The Ball Behind the Love of the Court
37. The Semi Final

Let me give you support from the bench. Winning loses is common in every game. When winning should be grateful and when losing must accept with a guttering chest.

"I'm sure they can deal with it" high confidence grew in my heart, because I knew they could play well.

In the first half it was 1-0 down because of lack of fighting spirit. When I came in and sat on the bench, they were playing more and more in earnest.

When viewed from the game of the opposing team, they mastered a lot of tactics compared to our team. Their bodies are also supportive: tall and contained. But we have to believe that in a game the impossible happens. Sometimes a lot of people underestimate.

In the second half we conceded again from the opposing team. The score changed to 2-0 in the 73rd minute. We still have 17 minutes in normal time. The team has to take the time to win the game.

"Come spirit, you can let's focus" Shouted and followed by other reserve players also give spirit to the retainer who is competing in the middle of the field.

"Key, come here"

"Yes coach" Coach Alam called out to me, I politely walked up to him. Trying to get rid of the ego and make peace with it even though reality hurts.

"Prepare, you'll compete in place of Ana"

"No coach, they deserve the opportunity to fight and work hard to win the game. Although the final result will not be satisfactory, at least we still have the opportunity to enter the semi-finals to make history. They could be without my coach" I politely declined him.

I'm sure they can handle it without me. And today our team will have 2 possibilities. Losing but entering the semi-finals carved out a new history that has never been achieved by the school team and winning it became a pride for everyone because of hard work.

"Well, if that's what you want. But please help me give direction to those who struggle there"

"Every coach" I know the real Alam kid still wants to play me in the team. But I don't know why he accepted the guy's offer by accepting money not to play me in the team.

"Friends please help me to give support to those who are struggling. Shout to give spirit. These are critical minutes. At least we can put a goal in the opponent's goal to reduce the position" said my words to all the reserve players on the bench.

The game of our team is very insistent to break into the opponent's goal. But an unsportsmanlike game of stalling time that shouldn't be important made our team very furious. A lot of time wasted. Until the 90th minute of normal time, the score is still the same 2-0. But our team continues to go on an increased attack after attack to penetrate the defence.

"If I had been there, maybe my hands would have played" I was so angry to see their dirty game stalling.

Additional 4 minutes given by the referee. Attack after attack launched although very minimal can produce goals because the opponent's defensive wall is very thick.

Until finally Ika can penetrate the defense and get into the box pinalty. The defense at the back became topsy-turvy until a foul on Ika and resulted in a penalty kick. We cheered for the chance to score even if it was only 1.

Fara will execute the penalty kick. All teams on the pitch and off the pitch prayed quietly. Even our supporters prayed without a sound. Minute by minute, this is the last chance to score. Despite losing at least we still bring 1 victory goal into the opponent's goal.

*prit* the whistle sound is sounded. All our players and supporters continue to pray to the Creator. While some of the opposing supporters continue to shout in order to eliminate the concentration of Fara. For a moment Fara closed her eyes and executed the ball calmly.

*golllllllllll*scream of a goal to please all players or supporters of our team.

"Good Fara" I ran up to her as she performed the celebration.

Although the important defeat has given 1 goal with very high spirit. All the teams and run to the field, like a winning ball. Happy and proud to be seen from the face of the player. It is a true victory despite losing but at least a defeat with respect because it fought until the last sweat. And the most important thing is to get into the final week.

Though the winner is the opposing team, but their victory was lost with the excitement and shout of us who only have 1 goal in this game but can go into the semi-final final. Because what is awaited is to enter the match that has never been tracked during this school competition in the 6th women's High School football cup competition.

Everyone had fun getting into the dressing room. I also smile with them. Dancing and yelling and singing are so thunderous in the dressing room. The players and the coach reacted by jumping in joy because despite losing but we could go to the semi-finals.

"Thank you key, this is all because of your decision to return" Rega walked up to me and hugged proudly. I did nothing but do what I thought I deserved to continue.

"It's all a result of the team's hard work and you're the greatest captain" I applaud Rega because I think he's a good team captain for taking our retainer through to the semi-finals. We both hugged tightly and the other players hugged me except Ana.

"Let's get ready to go home and train, we're ready for another 3-day match in the semi-final" Shouted coach Alam and tried to give us some spirit.

"Every coach" They're all out of the dressing room. I deliberately went out the back and waited for the nature coach to come out as well.

"Coach, I'm sorry if I offended the coach" I ventured to apologize to Coach Alam for my actions to withdraw from the team and make my friends lose concentration.

