Second Chances: Indonesian Football Player

Chapter 73's

"Remember what we discussed yesterday" Coach Marcel told the players in the dressing room. "Remember all your training. Remember all the hard work you've done over the past year." He lowered his voice a little. Despite this, his words still carried over to every corner of the room.

"This is the time to move forward and reap the rewards of all your efforts. It all depends on how you handle yourself over the next 90 minutes. Remember, if you stay focused for every moment of the game, we will definitely emerge victorious."

Coach Marcel spent a few minutes reminding the players of the game plan they had discussed the previous day. He reminds them of the individual roles they will take in the game before sending them to the game.

Nero and his team-mates stepped onto the pitch, full of desire to perform. They want to beat Borussia Dortmund completely. Coach Johansen's pre-match spirit talk further inflames their longing to win the game and qualify for the finals.

If they could advance past the semi-finals and win the final, it would prove to be a rare achievement among the Belgian academy. Winning the tournament meant fame, cash prizes, and increased odds to be taken by professional teams from all over Europe.

Nero was also excited to perform. He completed a coin toss with the referee and Borussia Dortmund captain quickly and ran back to his half as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, the fans cheered, drowning the stadium with a standing ovation. The commentators made some light jokes about the match that was about to start. It feels like a festival at the Indoor Skonto Stadium, rather than a football match.

Nero decided to call the team on the field before the game started. Although he disliked the act of commanding around his team-mates, he felt he had to remind them of the coach's instructions before such an important game. Surprisingly, the squad seemed happy when he called them to huddle the team.

"Friends," he started as soon as they formed a circle on their side of the field. “The coach has said everything that needs to be said about the game plan and tactics. I just want to emphasize one thing. We have to focus on the little things, the details that make the difference in such a competitive game.the details we have to finish, the details we have to finish perfectly."

"We have to carry out the role given to us by the coach to the best of our ability" he added, slightly raising his voice to achieve the best effect on his team-mates. "Whether defending or attacking, everything is the same. We have to stay focused until the final whistle is sounded. Everyone has to do their part." He stared at his other teammates in the crowd.

"Agar Damon did his part in goal, Miguel needed to do his part in defence. And it's the same for every position on the pitch. We all depend on each other. Right?" He stopped, saw the rest.

He continued after seeing them attentively. “Everyone should play their part perfectly so that the next person can do it. That's how we play as a team in this game. Otherwise, we will be devastated and lose the game, even if only one player relaxes for a long time.one minute."

Nero looked around and noticed that his teammates were listening attentively. They held on to his words as if it was gold or a precious herb that they had hunted for days. Some of them nodded with their eyes closed while others looked at him excitedly, waiting for him to end the team talk.

Nero's tone changed convincingly. "So, now, let's go out and play like our lives and careers depend on it. Let us be faithful to who we are. Together, united as one in the field." He clapped his hands to emphasize. Other players joined in shouting the name of the RSCA Youth Academy with a loud voice loud in the ears.

"Should we pray or what?" Ryandi asked as they were about to disperse the team crowd.

"We must" answered Damon and Isaac, more or less simultaneously.

"Then, you should lead the prayer since you suggested it," Nero said as he pointed at Ryandi.

"Why me?" Ryandi jumps away from the crowd like he was stung by a wasp after Nero chooses him.

The other players laughed at his reaction.

Ryandi raised her hand in a calming manner. "I'm just suggesting a strategy to help us ensure our victory. They say; praying increases the chances of a team to win. About like that. We don't have to go through prayer if nobody wants to lead it."

Damon eventually led a short prayer before the players returned to their positions for kick-off.

Nero moves closer to the centre circle as he will play as a half-striker, just behind rjan, the RSCA Youth Academy centre-forward. He began to observe his teammates in a dark blue T-shirt. They jog and jump around in their respective positions while waiting for the referee to blow his whistle. It looks like the team's huddle coupled with Coach Marcel's spirit talk has an effect on their mood. Their body language says it all. They act like elite professionals and approach the game with the right attitude to win. The team spirit is at a much higher level and is unlike at the start of most of the previous games.

He then turned his attention to Borussia Dortmund players in their black and yellow striped jerseys. They also looked excited to start the semifinals. He has done some research on their troops. He immediately recognized Christian Pulisic, the Borussia Dortmund winger, who had scored four goals in the tournament. He was standing near the ball, ready to start the game. He also recognized Marvin Duchks and Mario Gotze, two players who caused some problems in Jong Ajax's defensive line.

Nero sighed and turned his attention back to the referee. He hopes Ryandi and Bjorn will be able to mark the wing duo. Otherwise, their crossing would be extremely detrimental to the RSCA Youth Academy.

*PRIIIIIIITTTT*

The referee blew his whistle. The semi-final between RSCA Youth Academy and Borussia Dortmund at Skonto Arena starts at exactly 11:00 on a cold Tuesday morning.

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"Nero finally remembered to call the team huddle before the game," commented Coach Marcel, half-smiling, his eyes never leaving the field. "He finally started acting like a captain."

"He also showed mistakes to his team-mates" Assistant Coach Sebastian said. "That's an improvement in his leadership skills. I guess he wants to win the game more than anyone in this team."

Coach Marcel did not answer. All his attention was on the game. He tries to gauge whether his players carry out the roles assigned to them in the match. He was happy with what he was observing.

His players started the first half vigorously shutting down the Borussia Dortmund players every time they lost possession. They then followed his game plan, deciding to sit idly by and hold off Borussia Dortmund's attack. They played in a 5-3-1-1 formation and only countered through counter-attacks and long passes to Nero and Bjorn.

He aims to defend with eight men behind the ball when he devises a game strategy. He wants to close all the attack lines of the German team especially the wing. His five defenders should be working with three midfielders to shut out any Borussia Dortmund attacker quickly whenever they approach the box of the RSCA Youth Academy.

Kierst and Antonio, full-backs, played well in the first fifteen minutes. They kept Borussia Dortmund's wingers tight, and on many occasions, blocked crosses in the direction of the box. Thanks to their efforts, the German team did not manage to make any effort on goal for the first few minutes.

Coach Marcel said he was satisfied with their performance.

"A really clean tackle" said Assistant coach Sebastian from the side. Kierst, a right-wing defender, had just made a clean tackle, snatching the ball from left-wing Patrick Pflucke of Borussia Dortmund. The right-back then runs with the ball and tries to pass an opponent close to the touchline.

Coach Marcel is confident of losing the ball if he keeps running because of Herbert Bockhorn, the left-back of the Borussia Dortmund side who has approached him.

"Use long balls for Nero" Coach Marcel shouted at Kierst. "Hurry up" he shouted as he watched the right-back still make the most of his time on the ball.

Kierst followed his instructions immediately. From right next to the touchline, deep in the half of the RSCA Youth Academy field, he lifted his right foot and passed a long ball towards the center circle where Nero waited.

Coach Marcel was relaxed when he saw Nero head the ball to the ground and turn around, taking off towards the Borussia Dortmund penalty box. The two defenders tried to close it immediately, but their efforts did not come to fruition. They had already given him enough space to accelerate away from them and could not win him back. Coach Marcel is confident that some players still in the academy can match Nero's pace.

His heart pounded like a hammer on his chest as he watched Nero play one-two with Bjorn. The prodigy stabbed deeper into the half of Borussia Dortmund's pitch, passing defenders in seconds.

Coach Marcel smiled, calming his overflowing emotions. He had planned a long and grueling game against the German side, with almost no goals. However, if his team managed to score in the first few minutes of the game, it would be a relief. He will find it easy to win.

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