Dream : Legend Maker
Semifinals

WARNING: Any form of name, place, background is fiction

A wide variety of public reactions are shown across social media platforms.

This is because Indonesia has twice failed to enter the semifinals since 2018.

Because of that now all lovers of balls in the country are showing high enthusiasm.

All the fans of the homeland have longed that their national team will return to the semifinals and fight for the championship.

Hastag Indonesia AFF champion even had become a trending topic on Twitter. They become greedy and expect more once they get what they want.

But not a few of them also showed concern. This is because the semi-final system is that the group winners will fight the runners up of other groups and vice versa.

Because Indonesia finished as runners up of group B they will fight group A winners. Group A winners are the second strongest team in Southeast Asia, Thailand.

Through interviews from sports news reporters, coach Indra said that they will work hard and show their best.

"The whole team has a good competitive spirit. But keep in mind that our next opponent is not as easy as expected. We admit that Thailand are a strong team.

But it would be better if we focused on ourselves. In essence, we will work hard and give our best in the semi-final against Thailand."

~

Currently all Indonesian national team players are in the multimedia room. They were watching the Thai game during the group stages.

The purpose of watching the Thailand rematch is for each player to know how the Thai team is playing.

Five games and they conceded only three goals. Thailand became the team with the fewest goals.

All the players who are in the multimedia room to watch can feel that the defense belongs to the Thai team is very strong.

After watching some reruns of the game they had some understanding of Thailand. They have some great players to look out for.

Especially their goalkeepers. His reflexes, awareness, and range of hands were excellent.

Their defensive midfielders should also be wary of. He is very good at intercepting and setting the tempo. But what is more stunning is the long-distance hull bait that can tear the opponent's defense.

The last one is their striker. He currently plays in the Bundesliga, the highest league in Germany. With Schalke 04 he has played five times and scored two goals and an assist.

Coach Indra who was at the front observed his protege and immediately said.

"You've seen how the Thai team plays. It's very difficult for us to win. Are you guys scared?"

"No sir," cried all of them loudly.

Coach Indra nodded satisfied with the mentality of his students.

"Good, I really believe in your abilities. Surprise them that we are not easy trash to tread on.

Now, let's discuss the strategy. I want to win possession in the middle of the pitch and attack through three sides.

Aldo I want you to take Raka's place and have more confidence in building attacks. Tojim will always be behind you to reclaim the ball.

Nando and Supriyadi you also cut inside often because Brian and Edo will help attack from the side.

Then Raymond, run around a lot to find space and deliver the deadly blow."

The team meeting session is over and coach Indra told them to rest because tomorrow is match day.

When Raka entered the dormitory her phone shook. It was a message from his father.

The spirit of son, father and mother will watch from the stands. How injury? are you being played? Too bad when it's time for you to convince your mother hahaha.

Different from his father who agreed to a career as a professional footballer his mother strictly forbid it.

According to my mother, playing football as a career is risky. It would be better to be a civil servant, a doctor, or a lawyer.

Both of Raka's thumbs immediately touched the screen to type a reply.

It all depends on the decision of coach Indra. But really my injury is fine.

June 12th, game day.

Different from the group stage matches, the semi-finals and final will be held at Jakarta International Stadium.

The match between Thailand and Indonesia was at three in the afternoon while the match between Vietnam and Malaysia was held at six in the afternoon.

The match will be broadcast on a glass screen precisely on a state-owned TV station. TV-I. Bung Haris and Bung Burhan will comment on the match.

"Bung Haris how do you think coach Indra will mix the Indonesian team against Thailand this time?"

"I think personally it looks like this time coach Indra will do the same tactics as when facing Vietnam."

"The reform survives yes, judging from its condition it seems like Indonesia is quite difficult this time. Because their captain Raka was injured and their main winger Andreas was given a red card."

"Yes you are right, although their roles can be replaced but no one has as big a presence as Raka on the pitch. I hate to say it but viewers, this match will be really tough for Indonesia."

Soon the television screen changed to display the football green field. The voices of Bung Haris and Bung Burhan still fill in as background voices.

Like the discussion of the two of them, both Raka and Andreas are not in the starting eleven of the Indonesian national team.

But that is not entirely true because at this time Indra coach does not apply a defensive strategy but an attacking strategy.

Indonesia play with a 4-1-3-2 formation. Aldo's position advanced forward and his initial position was replaced by Tojim.

"Wow, man, I guess this time coach Indra was gambling using an attacking formation."

"You're right, I was able to doubt the scene in front of me but when you said it it seemed like I didn't have any disturbance in sight."

Bung Haris laughed when he heard the response of a joke thrown by Bung Burhan.

"It's really risky. But it's good if at this time we try to believe in the strategy of coach Indra."

The match immediately began with the Indonesian side doing a kick off first. They directly attacked the Thai defense through the flank.

The ball is currently in Nando's control. He ran on the right side. When he met the Thai full-back, Nando immediately did a cut inside.

The Thai full-back seemed to have known Nando's tactics and immediately confronted the inside of the field.

What he did not expect was that it was a deliberate move by Nando. He again dribbled through the right side leaving the Thai full-back in the distance.

Both Aji and Raymond had run into the opponent's penalty zone. Nando immediately crossed.

The ball soared high and was successfully headed by Aji.

In the television studio Bung Haris with a spirit of shouting, because this is a golden momentum for Indonesia.

"Nando cut, oh yeahampun it's a hoax, Nando dribble, crossing. Aji jumps...."

BAM!

The excited Bung Haris hit his desk in regret.

"It is a shame that a header from Aji was successfully halted by the Thai goalkeeper. This is a good start for Indonesia."