Second Chances: Indonesian Football Player

Chapter 33

I let myself down from the treadmill as sweat stuck to his skin like freshly melted snow crystals. My legs feel like jelly— and there is increased nausea from my stomach.

It never ceases to amaze me as the muscles that have worked so hard just a few seconds ago then struggle to hold my weight. I relaxed for a few seconds before jumping into the exercise machine once again to restart the high-intensity routine.

I only have one exercise left to complete the mission of the system that I have been working on for over a year.

I'm happy with the training plan designed by the system. High-intensity interval training mimics the actual rhythm of a football match— in which a player can quickly switch between walking around the field and running into the box.

I have been going through the routine for over six months to condition my body to adapt to the efficient way it uses oxygen and prepare for the sudden change in pace in the game.

That system gradually increased the frequency or number of repetitions in my running routine on the treadmill.

For example, the system had assigned me a 30-second weekly task of repeating high-speed sprints on a treadmill, spaced out at 1-minute rest intervals for the first three months of the mission. The following months, the mission consisted of shorter and shorter rest intervals to increase the intensity of the exercise.

I kept increasing the pressure on my musculoskeletal system to gain muscle size, strength, and endurance. And my efforts have been fruitful during the training years. I'm stronger physically than I was the year before.

I'm sure I can survive a physical fight against the strongest U-19 Anderlecht player. I was itching to undergo an official match to test my skills.

I was in a good mood as my body grew stronger as the months went on. On the treadmill, I always felt fast up there, excited. To feel my strength, to feel my own body flying at such speed before slowing down, it gave immediate feedback to the soul and kept my inner flame healthy and bright.

"DING"

The system notification rang when I was in the eighteenth routine of a high-intensity workout. It was music to my ears because it showed that I had completed the final task of an exaggerated one-year progressive fitness training mission.

Before I knew it, I had already smiled a little, a smile with a twist, like the smile of a child determined not to cry. I felt the agony of intensive training coupled with the happiness of completing the mission of the system. The two combined to give him a sadistic euphoria.

However, I did not stop to open the system interface. I kept running on the treadmill— until I completed twenty high-intensity exercise routines for the day.

"OK, kids. First, come here" cried Coach Marcel from the stretching and mobility area at the gym. She was wearing her usual unique style outfit— in a loose black Nike sportswear.

"It's rare" Stefan commented. "The coach gives a lecture in the morning. Maybe something important is coming."

"Like a match? Or more like cutting a certain player!" Ryandi frowned.

"Stop speculating" Damon cut. "Let's see what he says." He turned towards Nero—who had just gotten off the treadmill before asking: "Have you come?"

"Of course." I smile. I reached out and took out a bottle of water from my backpack before chugging down the water. "Oh, that's refreshing." I sighed in my breath gasping.

"Let's go and hear what the coach has to say this time," I said to my flatmates after I caught my breath.

"Is everyone here?" coach Marcel asked, his gaze exploring the sixteen players sitting in the middle of the gym.

"Mr" said Coach Alaric Savviosa. "I've received a call—and everyone is here." He was a man of medium height with a firm face and deep eyes. His regular gym workouts made his chest, arms, and shoulders loaded with muscle made him resemble a bodybuilder instead of a soccer coach.

"Big." Coach Johansen nodded. "I'm glad you're now taking your physical training seriously. Had anyone not been present for no reason, they would have faced an axe today."

"I hope it's a good morning for everyone here!" Coach continued. "Moving. You will undergo an annual review in the next two weeks. We want to assess your progress over the past twelve months. So, we have hosted two matches where you can show off your training results over the past year. "

"Next Friday, you will play against Anderlecht's U-19 team combined with the reserve team. On the Friday after that, you will face the senior team Anderlecht. Are you not excited?" The coach grinned, looking around the gym.

"Play against Anderlecht senior team for our review! How can we play against experienced players? Academy officials aren't serious..." The muttering of the players strengthened the already tense atmosphere in the gym.

"Shut up," cried Coach Marcel, furrowing an eyebrow. "This is an opportunity for you. Anderlecht officials will be watching. You have the opportunity to get into the Reserve team or even be seen by the head coach. What are you afraid of?"

"As long as it has improved, there is no need to fear playing against the reserve team or Anderlecht senior team" continued the coach. "We don't expect you to win, but to perform at your best even when facing players above your level. It will be a valuable experience for your budding football career."

The players around the gym calmed down after hearing his speech. Although they seemed worried, they could not force the coach to change the annual review. They just had to swallow their anger and anxiety.

But I'm different. I want to test my skills against high-level players. Only then will I be able to measure my progress and determine if my skills are good enough to join a professional league or not. Besides, I'm hungry for a game because I don't play one official game in a year.

"Coach!" One of the players raised his hand after the coach finished making the announcement.

"Yes. You can ask your questions, Martin." Coach Marcel nodded at the player.

"How many U-17 players should be removed from the team after this review?" The skinny and skinny boy asked.

"You know I can't tell you that." Coach Marcel grinned. "But we need very few players from your team to join the U-19 group. However, if you all play a bad game, then you will all be kicked out of the team. So, do your best."

"There's another question?"

All players remain silent.

"Okay, great." The coach smiled. "Let's meet at the RSCA training ground at 15:30 today. We'll start pre-match practice then—so don't be late."