Second Chances: Indonesian Football Player

Chapter 87's

*PRIIIIIIITTT*

The referee blew the whistle, and the game restarted after the goal.

RSCA Academy started the game, but the VfB Stuttgart players quickly retook possession. They attacked more aggressively than ever. The goal seemed to have revived them, prompting them to perform at a much higher level than their peak. They fully utilize their numerical advantage.

Phillipp Mwene, left winger, played better. In the 95th minute, he dribbled past the exhausted Ryandi and delivered a brilliant overpass into the packed RSCA Academy box.

Felix Lohkemper, the VfB Stuttgart forward, jumped the defence inside the six-yard box and headed the ball past Damon into the back of the net.

3:2.

VfB Stuttgart burning.

The RSCA Academy is under great pressure.

Nero felt helpless. The red card effect is already starting to show. VfB Stuttgart almost chased them, thanks to that. However, he rejoiced because the sixth minute of injury time was about to pass. They 'just' have to defend for a few seconds, and they will be champions. So, he went around, yelling at his team-mates to focus on the game at the last minute.

**** ****

In the stands, Bella's back muscles were numb from nervous tension as she watched the last minute of the match. He believes the RSCA Academy will win the game six minutes ago. But at the time, he felt VfB Stuttgart were the team most likely to emerge as Riga Cup champions after the final.

"Six minutes of extra time is over" he heard Ricardo Andres, the commentator, speaking in his heavily accented English. "However, the referee did not blow the final whistle. VfB Stuttgart is still attacking, knocking on the door of the RSCA Academy. They intend to level before the final whistle. What a match!" He breathed a heavy sigh.

"The referee only added a few minutes that the RSCA Academy players spent restarting the game after they conceded two goals" Vincent McManaman added. "Serve them right for trying to waste time at the end of this game." To Bella, the commentator seemed a bit overzealous.

"Geez!" Andres shouted excitedly. "Timo Werner, the VfB Stuttgart forward who missed the penalty, masterfully passed inside the box. He shoots. Unfortunately, a defender managed to block the shot. He turned him away from the goal. The ball is out of the game. The referee first looks at his watch before giving a corner kick." He recited the words so quickly as he delivered a comment.

"Geez! What do we have here?" continued Andre. "Odysseas, goalkeeper of VfB Stuttgart, advanced forward to participate in the corner kick. VfB Stuttgart fully intend to score the equaliser in the 97th minute. They're deploying their entire army to advance."

Bella felt her heart pounding as she watched every VfB Stuttgart player crowding in front of the RSCA Academy box.

[Who will emerge victorious?] He wonders.

**** ****

"Guys," shouted Nero to his other team-mates. "We're almost there. Only a minute left. Let's hold. Man-on-man's. Don't leave anyone unmarked in the box. Ryandi, you mark Kimmich on the edge of the box. Isaac marks the tall centre-back back there. Van, stick with their goalkeeper. Don't give him even an inch of space. Kierst, mark the goalpost." Words came out of his mouth at the speed of a machine gun as he tried to set up his teammates and prepare them for a corner kick.

He never expected more for the final whistle of his life. He does not want the game to go to extra time. If that happens, VfB Stuttgart will crush them because of their numerical superiority.

What's more, his teammates were already exhausted after enduring relentless attacks from the German team throughout the second half. They have to defend against corner kicks successfully, or they will lose in the final. Nero was sure of that.

*PRIIIITTT*

Amid the chaos in the box, the referee blew his whistle, gesturing for Phillipp Mwene to take a corner kick. There was a little push and occasional push around Nero as they waited for the ball.

Mwene, left-back, delivers a tempting high pass into the box. Odysseas, the goalkeeper of VfB Stuttgart, set his running time perfectly to connect with the ball as he swung the Van for air superiority. He managed to make a header towards the goal from around the penalty spot.

But luckily, Damon, the RSCA Academy goalkeeper, got up on the occasion. He jumped flamboyantly acrobatic and punched the ball away from the goal, towards the outside of the box.

However, the threat from VfB Stuttgart is still at large. Joshua Kimmich greeted the ball on the edge of the box and fired a missile into the net.

But then again, luck is on the side of the RSCA Academy.

Nero had traced the trajectory of the sphere with a high level of spatial awareness. Without fear, he jumped into the path of the shot and fended it off the box.

