Soccer System: Legendary Goalkeeper
Chapter 35 - Guam (1)
The day that all football lovers look forward to is when the Indonesian national team of all ages competes, National Day Team!
Thousands of spectators came from all over Indonesia to unite in support of the Indonesian national team. In one stadium, only one heart, Indonesia.
Whether it's a Bonek, The Jak, or a Viking. All of them united to support the Indonesian national team.
At Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, the venue that hosted Indonesia in the Asian Cup Qualifiers U-17 group B.
It is in this stadium that thousands of football fans come together for one purpose, supporting a beloved country.
***
A bus came with thousands of spectators who crowded the gates from all sides. The bus was escorted by several police patrol motorcycles.
“This is how it feels,” said Asyura to Reza who is currently stunned.
All the players go down one by one and go straight to the dressing room. There of course coach Bima will soon provide some direction and also the spirit of motivation is so high.
While in the dressing room, a very crowded atmosphere was heard. Surely not crowded in vain, crowded in the sense that the coaches began to explain what to do.
“OK, our strategy is good enough. These four defenders are reliable!
Rizdjar, Sulthan, Iqbal, Abdillah. The four of you are standing in line in front of Reza!
Then for the midfield there is Kafiatur as a regulator of attack accompanied by Zidan and also Figo. You guys have to be really observant in the middle ball game, don't let your guard down.
Forward slightly, there is Asyura as the tip of one of our three spears. He must be accompanied by Arkhan and Gilang.
I want to try that, so there is no need to protest. We agreed a few days ago!”
Coach Bima really put in the best squad against Guam. He did not want to be complacent with Guam whose quality was far below Indonesia, he was still so vigilant.
“Your debut in the national team,” said Gilang beside Reza.
“Debutmu too,” reply Reza.
In the midst of the two chatting, the time is getting closer to kick-off the first match of the Asian Cup U-17 2023 Qualifiers.
Until when everything was ready, all the players formed a circle and immediately exclaimed so excitedly. A smile full of joy was imprinted on each of them, not least Reza who was so happy.
***
The two teams walked down the hall to the field. As the referee walked, both teams followed him.
When everyone was on the field, a standing ovation from the thousands and even tens of thousands of spectators who packed the magnificent stadium. Although only the U-17 national team, at least it is still fairly enthusiastic.
There are several countries, the age group below is quite quiet when competing, even they only compete in campus stadiums. In Indonesia? Majestic stadium is provided.
Indonesia itself currently wears a red-red pride jersey with a garuda symbol on the left side. Reza himself wears a sky blue-blue goalie jersey.
“Yes, wherever you are, we will soon start kick-off the first round of the U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers. Indonesia against Guam!
Coach Bima seems to carry two new names at this time. Eh .. Reza Kusuma is a goalkeeper and Gilang Pratama is an attacker. Both of them debuted as starters! Let's see their performance!”
A commentator on a private television channel began to issue his magic sayings. He immediately commented, whatever it was to enliven the atmosphere of the National Day Team in all television in Indonesia.
On the field, Iqbal was with Guam team captain Erwin **.
They see the surface of the coin. Iqbal won the yellow coin surface with the emblem of the Asian football federation.
“We kick-off, guys!” exclaim Iqbal while heading straight for his position.
Everything is ready in position, the referee looks at his watch. He immediately blew the whistle while pointing at the ball at the feet of Ashura.
When the whistle was blown, the rumbling of thousands of spectators was instantly so crowded. Even the loud voice of coach Bima who gave some direction ended could not be heard properly.
With that said, the inaugural match of Asian Cup U-17 Group B qualification has started from the feet of Ashura.
He gave the ball to Arkhan. There, the left side of the field is completely empty so that it is easily processed by Arkhan.
Guam players just try to keep the depth alone, not so concerned with dangerous movements of the U-17 national team.
“Figo! Accept this!” Arkhan lures to Figo who approaches him.
The two of them passed each other before Figo immediately shifted the ball into the middle of the field. There is a Cafiatur who is scanning the area.
In the early minutes, of course, the players whether it's from Guam or Indonesia are still not hot enough. Therefore, who was careless in the early minutes, he received the consequences.
At that time, Kafiatur asked to run one of Guam's players. When he finds it difficult, he gives a diagonal pass forward.
On the right side, Zidan was already running to chase the ball area. While maintaining balance, one passes it from the side.
From the corner of Zidan's eye, there was already Gilang who made movements without the ball so fast. Without wasting a chance, Zidan gave a flat pass past the opposing players who were off guard.
Gilang who got the ball immediately increased his running speed. He along with Asyura was also going all-out attack. Some U-17 midfielders at least started to help the attack.
The cafeteria who saw the empty space in front of the penalty box, immediately shouted to Gilang.
“Cosong!”
Gilang directly kicked the ball past a Guam player who had just come to him at the gap between the two players legs. At that time, Asyura also immediately exchanged positions with Gilang to take a chance to rebound the ball later.
Cafiatur who got the ball, he immediately stared hard at the goal. That's him, the position of the opposing goalkeeper is too advanced or arguably has lost the position.
The cafeteria cleverly kicked the hanging ball. He lobs the ball so that the goalkeeper is short enough to see a round object pass through his head so easily and into the goal.
In the 2nd minute, the U-17s had excelled for the first time. It was still early, there was still a lot to do to break into the goal.
Reza in goal now mutters so resignedly. “Hopefully any violation, yakali I can score a goal.”
After the goal, a small celebration in the corner of the field occurred. The cheers of the audience sounded so boisterous adding to the increasingly passionate atmosphere.
The match resumed with Indonesia's lead in 2 minutes of attack.
The ball was again played at the feet of Guam players. They were so nervous several times they almost lost the ball due to being pressed. However, lucky they immediately shifted the ball backwards.
Fatal errors and errors occur. When they shifted the ball to the defensive side, Ashura who realized the opponent's pass was a little weak firmly stole the ball.
Asyura also ran away leaving Guam's dumbfounded defender. Now he is facing a goalkeeper named Jacob Anthony.
Jacob once again had to be broken into with a humiliating kick. The ball that Ashura kicked entered between his legs and rolled quickly towards the goal.
The fourth minute was the second goal.
