Second Chances: Indonesian Football Player

Chapter 86's

In the stands, Bella's eyes sparkled as she watched Nero celebrate her goal. His mouth pulled back into a corner into a smile as he recalled the crazy lightning-fast counterattack.

Just a few minutes ago, he was thinking about the possibility of RSCA Academy losing the game after receiving a red card. But, in a matter of seconds, Nero had excelled first to enlarge the excellence of the RSCA academy.

He didn't expect a turn of events, but he was happy, still. Nero's team are just moments away from winning the Riga Cup final.

"That was unexpected," he heard Ricardo Andres, one of the commentators, speak after the cheers subsided.

"Yes, it was completely unexpected" Vincent McManaman, the second commentator, replied. "I'm really speechless."

"3:0," Ricardo interrupted. "That's a score I didn't expect at the start of the final. The RSCA Academy has a big advantage over VfB Stuttgart. Mr. Vincent, we don't have the opportunity to review his sentence. What do you think of this missed opportunity?"

"Well, there's nothing wrong with Timo's technique" Vincent said, his voice flat. "He picked one side and took the penalty pretty well, giving him some improvement. On a good day, a goalkeeper won't be able to do it."

"I don't think today was one of those good days" Ricardo Andres said.

"VfB Stuttgart was very unlucky today" Vincent agreed. With the chances they create, they should be able to put at least two balls past the goalkeeper."

"But, some praise must also be given to the goalkeeper of the RSCA Academy" Ricardo said. "He was amazing today. The way he saved the penalty, then immediately stopped the rebound from Felix Lohkemper, another VfB Stuttgart attacker, deserved a round of applause."

"Yes" Vincent interrupted. "But, the anomaly in this tournament is still Nero Juniar. He reacted to the ball and saved it from getting out of the game when it was just inches from the touchline. What control, what speed, so quiet! He is now joint top scorer of the tournament, drawing with Timo Werner with twelve goals. This is one of the players who has already performed above the academy level."

"Let me remind you that he is only seventeen years old" Ricardo chanted.

Bella heard Vincent sighing through the loudspeaker. "That's what made him a monster" the commentator said in a melancholy tone. "Any club that gets it will be very lucky."

"Let's stop there" Ricardo said. "The RSCA Academy's trainer reacted immediately. He asked for two substitutions. Mervin Alask, a defender, will replace Bjorn Smirksson, the centre-forward. On the other hand, Aleksander Foosnaes, another defender, will replace. Stefan Kvennson, left winger. Mr Vincent, what do you think of this?"

"Well, that's a good call" said Vincent coldly. "RSCA Academy have a three-goal advantage, but they also have to play with one player for the remaining minutes, plus injury time. The coach intends to protect his lead during those few minutes and voila, he will be the champion. Bringing two defenders is the right call in this situation."

**** ****

Back to field—

"Guys," shouted Nero to his team-mates. "We're almost there. Even though we were three goals ahead, don't lose focus. We have to hold on." He clapped his hands to emphasize.

All the players took their positions. They just wait for the referee to blow his whistle to restart the game.

Nero was intrigued by the excitement. He feels like the trophy is just one step away. However, he knew very well that the match was not over yet. Together with his teammates, they still have work to do.

Nero assumed VfB Stuttgart players would lose all motivation after conceding the third goal. However, he was shocked to see the unshakable hunger to win in their eyes as they waited to restart the game. They haven't given up. Nero could see it in their body language.

*PRIIIIIT*

The referee blows the whistle and the match starts again.

VfB Stuttgart's attack was more violent than ever. All of their players seemed to have left the defense and continued to press RSCA Academy back into half. Their attitude ignores all protection of their goals, putting all resources to attack.

They play with only two defenders, placed in the center line. The rest flowed forward to exert pressure on the ten players of RSCA Academy. They seem fully intent on reaping the benefits of their numerical superiority.

Phillipp Mwene and Simon Wilske, two full-backs, have moved further forward. They practically play as wingers. Both caused the biggest problems for Nero and his team-mates. Their frequent cross-feeds into the box always create the headaches of the RSCA Academy players.

On the other hand, the ten RSCA Academy players had retreated to half their own pitch to defend against the relentless attack from VfB Stuttgart. Even Nero had changed positions and played as a defensive midfielder in the final minutes of the game.

Isaac, the tall 6, had moved further back to play at centre-back. The coach has allocated that position because of his towering height. His presence in defence helped the RSCA Academy against Stuttgart's deadly VfB cross.

Nero felt more confident about the RSCA Academy victory when the time reached the 90th minute. However, the fourth referee worsened his mood when he put up a board showing the extra six minutes as injury time.

Six minutes felt like ten years at that point in the game. Nero believes his team-mates are feeling very tired. They have been relentlessly defending against VfB Stuttgart's attack since the start of the second half.

What's more, Lar's red card has added more mental pressure on them. They will get tired faster in the last stage of the game. Nonetheless, they all continue to work hard, defending against the endless efforts of VfB Stuttgart.

In the 92nd minute, Joshua Kimmich and Philipp Froster moved further forward and started playing as fake attackers. What followed was a series of more ferocious attacks with the German team combining several long-range shots in their attempt to score.

In the 93rd minute, Phillipp Mwene, left-back of VfB Stuttgart, received another pass from Timo Baumgartl, the centre-back. As he did throughout the match, he played one-two with Kaan Akkaya, an attacking midfielder, advancing further into the RSCA Academy half-section along the touchline.

However, instead of crossing, Phillipp Mwene unleashed a cut-back pass towards the edge of the box. The change in attacking style left the RSCA Academy players unaware as they expected a cross into the box.

Joshua Kimmich greeted the ball without a fight outside the box and fired his first shot into the net.

Isaac ran forward to block the ball. However, the RSCA Academy seems to have used its luck. The ball went too fast. It deflected off his thigh and found its way to the back of the net.

3:1.

Joshua Kimmich finally managed to score the first goal VfB Stuttgart in the 93rd minute. Damon did not manage to react because of a slight deflection that kept the ball out of its original path.

Nero sighed as he watched the VfB Stuttgart players take the ball from the net and bring it back to the halfway point. Despite all the efforts of the RSCA Academy, the German side still managed to put a goal past them with little more than two minutes remaining.