The Ball Behind the Love of the Court
31. First Match Equalized Scores

*Prittt* The whistle is back. The referee gestured for Ana to change players.

"Anna's spirit" I tried to encourage Ana not to fall mentally.

Yet she was still being indifferent, Ana's sharp gaze staring at hatred at me. For a moment I forgot that look and went into the field. Being at the back and trying to adapt to the pitch and the players.

From my point of view, the opposing players always attack. We only had 22 minutes to score and equalise. At the back are Gita, Ayu, and Desi. In midfield there are Arin, Rega, Vena and in the front line as strikers there are Ika, Mega and Fara.

However, all players must work hard and work together in order to equalize. Rega is currently the captain of the team that governs his comrades. She is an 11th grader herself but not very familiar with Ana. He was also kind to me, although he rarely spoke he never cornered me like any other friend.

"Let's get some spirit, some spirit, we can" Shouted Rega trying to raise an already moody player.

I prepared myself to occupy my position. Right now the ball is at the feet of the opponent, they are trying to get in our defence. I tried to prevent it and managed to snatch the ball from the opponent's foot. There are two options forward or survive. If I stay then there is no chance to add to the goal. If it is against then there is still a possibility to score.

"Forward, forward" I shouted at the front. I, trying to dribble, scrape the ball while tricking the opponent with a few moves. Some of the opponents I got past.

On the front I see Mega who has a very good running speed. There Mega stood free without a fight. I tried to play the hull ball, right now I don't care about the screams from the Nature coach telling us to defend. I tried to follow the tempo of the game with the ball hull.

I was wrong to play alone and not follow the coach's instructions. But on the field, however, you have to make your own decisions so as not to waste the opportunity.

*bluk*

The ball goes far into the front. Mega chased him at the speed he had. The opposing defense player could not keep up with Mega's speed and eventually he managed to get the ball up to one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

*bluk*

"Gollllllllll" A very pretty goal can fool the goalkeeper out of the opponent. All the excitement and not doing excessive celebration because they still miss the score. The silent audience also cheered loudly, our supporters roared back and sang to give encouragement.

"Good, let's refocus and focus" said the nature coach beside the field. Rega also gives a burning spirit so as not to sag. It looks like the opponent can already be penetrated because the speed in the back line can not compensate for the speed that mega have.

The ball is back controlled by the opposing team. Our players tried various attempts to grab the ball but unfortunately still could not. The opposing player plays a slow tempo, remaining 15 minutes of normal time. Inevitably I should come forward and help the assault again.

Finally the ball can be snatched by my team. Now the ball is passed to the back line. patiently play foot to foot, then I try to re-penetrate the opponent's defense. Dribbling and showing the skills I learned with David.

The game no longer uses the hull bait. I tried to use the triangle tactic by gesturing to Rega and he told the players. Even though I never did game practice with them at least I followed the tempo of the game by enjoying the game. All the players understood, so the triangle tactics had broken through the midfield and managed to get closer to the penalty box.

I, Rega and Ika Jiga took part in the attack and launched a triangular tactic. Finally the last ball fell at my feet and calmly executed into the goal.

* bluk*

"Yaps on desired target"

"Gollllllll" The second goal was scored by me. All eliminate the sense of hostility and celebrate success together in peace. But we must not dissolve in the celebration of victory because we are still losing the score with the opposing player.

"Good Key, passion for equalising" Rega texted me and gave me a few directions.

"okay"

It seems like the opposing players are also frustrated. The mentality seems slack because to penetrate the defense of the back line of our team alone is not able.this situation can be used to return to attack.

I always try to defend or attack. Sometimes I also occupy the left-back and right-back sides alternately with Gita who has the original position at right-back. It was able to make it difficult for the opponent to penetrate our defense because it is difficult to read the position.

The cheers grew more and more, making our spirits even more burning. Time was approaching the final minutes but still the score did not change which is 3-2. I racked my brain to attack. I patiently pass by pass to dare to bring the ball alone in front of the opponent's defense.

My run is fast but still faster than Mega. Mega is waiting in front of me. I decided with a direct kick because the position of Mega surrounded both opposing players so it is very difficult to divide the ball to him.

*bluk*

My kick was successfully pushed by the goalkeeper to produce a corner kick for our team. The rest of the minutes only 2 minutes, it looks like a corner kick is the last chance we have to take advantage of.

"Key, I believe the same you let's do a corner kick" Rega's gaze had a last hope that was hard to say clearly, and I could read that.

I don't want to have to do it well. Even though I never did corner kicks both in the game and other matches. This time I tried with great confidence.

