Second Chances: Indonesian Football Player

Chapter 43's

The second round begins immediately. Anderlecht's senior team maintained its dominance. They outperformed the academy players, leaving them with no chance of creating a goal-scoring opportunity for themselves.

They dictated the game and created some other chances on goal in the first 30 minutes of the 2nd half. However, the RSCA Youth Academy had devised something similar to an 8-2 formation.

Their five defenders and three midfielders all defended desperately against Anderlecht's attack in their half of the pitch. Eight people are always behind the ball as they hold off attack after attack from the senior team. Even Stefan, our lone striker, helped in the defensive midfield. Their efforts yielded a result—and they did not concede any more.

I was the only striker in midfield on the left wing. I was taken care of by Marcin Wasilewski, one of Anderlecht's centre-backs, all the time.

"You guys are boring" said Marcin Wasilewski, pretending to yawn. "How can you score six goals against our second team? They seem to have been asleep throughout the game. Those kids!" The defender's tone was rather dramatic.

I didn't answer. I don't have a verbal counter for defender jabs. I've been waiting all this time without touching the ball. The RSCA Young Academy did not get a shot on goal since the start of the second half.

I want to go back to my half of the field to help my teammates, instead of talking to Anderlecht defenders. However, Coach Marcel kept reminding me to stay ahead. My only role is to wait for the ball and take advantage of whatever opportunities I can get—no matter how rare. The odds are almost non-existent except at the end of the round.

In the 80th minute, I finally received a pass from Isaac that had made the Anderlecht players off guard. The ball that comes in is not the best. However, it bounced in the open space on the left wing and could be taken by anyone.

My blood was boiling with excitement as adrenaline flooded my veins. I immediately ran before Marcin Wasilewski could react and darted towards the ball. That split-second faster reaction is paramount to leaving the Anderlecht centre-back in the dust.

In an instant, I reached the ball before exiting the field—and running towards Anderlecht's penalty box. I did Cut Inside without a hitch because the Anderlecht players were all attacking in the other half of the pitch, except for their two centre-backs.

Oliver Deschacht, the other centre-back ran diagonally to cover my frame. But the number 5 player made a mistake, trying to close my roar with his back to me. I flicked the ball back and forth between my left and right legs as I advanced nimbly towards Anderlecht's penalty box.

Oliver Deschacht continued to retreat while spinning from side to side until it was too late. I had dribbled past the centre-back with just a simple change of pace and one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The Anderlecht defenders who were chasing me couldn't follow me as soon as I passed them.

A trick then sent me around Goalkeeper Silvio Proto and made me put the ball into an empty net with ease. The score changed to 3:1. The RSCA Youth Academy eventually made it past Anderlecht's defence and scored despite having only one shot on goal throughout the game.

"DING"

I could not help my happiness as I heard the familiar system notification popping into my mind. I've completed the system mission and scored. I finally had enough capital to buy some elixir from the system store for my next training plan.

**** ****

Ariel Jacobs, Anderlecht's assistant coach, approached Coach Andre Marcel after Nero scored.

"That's one of the clinical players" said Coach Ariel Jacobs, without caring about any greetings. The two coaches met before the match. "The efficiency and handling of the ball is at the level of the first team. Was he that fast when he joined?"

"It looks like Mr. Thorgan Royce's vision is still as sharp as ever." Coach Ariel Jabos nodded.

“How old is he now.?” Ask coach Ariel Jacobs

"16 years and will be 17 years in a few months. Our doctors have confirmed the age of the skeleton."

"So, about a year away," murmured Coach Ariel Jacobs as she returned her attention to the match.

Nero's goal was like a beehive. Anderlecht's first team attacked with renewed strength, putting great pressure on the RSCA Youth Academy team. The balls hit the post— from a missed shot just inches away, as the senior team attacked the academy team's goal.

However, the goddess of luck seemed to be on the side of the academy team. The academy team barely escaped from conceding a goal in the final minutes of the game. The match ended 3:1 for Anderlecht's first-team win. However, the RSCA Youth Academy team managed to score with just one shot on goal, thanks to Nero Juniar.

"We have reviewed your request" Coach Ariel Jacobs said just after the referee blew the final whistle. "Team management also wants him to gain experience from international matches." The coach smiled. "However, we need a commitment from him before he travels abroad. He has to understand that we are investing in him as a potential Anderlecht player. We don't want to hear him run to another club after the tournament in Riga. . You can discuss the details with Mr. Thorgan about how to handle this."

"Thank you" Coach Marcel said with a smile.

"Are you going to take up a position on the second team soon?" Coach Ariel Jacobs asked, shifting the subject away from Nero.

"Not yet." Coach Marcel shook his head. "I want to win one of the tournaments before leaving the academy. Riga Cup and SIA will look good on my CV." The coach smiled.

Coach Ariel Jacobs looked at his colleague with a narrowed look. "Are you sure you're gonna win? It was a tournament with serious club academies like Manchester City, PSV, Valencia, Ajax, Madrid, Barcelona and others"

Coach Marcel was half-smiling. "With Nero, we have a pretty good chance."

"What are your plans for her?"

"We will design a good training plan for him to improve his speed and ball possession over the next few months. In February, his pace has to be at another level if he continues to improve."

"Don't forget to run everything with Mr. Thorgan Royce" coach Ariel Jacobs said

Coach Marcel frowned for a moment and nodded after a moment of consideration. Coach Ariel Jacobs also left his co-coach and returned to his team. Coach Marcel was silent as he watched coach Ariel Jacobs leave.

**** ****