Football System: Classic Number 10
Chapter 128: The Story of Those Who Are in South Korea

If Rizaldi Fatah is enjoying his moment together with the Cananga FC Mining first team that is touring in Spain, another story with some of his compatriots who are currently struggling to ensure themselves into the squad of Coach Igarashi Maeda's first choice to represent the Indonesian U-17 national team.

There are three Rizaldi compatriots who are struggling to get a main place in the U-17 national team, namely Axel Raihan, Derry Yanuar, and also Martin Santoso. The three of them competed with thirty other players to earn a place in the first team. 

Today is exactly one month of their national plates, the three of them are still able to survive the rigors of the training provided by Coach Igarashi Maeda and also the cold climate in South Korea which is much different from the warm climate in Indonesia. But still they survive.

This morning, Coach Igarashi Maeda gathered these thirty young Garuda players. Coach Maeda was accompanied by several assistants, along with one of the national team coaches who had handled the Indonesian national team at a young age as well, namely Coach Jamaludin. 

"Everything's gathered!" Said Coach Maeda and all prospective national team players immediately gathered.

"Today is the day you've been waiting for. It has been a month since you were selected as one of the young players from the national team. Today is the day that will tell the truth to all of you, whether you deserve to defend the national team or not" 

Coach Maeda's speech made all prospective young Indonesian players more nervous, not least for Axel, Derry and Martin. But they are sure to give their best for this opportunity, they are not playing around during the selection but still they hope with luck that will help them.

"Today you will play a match of 11 against 11. I'm going to split the teams, whoever plays and whoever is the back-up I'm going to choose" Coach Maeda said, and then he started to look at the record he was carrying.

"Team A!" Coach Maeda shouted a little, then he started reading the names that went into team A. Three Musketeers from Cananga Youth Mining are joined in team A, along with Hilmawan Yoga. The four of them along with team A will compete with team B filled with names such as Wawan Angga from Sparta Bandung FC - Then there is Raffi Putra from Batavia Fort FC - and Wildan figure Hutami was the most prominent player in I-Youth yesterday.

In team A, Martin and Yoga Hilmawan will work together to dismantle the defense of team B which looks solid like the fortresses of Constantinople.

As soon as the whistle is blown by Coach Maeda, the game begins. Team B immediately hit the gas in the early minutes. Their team seems to have been united, although filled by many talented players but did not make their game hampered and limited easily. And the B team that managed to make the first chance.

The great and stunning ability of Wildan Hutami makes the defense of team A is in disarray, even Axel Raihan must go down to help the defense to block Wildan Hutami, the defense of Wildan, but unfortunately he can still pass Wildan Hutami quite easily. Wildan Hutami then scanning in the penalty area of team A, he can see there are 2-4 B team players who crowded the penalty box team A, he can see there are 2-4 players who packed the penalty box team A, then with a little calculation Wildan Hutami also gave a very beautiful cross.

The cross was pointing closer to Munip Hadi, the player from Madura Umicale was directly jumping to snatch the ball, but Derry Yanuar's response was quicker to catch the ball to bring it right into his arms. Because Munip Hadi Hadi no longer had time to stop the pace of his body, he finally hit with Derry Yanuar and made Derry fall quite sick and hard. The offence was clearly committed by Munip Hadi, although it was not intentional by him. The medical team immediately entered to check on Derry's condition, because Derry has been included in the list of players he relies on in the AFF Cup tournament later.

"I'm okay sir!" said Derry after being given treatment by the medical team, it seems he can still continue training.

But Coach Igarashi Maeda was still not convinced, he advanced to see firsthand the situation of Derry Yanuar up close. "Give your hands up high" he said.

Derry seemed to know what was in the mind of the Japanese coach, he was in a hurry to convince Coach Igarashi that he was fine. "I'm okay coach! It's a bit of pain, but I can still play coach and contribute to the team"

Coach Igarashi's gaze became dilemmatic, he did not know what to do under these conditions. Finally giving up and preferring to follow his heart, Coach Igarashi chose to keep believing the figure of Derry Yanuar who he thought could give the best for the team when they competed later.

Derry Yanuar was happy because he was given confidence again, the game was immediately resumed. Martin and Axel come to Derry and ask how he is, but Derry answers them clearly and clearly. "I'm in top shape, you guys take it easy. Thank you for worrying about me" said Derry, giving a thumbs up pose to both of them.

The match continued again, this time the two teams played fairly evenly and both played openly. The game was so exciting to see, even Coach assistant coach Igarashi Maeda forgot to shut his mouth because he was too fond of the game that happened today. The heat of today's match overcame the cold of the morning in Seoul.

But unfortunately until the time has ended, team A must experience defeat. The score of 3-2 ended for the victory of team B. Two goals were created thanks to a sweet assist from Wildan Hutami, then Wildan contributed one last goal that ensured the victory of team B. Two team A goals scored by Yoga Hilmawan, with an assist from Axel Raihan.

"Let's all gather!" Coach Igarashi Maeda then gathers all the players, this is the moment awaited by all of them, then the veil of truth will open, they can see into it at that time.

"All of you have shown me what a great desire and great willingness you all have to wear this jersey" coach Igarashi Maeda said while showing a red and white jersey that will be worn by the Indonesian U-17 national team later in the AFF Cup.

The face of each player immediately smiled sweetly, they were all imagining how valiant they were when wearing a great costume that was in line with the color of the Indonesian flag. There was a sense of nervousness also accompanying them, as felt by Derry, Axel and Martin who were worried about their position.

Now in the hands of Coach Igarashi Maeda there is a paper that contains a record of the names of the players he will choose to become the main player, to defend the Indonesian U-17 national team for the AFF cup and possibly the U-17 Asian Cup.

"These are the names of players who will be included in the squad of the Indonesian U-17 National Team for the upcoming AFF Cup. The names are called, please come forward" then Coach Igarashi starts mentioning the names of the players who will be included in his squad.

"For the Goalkeeper position. Derry Yanuar, Wawan Angga, and Gianluca Haris" the three players who filled the position as goalkeepers went straight ahead. Derry Yanuar who was feeling so happy had to cover up first his delight.

"For the centre-back position. Raffi Putra, Rezaldi Rahman, Hargianto Suparjo, Hardian Raharjo. Then for the position of full-back Supardi Nasir, Teuku Jamil, Syahrian Hehanusa, Mubarak Ali. Middle and front position. Wildan Hutami, Axel Raihan, Munip Hadi, Martin Santoso, Raihan Crespo, Ilhamsyah, M.Ridwan, Pasha Bandi"

All the names that Coach Maeda had called out immediately made a bow of gratitude and some cried because they felt all their efforts were finally avenged with the final result that was very satisfying to them. Now there is only one step left for them, they will fight with all their might to get the most prestigious trophy in Southeast Asia, the AFF Cup. Then after that, they will begin to stick the nails of young garuda in the Asian Cup which will also not be long.