that high.” Coach Jacobs said with a smile

“Now my interest is piqued.” Before you focus back on the match.

---- ----

As the match progressed, the chant progressed from the stands behind Anderlecht's goalposts to becoming a feisty tune meant to spark the home players' performance.

“Ohh. Shalalalala..., Oh Anderlecht...” The fans hiked while jumping and dancing to a rhythm determined by the clapping of their hands.

I looked around and began to observe the entire width of the field. Goalkeeper Zulte was about to take a goal kick. The ball had just come out after another failed attempt from the Anderlecht strikers. Our attackers have missed more than a dozen chances to score.

The Zulte Waregem goalkeeper kicked the ball high and sent it deep into our half of the pitch. One of our centre-backs headed it back high into midfield towards my position.

I'm the only one who has room to receive the ball since the opposing team keeps all the other midfielders tight. It seemed they thought of him as a mere defender with no ability to attack and left him unguarded by any opponent.

I quickly took advantage of the situation. I accept and control the ball with my chest before running the ball towards the opponent's defense.

I just saw a clear white line running from my position through the field to the box. My high intelligence attributes (Spatial Awareness and Risk Assessment) had just made me aware of the safe route to run dribbling.

Sweat ran down my face as my heart pounded in my chest as I continued to dribble towards the Zulte Waregem team's penalty box.

Two opposing players appeared in front of me. I slowed my pace a bit before doing the fake to the left but then instead sped up my pace and moved to the right with the ball fixed close to my feet. My dribbling is not something fancy, just the occasional change of pace in my longs that allows me to get past the Zulte players.

I managed to get past two opposing players and continue towards the goal. I ignored one player chasing before passing two incoming sliding tackles.

I quickly saw that I was already in the box with only one defender between me and the kipper. The defender was prepared to stop me, but with one fake shot I managed to trick the defender and take a hard kick towards the goal. However, I saw the tip of the goalkeeper's finger sweep the ball and push it a little higher than the intended path. My heart jumped into my throat when I saw that.

‘Please enter.’ I thought I was praying in my heart.

But it turns out the ball hit the crossbar and bounced back onto the field.

With a reflex I turned around trying to chase him, but I saw Lukaku pouncing on the loose ball near the penalty point and fired a horizontal shot into the empty middle of the goal, making the score 1-1.

Finally we managed to equalize in the 83rd minute. Cheers Erupt like a volcano at Lotto Park Stadium. All the fans celebrated the goal scored by Romelu Lukaku.

Lukaku did not celebrate alone, he ran towards me and pulled me into the bear's arms and said.

“That's an amazingly good Sprint. Thank you.”

Before I could reply, the other Anderlecht players came jumping into us and hugging us to celebrate the goal.

My aunt curled into a smile as I tried to suppress my overflowing emotions. Everything came back at that moment. My crazy sprint through midfield has produced a equaliser. He wasn't even sure how he could dribble past the four Zulte players.

We immediately walked back to our half of the field. But then coach Marcel called me and Dendoncker for a second.

“Nero, Leander, come here.” I heard coach Marcel calling me from the sidelines.

I'm not worried that the coach will ask me because he left my position earlier. Scoring goals and winning games is the most important thing for a coach. They support players who can see the gaps between opposing formations and take advantage of them.