Second Chances: Indonesian Football Player

Chapter 75's

"Even commentators call us underdogs" Ryandi grumbled.

"Don't worry about the commentator" Stefan replied with a smile. "Let's do our part and show the people in this stadium that we're top dogs, not underdogs."

They rarely take breaks on the pitch after celebrating Nero's goal with the rest of the team. They have had a minute or two to rest since the Borussia Dortmund coach chose to make a substitution right after conceding a goal.

"Frightly so." Ryandi nodded. "Winning this match will keep people quiet. Maybe our juniors will be considered the top seeds when they travel here for next year's Riga Cup."

Stefan smiles. "That's great. Perhaps, our academy will welcome the golden age. We play in the semifinals."

Ryandi did not continue the conversation. He listened to the cheers and felt it was the greatest music in the world. There was a fire in his heart that was lost at the beginning of the match.

Not many academy players are hoping to reach the semi-finals when they first arrive in Riga. The possible exception is Nero because he plays every game like a champion. Most of the players, including Ryandi, only came to gain experience. They had not expected to be among the top four contenders for the trophy.

They are well aware that they are an inexperienced group, competing with some of the top academies from across Europe. Even 'just getting through' to the quarter-finals alone has satisfied them. The RSCA Youth Academy never made it past the group stages in the final session of the Riga Cup.

However, to reach the quarter-finals, some, such as Damon and Isaac, began to believe they could come out victorious. They began preaching to the rest of the squad, trying to motivate them to work towards the same dream.

The rest of the squad had accepted their motivational talks, but most still had a sense of inferiority. They feel that winning against a strong team like Zenit is not a miracle, it is impossible to replicate. Losing the game against AC Milan has strengthened the complex even further.

If Ryandi has to be one hundred percent honest with herself, she has to admit that she is part of that self-doubting group of people. But it ended in the game against Borussia Dortmund.

Nero's goal had left him riled up, giving rise to some wild ambition in the deepest recesses of his mind. For the first time since his arrival in Riga, Ryandi feels one hundred percent confident with his army. He believes they can win the cup.

Meanwhile, the feeling quickly passed, just a glimmer of hope, a ray of unborn sunlight, but he could still feel it. Maybe it's just optimism, capturing the possibility of future opportunities. But, he decided to play his best and win the tournament to cultivate that feeling.

Ryandi took a quick glance to the sidelines and saw that the Borussia Dortmund substitute was ready to come in. "Gosh, you better get back in your shoes" he shouted, giving Stefan a light push, preventing him from continuing the conversation. "We have to keep our heads in the game" he added.

"OK, okay," Stefan replied as he ran across the field towards the left wing to take his position.

*PRIIIIT*

The referee blew his whistle, and the game restarted after the goal and the substitution. Borussia Dortmund immediately played at a high tempo, diverting the ball from the wing to the wing, trying to pierce into the half of the field of RSCA Youth Academy.

Ryandi noted that their winger has good speed and dribbling ability. They often dribble near the edge of the field before attempting to provide a feedback or cross into the box so their striker can score. They teamed up with the full-backs to outflank the defenders, providing the biggest threat to Kasongo and his team-mates.

As the match progressed, Ryandi noticed that the Borussia Dortmund players had formed a 4-4-2 formation, unlike the 4-3-3 attack form they used in the first quarter of an hour. They dominated the course of the game for the next few minutes, with the wingers and central midfielders showing their class every time they touched the ball.

Substitute Karem Demirbay, a highly creative attacking midfielder, improved their attacking play significantly. He often released snipers that led to wings that continued to move like sniper bullets.

In the 38th minute, Karem Demirbay controlled the ball near the centre circle after receiving a pass from Erik Durm right-back Borussia Dortmund. Without a pause, he unleashed a pass that split the defence towards the left wing, where Christian Pulisic lurked. The switch from midfield to wing was so sudden, that the defenders of RSCA Youth Academy were momentarily confused.

Those few seconds were enough for Pulisic to dribble to the ground, without a fight, and break through half of the RSCA Youth Academy, relying on his incredible speed.