"No key, you're not wrong. I was wrong to never pay attention to you either during training or in the field" Cocah Alam embraced me as a child. And I think he's a coach and a father to his students. Although sometimes there are some things that make him not think clearly about the ball.

We both caught up with our comrades and went inside to make. Preparation to train for 2 days to be able to win the match in the semi-final final until the final.

" Crazy, our team made history for getting into the final art for the first time"

"Rubber, it looks like this tick is going to be a great team"

The conversation at the school got more and more lively as we entered the semi-finals. This is history because it can take a football team so far to the semi-finals. We were also given a dispensation in the lesson hours for having to train more for the next game. We have 2 days to practice.

"Let's get some spirit, some spirit. Don't be leyah-leyeh y'all" cried as we trained on the field.

I also trained with them all. Coach Alam was also my coach. And finally I really got good direction and training from coach Alam even though in the last days he let me go and never gave instructions or training.

When I came home from training, I always cleaned the ball diligently and helped by some other friends. Then they all rushed home except for me who was still arranging the ball. As my steps continued to go home, I again heard the conversation of two people who were discussing.

"But key is also my student sir, and I have an obligation to train him"

"That means you've started to fight me huh, if you dare then all your son's hospital fees will I unplug" I was surprised to hear the threat.

Who is the person who is with the coach of Nature, until he threatens something like that. And what's with the son of the Nature coach so he needs a fee from that guy.

\*prakkkk\* I accidentally hit the door when I want to run. My steps rushed away and the two of them chased after me but there was one hand pulling me into one of the classrooms so the two of them couldn't find me. My heart was pounding for fear that they would find out that I had heard everything.

"Sir Dika"

"Sssst" I understood and immediately fell silent until the two of them left and stopped looking for me.

"Wire, someone heard us and it's not safe" said someone standing next to the Nature coach

"I want to end it all sir, I'm afraid of getting caught"

"Have been silent, do as I ask" His impact made coach Alam speechless. Then they rushed off somewhere.

"You're key gapapa" I shook my head when Dika's brother asked me. Our distance was so close that my hand immediately pushed it a little far away.

"Oh, sick key"

"I'm sorry, sorry, we're too close" Dika shook her head and moved away from me.

"Who's key? " Task Dika who was curious about the person earlier.

"That's a nature coach, and the other one I don't know because I don't see his face"

"You have to be careful, it looks like they're bad guys" I nodded in agreement with the statement that Brother was saying.

"So, let's go home" We both left the classroom looking and making sure that they both had actually left this school.

"Oh yes where are you going" I tried to continue the journey to the stop to wait for the angkot.

"Waiting for the angkot brother"

"Ngapain wait angkot, better come with me we go home together. I'm afraid they're still looking for you" said Dika's brother there's a point too, I'd rather go with him than face them both and interrogate me.

Brother Dika drove me home as usual at the village intersection and we split up there. We're getting better, but I still have to keep my distance so that there is no misunderstanding between me and Yuri.

Since that park, I have become aware because my brother is trying to give me the awareness and passion to get back into the team. I think what I did to Dika's sister all this time was very bad. And I have to fix it from now on by being Dika's best friend.

When at school my attitude was normal with sister Dika. We also greeted each other and I also told her to say hello to my best friend's yuri and ari. And more precisely my goal is to bring Dika's sister closer to yuri. Yuri once said that she really liked Dika's sister. He also wanted to be close to Dika's brother beyond seniors and juniors. But I can't impose my feelings on Dika I can only bring Dika's sister closer by doing silly things with Ari.

As for the silly thing I did, I gave a gift to Dika's sister and said that it was from Yuri as well as Ari who gave a gift to Yuri and said from Dika's sister. Hope the relationship between Dika and Yuri is getting closer.

Days passed and it was time for the semi-final to be held. The school was sent home early to see the match from us. But only Yuri came with Dika's sister because I asked for her.

While Ari again did not come because he said he wanted to visit his grandmother's house again. I don't know why Ari always dodges in my matches. Though I want my two friends to see it, even though later I will not be played.

"You go where the hell ri is, when I want to see you watch the game" A little disappointed in me. And I shouldn't be selfish because Ari has a vested interest.

When the match started, coach Alam played me in the initial match. I played with the first players in the first half. Play boldly and in accordance with the instructions said by coach Alam. This time I followed the instructions given by the Nature coach. His screams will get louder when his eyes look at the opposing team starting to approach the penalty box from us.