Soccer System: Legendary Goalkeeper

Chapter 89 - Opening Match, Japan U-17 Vs. Australia U-17

May 2, 2023, all teams that have advanced to the finals from the qualifying results some time ago have prepared better.

Several hotels and the Training Ground have been used quickly until a total of ten Training Grounds in Tokyo are almost exhausted. One of the Training Ground, used by the Indonesian U-17 national team.

They will meet in the opening match of AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023 which will be held at Ajinomoto Stadium. One of the stadiums used in this event.

The stadium has a capacity of around 50,000 seats, making it one of the largest stadiums used in this year's tournament.

Currently, the Indonesian U-17 national team is preparing at their Training Ground. Coach Bima sorted out the best players and also the second tier that he will use later.

The squad this time also barely changed since qualifying some time ago. The squad that has been arranged neatly, assembled until it becomes a unit, it is no longer possible to be dismantled just to find other new players.

This squad is quite strong enough to challenge the teams from Asia. For example, Japan, the team in their opening match.

“Reza, you will still be the first choice. Take care of your body health, do not let–”

Reza instantly interrupts, “Yes, Coach! I will fight as hard as I can!”

Seeing Reza's attitude, Coach Bima just smiled. He will eventually concoct a player that can later be used by Coach S. Tae-yong in senior Indonesian national team.

On May 2nd, preparations are almost complete.

Coach Bima has assembled a very precise formation to dampen the dominance of the Japanese team. This is the result of his experiment as well.

Backline, still with familiar and memorable names. Their abilities are arguably the best at this young age.

Wing-back, filled by Rizdjar and also Habil Akbar who will be in charge of widening to the wing to help attack, they also faced the main task as a defender, namely maintaining the depth of defense.

Meanwhile, at centre-back, there is Iqbal who still remains in his position and also his plot. As captain, he tends to have to direct his colleagues, must be observant of anything, and dispel attacks. He looks like a sweeper back.

In the middle, with five players forming a unit.

On the left side, with a fairly experimental plot, there stood Arkhan who was tasked to comb the left side area. Arkhan also has to be creative on one side.

On the right side, there is the name Nabil who previously should be a striker, now plotted as a wing midfielder in coordinating attacks from midfield, as well as Arkhan.

In the middle, three players stood out. One of them leaned back, plotted as a defensive midfielder. The rest are creative midfielders and also ball groove breakers.

As a defensive midfielder, there is the name Achmad Zidan who is in charge of being the first layer in defense. If he is not able, at least he disturbs the concentration of the opponent attackers so that the defenders have time to docked.

Then as a creative midfielder there is Narendra who tries to do his job. As a string of attacks, he was not immediately relied upon also in the state of this opening game.

For the ball-busting midfielder, Femas is the man between right and wrong. Perhaps, according to his initial understanding, Femas looked mismatched, but this was Coach Bima trying out an experiment.

Turning forward, the other two players will be the sharpest spear of Indonesia U-17. Become Garuda who will fly and pounce on his enemy to do the best action.

Yanuar and Riski are the most recent duet to date.

This is a guessing formation ala Coach Bima. 3-5-2 Deviate, one of the rather odd formations for a general formation enthusiast like 4-3-3.

Back to understanding, with the provision of 4 days of Focusing Training, they have matured everything that must be improved.

***

The opening match, an AFC U-17 Asian Cup match 2023 that will bring together Japan who are the winning candidates and Indonesia who are said to be the goal barn candidates of strong teams.

May 3, 2023, the match between Japan and Indonesia, will be broadcast by a national television station from Indonesia, TripleTV.

With professional commentators, the opening words that so raised the blood of unyielding spirit. The authority of the commentators is very pronounced and they are currently discussing the tactics of both teams.

15 Minutes before the game began, both teams were in a stadium that was filled with spectators and supporters. About half were filled, mostly Japanese supporters.

However, Indonesian supporters are also not less numerous, and almost rival the voice of Japanese supporters who in fact still more.

Reza, this is the biggest show for his country right now. Previously, he had only played in Qualifications, now what was qualified for had been achieved.

Reza also wants to fight Japanese revenge. That's because Indonesia U-20 national team, about two weeks ago, won the AFC U-20 Asian Cup 2023, against Japan in the final.

Of course, the Japanese U-17 national team this time will take revenge belonging to his brothers.

***

“Woooo! The kick-off has started at the feet of the Japanese players! Look, they! Their passes are very fast and keep up with the speed of Indonesian players, or even exceed!”

“This ... oh! Nah! They will attack in these early seconds!”

The commentator has been excited. In the stadium it was even more tumultuous when a Japanese player, Michiwaki Yutaka, a winger who moved so freely on the right side.

“Dragon him!” tell Reza while pointing annoyed.

Rizdjar tried to escort Yutaka, with his agility, almost free. Luckily Rizdjar was assisted by Achmad so that the Yutaka movement was not so free.

Seeing Yutaka in trouble, Reza again exclaimed, “Stay guard! Don't forget the others!”

Some Japanese players started to move with a strange-looking coordination, but that was a high-level danger.

Yutaka directly directed the ball back, behind him there was already Yotaro Nakajima who immediately kicked back the ball.

However, the direction is clearly visible. Getting into the penalty box is very dangerous goal!

Reza who saw that, he glanced to his right and left. His decision was only a split second, he immediately came out of his area and plucked the ball in the air unhindered.

Taps!

Reza landed comfortably, throwing the ball forward as a counter-attack.

“Turnback! Scheme dropped them late!” shouted Coach Bima in the middle of the stadium noise.

The ball was obtained by Nabil and he immediately ran wide on the right side. With good control, he tried to slow down the groove a bit to wait for his teammate to climb forward.

“Receive this!” exclaim Nabil.

The ball was obtained by Riski who was quite free in front of the penalty box, about 24 meters from the mouth of the goal.

Riski is flanked by two Japanese players. But that doesn't make it difficult.

Reacting to take a swipe, Riski also flew the ball towards the Japanese goal.

The ball sped quickly, but unfortunately a pat from a goalkeeper named Wataru managed to save his goal.