Ryandi immediately approached him, trying to intercept the ball and delay the attack. He tilted his body to force it towards the touchline, and in doing so, prevented the highly agile winger from cutting back onto the field. He was committed to defense, trying to create time for the defenders of the RSCA Youth Academy to form and deal with incoming attacks. Ryandi did not feel too worried because that was the way they used to deal with the Borussia Dortmund winger's attack throughout the game.

However, the Borussia Dortmund left winger did not dribble as he had hoped. Pulisic played a one-two with Joe Gyau, a left-back, passing him on the right wing before cutting back into the field.

Kierst Donovan, the right-back of RSCA Youth Academy, also tried to pressure him to grab the ball, but his efforts were in vain. He had delayed his reaction for a few seconds more than necessary, giving the winger enough space to pass the ball.

The winger did not waste such a rare opportunity.

Ryandi frowned when he saw Christian Pulisic dribbling towards the box. He then whipped the ball in a circular bow behind the defender of RSCA Youth Academy.

Pulisic's cross went right in, finding Marvin Ducksch, Borussia Dortmund's centre-forward, near the post.

Marvin Ducksch showed great brilliance and calmness in the box. He did a spectacular diving header from a very sharp angle, almost beating Damon and equalising.

However, the goalkeeper was alert and managed to make a spectacular acrobatic save. He punched the incoming ball, steered it over the crossbar. He has saved the RSCA Youth Academy from Borussia Dortmund's deadliest attack so far.

Ryandi ran towards him and patted his back. "Good rescue, man. You are truly God's grace in our cause."

"Enough with the screwdriver" Damon scowled at him. "Prepare to defend against a corner. And, stay focused." The goalkeeper appeared to be in a very dark mood with only a game in mind.

Ryandi did not mind his friend's tone and obediently walked to the edge of the box. He understood that tension often escalated in matches, pushing the players into a somber mood. Some of his teammates could finish the entire game without bothering to share a few words with others. They only talk to ask for passes, point out other people's mistakes, or in some rare circumstances that are only related to the game. Nero was that type of player, and it seemed like Damon was slowly following him.

"Let's hold on, let's hold on..." His musings were interrupted by Damon's shouts, instructing the players to mark every Borussia Dortmund player in the box.

RSCA Youth Academy managed to maintain a corner. Miguel Alaron, a centre-back, jumped another player in the box, heading the corner ball out of the game.

The referee pointed to the corner flag once again.

Marcel Halstenberg, Borussia Dortmund's right-back, moved in the direction of the flag to kick a corner. Meanwhile, the players from both teams pushed and pushed their opponents, trying to outwit them. It took several warnings from the referee to order it so that the corner can run smoothly.

*PRIIIIITTT*

The referee blows the whistle after he finishes setting the players up.

Marcel Halstenberg sent a long pass into the head of Marvin Ducksch, who somehow escaped his target. The centre-forward made no mistake from close range and sent the ball into the bottom right corner.

1:1.

Borussia Dortmund equalised in the 41st minute. The goal cannot be attributed to the mistakes made by the players of RSCA Youth Academy. It was 'just' a brilliant game from the centre-forward. He had outscored his opponent to head the ball into the back of the net. The defenders have done their best, but it has not been enough.

Ryandi stood with his hands clenched, watching Borussia Dortmund players celebrate the goal. He could not believe they were still conceding despite having followed Coach Marcel's game plan for the letter. Ryandi has done the best he can, but his team still conceded one goal. The cup that had been getting closer seemed to have moved miles away within minutes.

"It's not over, guys..." He heard Nero screaming from somewhere on the edge of the box. "It's not over yet. We just got back to square one. Let's keep doing our best." The captain went around the box shouting at each of the RSCA Youth Academy players.

Ryandi smiled, her mood lifted. He hasn't lost the game. They can still win if they play well and create more chances.

"Let's win," he shouted, joining the other players who started clapping to encourage themselves. The game is not over. It's just getting started.

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