Soccer System: Legendary Goalkeeper

Chapter 42 - Palestine (1)

The match against the United Arab Emirates is over. All the players are back in training camp. They were also ordered at night to gather in the tactics room.

At a training camp not far from GBK Main Stadium. The Indonesian U-17 players are waiting for the coaching staff, especially coach Bima to tell what his goal is to gather those who are still very tired after the game an hour ago.

“Huu .. This is exhausting,” said Nabil as he lay flat on the floor.

When the door of the room opened, of course, he immediately moved and sat on the bench that had been available. All the players who were talking to each other were also instantly speechless.

Coach Bima came in while carrying some tactical boards. She's alone. The players were also staring full of anticipation, why coach Bima gathered them for a direction unknown to them.

“Good. Maybe you guys are surprised. Well, I'll answer. Palestine beat Malaysia 3-0 at the same time we played. Malaysia is dangerous and powerful, but the Palestinians are also stronger to defeat Malaysia.

This is a quick tactical conversation. Palestine despite losing against the United Arab Emirates in their first game, but Malaysia are included strong they can beat like that,” clearly coach Bima while little by little setting magnetic pins on the tactics board.

The players began to listen with fatigue that gradually improved. Moreover, isotonic drinks have accompanied them to reverse the wasted energy when competing.

The explanation of the Bima trainer is quite long. He went on to explain all the tiger tactics that could be against the Palestinians the day after tomorrow on October 8. Coach Bima also again lowered his initial squad against Guam.

Achmad Zidan and Figo Dennis are back in the starting line-up. According to coach Bima this is his best squad at the moment. However, coach Bima also replaced a defender. Abdillah was replaced by Seva Aditya.

Coach Bima then explained one by one what each player must do when competing. Everything is so clear that it is easy to understand.

“Oke, I think enough. For tomorrow we are just practicing this tactical ability. So, please go back to your room!”

The players also broke up. This time they returned to the room with an understanding of the tactics that filled the head. Every visualization they continue to make to continue to understand and not forget the tactics that have just given coach Bima.

Reza in her room was currently just staring out the window. The clear night sky so clearly gave rise to tens or even hundreds of beautiful stars. Although Jakarta's sky polluted, but still quite comfortable to see stars nan far in the eyes.

“Star ... I will become a star in the world of football later,” murmured while walking towards his bed.

On top of a small cupboard to the bed, there is a digital Beker clock that shows at 11:34. It was too late, but the players only understood him, especially Reza.

Reza then closed her eyes, starting to enter the dreamland. In his dream, Reza imagined becoming a legendary goalkeeper from Indonesia who lifted the world cup with his team-mates.

Until the World Cup was dropped and that's when Reza woke up due to the clock ringing right at 06:00. Reza then turned off his clock and immediately cleaned his body that smelled bad.

After cleansing his body, he headed for the field. There are already some teammates who start doing small warm-ups before going into core training. Reza also saw coach Bima who directed some teammates to prepare immediately.

Reza ran small towards the point they gathered. There, the Cafiatur approached Reza with a friendly smile.

“Let's work hard,” said Kafiatur while holding Reza's shoulder.

Then from a few meters in place Reza, look Andrika and Ikram who just sigh resignedly. This time they only rely on luck to be able to enter the starting line-up. They've tried hard, but it's very difficult to steal a place from Reza.

After everything gathered together, coach Bima started giving directions. He directs his students to implement overnight tactics. He wants his students to understand more and more about the tactics he assembled into one.

Everyone trains. Feed drills also they do, let alone tactics this time relying on accurate passes. Reza and his friends are required to be able to use their speed and one-two passes to make it difficult for the Palestinians.

After all the Indonesian team has a fairly short height than the Palestinian squad. So relying on a flat ball is best. This tactic had actually been run against the United Arab Emirates last night, but according to coach Bima, it seems that the tactic has not been implemented properly.

In their time of training, some fans began to support them from behind the 4-meter-high iron mesh that surrounded the training ground. They called for words of motivation to make the Indonesian players excited.

“It seems you have a new fan,” Andrika said as she pushed Reza slowly.

The two laughed lightly, before a whistle from coach Markus shocked the two. Coach Markus stared intently at the two. Andrika and Reza also felt guilty for not really practicing.

“Sorry, coach!” Simultaneously with firmly Reza and Andrika.

Meanwhile, Ikram only shook his head lightly to try to understand the two goalkeeping colleagues.

***

Saturday, 8 October 2022. The Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium.

All the fans and spectators began to crowd the stadium at 7 p.m. Because kick-off will be at 08:00, of course they prepare early.

On the ground, the security forces started to get so busy. Some of the stadium staff were also pacing around preparing for everything.

Outside the stadium, the fans started to be enthusiastic because the buses from both teams had come simultaneously. From the Indonesian U-17 bus, everything went down one by one and went straight to the dressing room.

The Palestinian players went down and occasionally stole a glance at the Indonesian players. Their gaze was a nervous impression and also on one side the courage to try the match with an open game against Indonesia.

The Indonesian U-17 dressing room.

“We must fully implement that tactic. Short-feed tactics against Malaysia will continue to be developed. So ... cheer up!” Coach Bima gives a little encouragement.

The players are also ready to wear a white top jersey with green and blue motifs on the collar and also folds the arms, then full green pants. Reza himself wore a yellow jersey with a black stripe of collars and also folds of arms.

Minute by minute, the small warm-ups from both teams have been completely ready. Both teams are ready to fight. Moreover, Palestine who just got 3 points from 2 games, 1 defeat and also 1 victory.

Indonesia itself must continue to score victories, because it will facilitate in its steps towards the actual round later in the Asian Cup U-17 2023.

***

Both teams are in the hallway with the referee leading the game. Rumbling in the stadium was so enthusiastic, chant and yel-yel sung by supporters who support Indonesia U-17.

As the referee walked, both teams headed for the field.

The two teams lined up to sing their respective national songs.

When Indonesia sang the national anthem, the whole stadium followed it so solemnly. The cold started piercing the pores, so goosebumps for many people.

“Life Indonesia Raya~”

After the song finished being sung, the claps of thousands of pairs of hands began to echo in the stadium.

Photo and coin tos sessions are conducted. Indonesia gets the first ball. This time, it was Arkhan who did the kick-off.

When the referee blew the whistle, Arkhan immediately kicked the ball and the third match for Indonesia began!