Second Chances: Indonesian Football Player

Chapter 88's

Coach Marcel could not help but smile as he watched his players celebrate their victory after the final whistle sounded. Watching the game from the sidelines is like riding a roller coaster. His heart leaped down his throat as VfB Stuttgart came close to scoring with their last corner. However, Nero has come forward and done his best. He turned the whole game around in a few seconds.

With the Riga Cup in hand, he has a slim chance of successfully applying for a better position at Anderlecht. He has heard that the club will start a Return to the Root Project aimed at taking back its place at the top of the league.

Management were unhappy with the club's performance following the departure of their Coach in 2010. Anderlecht only managed to finish third the previous season under a new head coach. Both the chairman and the sporting director are actively looking for a coach who understands the club and its players well. They want a manager who can work well with a local squad that is currently growing with talent to bring the club back to the top. Coach Marcel is determined to fight for the position.

He did not want to sit down and become the reserve team manager the following year. He wants to get involved in top-flight action instead. His ideals have always competed with the big names in the football industry. With a prodigy as talented as Nero, he feels he has a chance to bring Anderlecht back to the top in his first year as manager. That is if he manages to get the job.

"Coach, you didn't participate in the celebration?" a voice said from behind him.

Coach Marcel tilted his head and noticed that Nero had once slipped behind him. "Are you not going to join the others as well?" Reply, patting Nero's shoulder.

Nero smiled, shaking his head. "I took the time to relax. But mostly, I hid from that overzealous reporter. They've been chasing me all over the field since the game's over." He sighed.

Coach Marcel nodded. "But you have to get used to the press if you want to be a professional."

"I know," Nero recited, nodding. "It feels very unreal to win a cup. But I believe this victory is just the beginning for me. I hope to win more tournaments in my career."

Coach Marcel gave him a smile. "Don't worry. We still have SIA and the Belgian Youth Cup in the summer. You may get a chance to snatch another trophy faster than you expect. That's if you maintain your current performance."

Nero shook his head. “I don't think I can still experience that kind of excitement against an academy team. I feel facing the academy players is too easy. And, I was worried I would fall if I didn't get a bigger challenge. I can't wait for December to arrive so I can join the first-tier league."

"Don't be in a hurry, or you'll stumble" said Coach Marcel, half-smiling. "You're still in a stage where you're growing fast. You can use the few months left to hone your skills. You won't get much time for it when you become a professional."

"That's my plan," Nero replied, his tone firm.

**** ****

In the stands, Bella smiles as she receives footage of Nero's match from her hired cameraman. Nero's record of outstanding performances in the Riga Cup final will give him plenty of bargaining power when negotiating a deal.

He felt like he had been Nero's agent for over a year but he had only known him for a week. When they had their first meeting at the coffee shop, they immediately clicked on as agents and clients. He could hardly believe his success being the first person to reach for Nero's signature. He is determined to do his best for his clients.

When the cameraman left, he returned his attention to the field. The committee has already started preparing a temporary podium. Meanwhile, the RSCA Academy players ran around the field, singing, jumping, and performing strange dances to celebrate their victory. One of the players even turned over.

Bella wondered where they could get extra stamina after playing for more than 90 minutes in an intensive final. They look very energetic despite acting like tired people a few minutes ago before the final whistle rings. If they showed the same stamina in the final minutes of the game, they would win the final easily, without any rush.

He closed his eyes, looking for Nero. But he couldn't find it in the celebrating group. He let his gaze wander around the pitch, passing the VfB Stuttgart players who were in a somber mood after losing the final. His eyes continued to observe the field until he saw him standing close to his coach on the bench.

‘What does he do when his teammates celebrate?’ I don't want him to wonder. He seemed to be talking seriously with his coach like they were preparing for another game. It was an unusual 'absolutely' behaviour after winning the final.

**** ****

However, tournament organizers soon cut their celebrations. They finally finished preparing the podium. The awards ceremony is about to begin.

A marching band played some interesting Russian or Latvian songs as Atletico Madrid players, dressed in red and white sportswear, came onto the pitch to receive their medals. They received their first bronze medal since they finished third in the tournament.

Without wasting much time, the VfB Stuttgart players followed and received silver medals. They are a sad group, probably still in a bad mood after losing the final just thirty minutes ago. Nero empathizes with them. He will be in a much worse shape if he loses the final.

"Gentlemen and ladies," Nero heard one of the commentators announce, the voice coming to him from one of the loudspeakers that had been installed on the pitch after the game. "Let's welcome the 2012 Riga U-18 Cup Champion. Please raise your hands for the RSCA Academy from Belgium." The voice added, with a thick Spanish accent. It changed dramatically towards the end.

The stadium applauded as the RSCA Academy players marched towards the podium to receive their gold medals. Nero and his teammates burst out with excitement and excitement. Their grins extend from ear to ear as they receive a gift from the president of the Riga Cup. The happy atmosphere was in the air. Even Coach Marcel who was always grim beamed like the little girl who met Santa.

Zachary climbed to the final podium and first received a medal before receiving a mock 50,000 Euro cheque from the president.

After that, it is time to******** from the Riga Cup Tournament. Finally it was time for the captain of the RSCA Academy to receive the championship trophy.

Nero felt his eyes begin to get wet as he lifted the trophy high above his head with both hands. It was his first tournament win since winning the U-14 tournament in his past. It means a lot to him. It was his first proof that he was on his way to becoming a great football player.

But the victory was not for him alone. He would have been unlikely to emerge victorious had it not been for the contribution of his team-mates. So, he turned around and handed the trophy to Isaac, the assistant captain.

Isaac grinned and skipped around like a child as he lifted the trophy aloft amid booming cheers. He then stepped off the podium and ran with the trophy to celebrate with another RSCA Academy player.

"DING"

Nero was about to follow but then stopped suddenly. The system interface suddenly appeared in front of him after a familiar notification rang out in his head.

Nero could not resist the temptation to glance at the translucent bluish screen.

****

# 1 new message

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->You have played most of the matches in highly competitive tournaments with prize money at stake. The system has collected enough in-game data to rate your X-factor accordingly. Please click the notification for more details.

****

‘Finally.’ Nero thought with a smile. He had been waiting for his factor X stat to change from increasing since forever. He was eager to see how his talent would change after taking X-factor into account.

Nonetheless, he wanted the system interface shut down because he was still standing among the crowd on the podium. He will explore changes to the system interface in his hotel room.