But he didn't relax even after the block was successful. Instead, he chased after the ball as it floated in the air. He fully intends to do so before any other player. He noticed that the VfB Stuttgart keeper was still inside the RSCA Academy box, trying his luck to score. Nero intended to punish him for abandoning his goal.

**** ****

"Geez!" He heard Ricardo Andres yelling, his tone changing. "RSCA Academy survived a corner kick. However, it was VfB Stuttgart's turn to worry. Nero Juniar chasing the ball. Odysseas Vlachodimos, the goalkeeper of VfB Stuttgart, started running back into the half area. Are we going to see another quick counterattack? from the captain of the RSCA Academy? An extraordinary turn of events..."

Bella's skin was tingled with excitement as she watched Nero skilfully dodge defender VfB Stuttgart and continue chasing the ball. He did it faster than any other player, only a few dozen yards from his box.

He controlled it skillfully with his legs outstretched and glanced at the other end of the field. The fans around Bella fell silent as the RSCA Academy captain lifted his leg and swung the ball high towards the other half of the pitch.

"Geez !" Andres, the commentator, shouted loudly. "Nero has fired a shot towards the goal of VfB Stuttgart from within the half. Odysseas, the goalkeeper of VfB Stuttgart, was still running across the pitch. Will Nero's long-range efforts find the target? Or will Odysseas return first? It's amazing ..." His voice reached its peak.

Bella closed the sound as she alternated between following the trajectory of the ball, in the air, and watching VfB goalkeeper Stuttgart, on the ground, run back into his net. A few seconds felt like thousands of years when he tried to gauge if Nero's efforts were on target.

The ball arrives at the peak of its flight and begins to descend at an ever-increasing speed— as gravity works on it. Without a surprise, it reached Stuttgart's VfB box before the goalkeeper could retaliate.

Bella suddenly stood up from her seat as she watched the ball bounce once—two times—last three times before going into the back of the empty net. TARGET.

4:2:

In the 98th minute, Ner managed to score one more spectacular goal from over 80 yards.

The crowd exploded in cheers and applause.

The smile of victory was on Bella's lips. This time RSCA Academy has 'definitely' won the final. There's no doubt about that.

______

As he celebrated with his teammates, Nero felt a surge of happiness flowing through him like a warm ocean wave, washing away all his fatigue. He feels refreshed both inside and out, even though he has been running all over the pitch.

He enjoys the memories when he scores. The feeling that developed inside him was like a happy awakening as he watched the ball soar to the back of the net from 80 yards. He misses more times like that.

He wants to score more winning goals and experience the same excitement as his career progresses. He could easily be addicted to such excitement. He came to learn that without happiness, life is meaningless.

The whole team, including the bench, joined in the celebration. Nero hugged his teammates tightly, forming a sort of chaotic team crowd, singing excitedly. They don't care one bit about the referees trying their best to get them back on the pitch. RSCA Academy went two goals ahead, in the 98th minute, past the specified injury time period. They 'definitely' won the Riga Cup final.

"Friends," cried Damon, trying to break the joyous mood of his team-mates. "Let's go back and finish this. We'll celebrate after the final whistle rings."

Nero returns to himself after hearing Damon's voice. "Friends," he also shouted as he realized that none of his teammates were trying to get out of the crowd. "Let's get back on the pitch and play the last few seconds of the game. We have an entire weekend to celebrate after this final." He added at the top of his lungs.

When his teammates heard his voice, they did not linger. They immediately returned to their position on the field, waiting for the resumption of the game. However, none of them could cover their excitement. They were all grinning like gorillas who found themselves in a ripe banana plantation.

*PRIIIITTT*

The referee blew the whistle, and the game restarted with a VfB Stuttgart kick-off. Felix Lohkemper, the VfB Stuttgart forward, lifted his foot and kicked the ball to the left wing where Phillipp Mwene, left-back, was waiting.

Nero felt awe at the players of VfB Stuttgart as he watched their entire army rush forward to attack once more. They did not give up even at the last minute. They swept towards the half of the RSCA Academy like a storm as if they wanted to get a goal that second as well. Nero is confident they will score if they are given one extra minute of game time.

However

*PRIIIITTTTTTTT PRIIITTTTTT PRIIITTTTTTTTT*

The referee blew his whistle before they could reach the RSCA Youth Academy penalty box. The Riga Cup final ended in the 99th minute.

The RSCA Youth Academy players started celebrating once again.