Chanting the ball as a sign that it was on my side. I calmed my mind and heart, then calmly executed the ball. There are Fara, Arin, Ika, Mega and Rega. The tall players already have Fara and Arin ready to execute with a header. I'm focused on Fara and Arin, because they are the highest in our team. I can use their height.

*bluk*ball kick with on target directly struck by Arin's header.

"Gollll" The dramatic goal we got and managed to equalize. We managed to rise from mistakes until mnajkandan tin won a draw point. We are happy and proud of the results.

"Thank you key, because you're a team we can bounce back" Rega said in the middle of the dressing room.

" No, we work together. I also thank you for giving me the opportunity to do a corner kick"

"Yes the same" All the team was happy and grateful to me. But I say victory comes from cooperation not from individuals. Coach Alam was silent and did not speak to me. Especially Ana who gave her a straight face. I just kept quiet and enjoyed what I thought would make me happy.

We all came home proud despite the series. In the match earlier I also saw Dika's brother who screamed in excitement but I ignored him. My decision has been made to stay away from Dika's sister in order to maintain the integrity of my friendship with Yuri.

All the players were happy on the bus. But I just chose silence to review the match earlier. Trying to learn tricks from opponents that I think are also very beautiful when done. I try to remember in order to be drawn and studied. It seems like my life has been snatched away by the ball. Not half but completely.

When we got to school, we went home. Waiting for an angkot but it's night, so I just try to keep quiet looking for a bus ride or motorcycle taxi. But it was still quiet and fortunately there was Rega who offered me the bonfire. And our house is also in order. So I went with Rega and I chose to stop at the stop where Riki used to sell.

"There's a lot of it, Mr. Rega has done for me"

"Have relaxed, just call Rega don't have to use brother because we are a team" I nodded in understanding and Rega left to pass.

I was also looking for Riki's figure, but it looks like he's gone home. Usually he is still selling but why has he come home. So I walked to Abi's shop. There Mr. Abi even fell asleep so it was not good to bother him. I headed home to go home and rest. Two more days will be the second match.

Laying down most comfortable is on the mattress accompanied by bobo the beloved doll. Then I looked at the window filled with stars. Or staring at the ceiling of a room that is already rather worn out. Because staring there is my way to expose the story that is being stored until I forget the time and fall asleep with pleasure.

"Uahhhhhhhhhhh" Relaxing after sleep is great. Exercise is better but there is no time. And this morning it seems like I want to cook something special, which is cob fish.

Cooking until you forget time. The clock is 06:10 and I'm not ready yet. Accounts hurry up quickly to leave immediately. Run in full force until you reach the stop. But I seem to have missed the usual angkot.

\*tin, tin\* the motor I knew stopped right in front of me who was still in a daze looking for angkot.

\*tin, tin\* I still ignored it and pretended not to see.

"It's still strong waiting for angkot, it's already 06.30 if you don't leave then it will be late for school" I tried to stare at him slowly. Brother Dika is still calm and patiently waiting for me.

"We haven't talked for a long time, just this once you forget everything first and follow me because otherwise you could be late" I tried to stop and lower the ego. But I don't want Yuri to see it . If I don't go with Dika then I'll be late for school.

"Let's go with the key, I just want to help you anyway" Kak Dika continued to force me. And I had no choice but to go with him. But when I shake I keep my distance. On the way we were both silent until we reached the school gate.

"Thank you, sister" Brother Dika just nodded and I went by. When I was a little far away, I tried to turn around and saw that Dika's sister was still looking at me. And I walked right back to class. Maybe Dika's sister still likes me. The question kept on passing through this mind. But it's important to first get into class.

"Keyyyy" Yuri cried when she saw me coming into the classroom. He immediately hugged me and congratulated me on the success in football yesterday.

"Key know not, you became a byword at this school after successfully equalizing yesterday" Yuri said and was justified by Ari who sat beside him.

"meaning? "

"They love your game a lot"

"Here you go, it's all thanks to the team" I don't want to pay attention to the praise they give.

Moreover, they say many who like my game yesterday. If I continue to drag on with arrogance then all of that will slowly destroy my career. Mosquitoes will die from applause. So I want to be an ordinary player who does not need high praise but can prove worthy of entry into the first team or even into the national team that I have dreamed of so much.

It turned out to be true Yuri and Ari's words. After the break bell rang I walked to the cafeteria. There's a lot of talk about me over yesterday's game.

All their attention was on me who was walking. Even on the board mading clearly visible school news that says that my beautiful game is able to compensate the opponent's score.

~~~~ CONNECT ~~~~