Second Chances: Indonesian Football Player

Chapter 29: End of the Match

Me and Dendoncker approached coach Marcel, and as I expected, the coach had called us to receive more instructions on how to win the game. He didn't even think about his goal but started giving us new instructions.

“The two of you will form a triangle with De Bruyn in midfield. In these remaining few minutes, I want you guys to press them hard and score again, understand?” said.

“Ya coach.” My words and Dendoncker

“And Nero. Don't try to dribble through midfield once more. Zulte's players will keep you tight for the rest of the game. Use short feeds instead.” Said to me.

I nodded to show my approval. I drank some water before I went back to the field.

Our team is finally back in the spirit after the game starts.

I followed the instructions given by coach Marcel and only used short passes instead of dribbling alone.

Together with Dendoncker and De Bruyn, we formed a midfield with a triangular pattern that dominated the midfield and controlled possession. I was far more involved in passing and attacking than I was before the first goal.

My only job is to take a pass from Dendoncker, and send a pass to the striker and our two wingers. Midfielder Zulte can't hold me back.

And a few times I managed to give a good breakthrough pass to our front three, but unfortunately we still failed to score an extra goal.

---- ---- ---- ----

“As you said, the boy is good at reading games.” Coach Jacobs said.

“Ya, right. Do according and akita can put it in the U-19 squad at this time.” Mr. Thorgan told Coach Jacobs.

“How old is it.?” Ask coach Jacobs.

“Her 16th year is on the stairs of December 5.” Said Mr. Thorgan.

“Thorgan. He's too young. We haven't been able to take him to the club.” Coach Jacobs said as he frowned.

“But..”.

“Thorgan, no but-fireplace.” Coach Jacobs interrupted Mr. Thorgan before he could finish his sentence.

“At this time, FIFA has introduced new regulations. The regulation prohibits international transfers involving underage players starting this year.” Said Mr. Jacobs.

“Do FIFA rules really matter? Clubs like Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in Spain have recruited young talent from all over the world this year Said Mr. Thorgan.

“This time they are seriously enforcing the rules. If we do not comply and sign a minor, who is a foreigner. We will risk a transfer ban that could last for several seasons.” Mr. Jacobs said seriously.

“That serious?” ask Mr. Thorgan.

“Yes, we received the first notice about that rule last year. You were still in the hospital.” Coach Jacobs said as he nodded.

“Then, how do we handle the boy? As you can see, he is very talented. We can't lose him.” Said Mr. Thorgan.

“We will send him to the affiliated academy until he is eighteen years old. RSCA Youth Aacdemy is the best choice. FIFA will have no reason to question us, as long as he is exclusively an amateur player. He will get a scholarship, studying at one of the high schools here in Brussels.” Coach Jacobs said with a smile, before adding

“Basically we won't be in contact with him until he grows up. We were able to put him on our list when he was 18. It's just one more season.” Added.

Mr. Thorgan sighed. “This regulation will disrupt the opportunities of many young talents from developing countries. They will most likely be wasted without proper training.”

“You should have known about previous cases of unscrupulous agencies and organizations exploiting young talents from developing countries. FIFA intends to reduce the number of children sent by their families at the risk of being abandoned in Europe by such fools.” Said Mr. Jacobs.

“I already promised him that he would join the U-19 team if he performed well in the match.”

“The boy will be in good hands. The period until he was 18 years old would allow him to refine his technique further. It will be good for its development.” Further.

“I hope so.” Said Mr. Thorgan with a sigh before Returning to focus on the match.

---- ---- ---- ----

The match was still deadlocked, with two minutes remaining, minus the extra time.

Anderlecht always attack and press Zulte Waregem in their half of the field.

Mehdi Tarfi has just sent a good crossing into the box. But the return can be discarded by one of the central defenders from Zulte.

It was another chance to score from a corner for our team.

Most of my teammates headed to Zulte's penalty box to receive a pass from a corner kick. Meanwhile, 11 players from Zulte were seen filling the penalty box making their defense crowded and difficult to penetrate.

In the meantime I stayed behind just a few yards outside the box. I didn't join the commotion inside. I want to try my long-range kick from outside the box.

But then I heard coach Marcel screaming from the sidelines.

“Nero, go to the penalty box. Why do you just shut up outside the box pinalti.” His shouting.

I hesitated, wanting to stay in my position. I can easily shoot on goal from here. But Coach Marcel yelled again for me to get into the box and now he looks even more angry.

I could only sigh and immediately head to the opponent's penalty box after a few seconds of consideration. I would rather lose than antagonize the coach at the beginning of my career in Europe.

I'll stay in my position if I'm sure I'll score from the edge of the box. But my Iniesta Vision isn't always 100% perfect. This involved some guessing and deducing the path of the ball based on my observations and ingenuity of the game. If I disobey the coach and fail to score, I will be in big trouble.

When I entered the penalty box immediately there was a Zulte defender with a height high enough to escort me. I ignored him and focused on Mehdi preparing to take a corner.

Mehdi immediately kicked the ball, I prepared to receive his pass. But unfortunately the pass is not too good and instead headed towards the goalkeeper's hand that will jump. Opportunities seemed to be missing and players from both sides started to relax.

But I didn't. I just noticed that the hands of goalkeeper Zulte were in a strange position, I noticed some small details that I immediately knew that the goalkeeper was going to drop the ball. Other players will miss some of those little details, but not with me. Using Iniesta's Vision, I can conclude with certainty that the goalkeeper will drop the ball.

I immediately moved to take advantage of a small mistake from the goalkeeper. And it turns out that it's true that goalkeeper Zulte is not perfect in catching the ball, so that I could easily take the falling ball before putting it easily into Zulte's goal so that changed the score to 2-1 for our advantage.

I immediately celebrated the goal by running towards Mehdi. Not only me, my teammates ran behind me and we celebrated the goal together. This is my first goal in Europe of course I am very happy to have scored that goal.

---- ---- ---- ----

Ryandi watched his friend score his first goal in Europe.

He cheered along with the enthusiastic fans in the back stands of Anderlecht's goal. They clenched their fists into the air as their emotions surged to a new level of height.

Nero's goal surprised him a lot because he appeared suddenly from seemingly non-existent opportunities.

His achievement made Ryandi want to take to the field to practice. If Nero can do it, he can too. Maybe not at first, but with relentless training and determination, he will succeed.

Ryandi wants to come back and practice. However, he wanted to see if his friend could do any more miracles in the game.

He continued to watch the match until it ended with a score of 2 – 1 for Anderlecht U – 19.