The Ball Behind the Love of the Court
77. Disreputation

I have to play more focused so as not to cause mistakes like that. And I have to turn a deaf ear to the bad words of both the team and the audience. I'll prove that the feet can play better.

*prittt* Until the final whistle of half one sounds the score does not change 0-1. Temporary defeat in the round one that we received. I looked guilty as I entered the dressing room. It felt quiet and silent.

"This is all because you key, if the play is focused do not mislead the bait continues" Shouted the captain to me, his name is Rani. He blamed me when the wrong bait I did only once.

"Yes right, you better get kicked out of this team" The more provocation they get. Clash by blow they're throwing anger at me. Fortunately, I was calm and unmoved.

"Yes you don't use the key"

"Is it possible because you are not from this village so your game becomes careless"

"True, it seems so" Almost everyone gave me a mistake. I bowed down and listened to all the scolding. And at the moment there are only us players and the manager and coach are still not in the dressing room.

"I'm sorry I was wrong, I'll fix everything" I said apologizing to all of them.

"From yesterday I'm sorry about what you're talking about, but the results are empty" he shouted. Looks like they don't really like me joining this tarkam team.

"You said you were the best at tarkam and your school, but after playing here the results were zero" Insults after insults kept rolling from their mouths.

"It's enough, you guys are making a fuss anyway" Coach Jaka walked into the dressing room and reprimanded the quarrel that was going on. More precisely the disappointment of the team that was thrown at me.

"It's all wrong key, he doesn't deserve to play here"

"Right coach, he doesn't deserve it" shouting again filled the dressing room. It's like they want to get me out of the team.

"Enough, enough of your insults" I shouted loudly while standing from my seat.

"I'll prove you wrong, I'll prove you play better. And one more thing if my game was bad in the second half, I'd be out of this team" My anger overflowed in my chest, I'd prove to them that I could. That I'm not who they think I am.

"Key" shouted the coach as I decided to withdraw if the second half game was bad and there was no change.

"Sorry coach" I was so emotional I said that. But this determination is already unanimous and I will fight desperately to show my best.

"Now you should focus on not blaming each other. I want you all to play well and work together. In this second half I want to change the attacking strategy"

Coach Jaka changed the assault strategy. I stayed put at left-back to resist the attack. Because they attack more.

He said the defender must be agile not only defending but able to help the attack by applying pressure. You must also concentrate when giving the bait. All players must dare to bring the ball to the place closest to the white point.

Coach Jaka also told us to play quietly and comfortably. Take a shot on goal when an opportunity comes along. Do not wait, make your own decisions in the middle of the field because at this time the coach only gives instructions from the sidelines.

"Good coach" All concentration and listen with certainty to the explanation of coach Jaka. Hopefully this strategy is successfully done sata match has taken place in this second half.

"Bismil was bornrahmanirrahim, O Allah give me strength and ease in competing. aamiin"

We all rushed to the field, as usual I prayed to the creator before stepping on the green grass. This time I pray that it can be given a smoothness. Moreover, I became a core team that bears great responsibility as a purchased player.

*pritttt*long whistle sounded. Focusing on my eyes this time was no joke. Someone approached then I will hit the ball and I snatch it ferociously which is important not to harm the opponent.

"Keyyy, hold it" I heard the shout and my eyes remained focused on the attacking opponent, this time I won't let him escape my barrier.

*blukk*ball I can grab, my brain remembers when coach Jaka suggested to dare to hold the ball, help the attack, and I had to dare to run forward.

"Aniii" Shouted loudly at the sight of Ani without escort and she was standing free at this moment.

*blukk*beautiful kick, thank goodness the ball was on target. Ani did a live shoot but still hasn't made it through the goalkeeper.

"Back off" shouted coach Jaka from behind. Kicks from the opposing goalkeeper managed to give a pass that was right on target. I have to keep the position I am in, if necessary will help in other positions.

This time the opposing players attacked again on the left side, I don't understand why they are targeting the left side. Maybe they thought my defense was weak so they kept on going after him. I stared intently at the ball, like hypnotizing it. Targeting the ball target from the opposing foot player.

*Blukk* Again the ball managed I halted, this time I will run carrying the ball forward as far as possible to get close to the white point. Doing some skills that I have learned, I finally managed to outwit the opposing player even had time to help him.

"Key, key" shouted Rika who was the attacker. He was ready to receive the ball. I aimed at him calmly and managed to throw the ball at him.

*bluk* but unfortunately Rika's last execution can still be withheld. Fortunately, it was a corner kick.

Rani, who plays the captain, gave me the ball. He smiled cunningly but I paid no heed to the expression he gave. I don't know what Rani's thinking I don't care. Now I accept the ball and do my duty as executor..

When putting the ball in the corner, I remember that every practice I always fail to give a good gastric pass even can not do a direct kick towards the goal. But I'm sure with the effort I've made with solitude, it's a great belief that I can do good.

"Convinced to yourself that you can key. Concentrate and give your best" My inner self while staring at the ball.

*prittt* whistle reads, my gaze focused on the goal to make a direct kick towards the goal. Full concentration and trying to remember in the brain that I can, nothing is impossible I'm sure I can.

"Bismillah" He is the best thing before starting.

*bluk*

"Gollllll" All celebrating with joy, do not forget I bow down with gratitude to the creator who gave me the opportunity to prove that I could.

"Alhamdulillah O Allah" No thanksgiving, forget to be spoken to the owner of life that provides convenience.

"Coach" I smiled at Jaka, who was also happy because his team had equalised.

"Good key, now back off and focus when the attack arrives. Surviving the ball needs to attack back, do not be afraid to dribble" Coach Jaka gave some instructions to the players who approached him while drinking on the sidelines.

"Good Coach" I'm back in position. You have to stay focused to play a good game. With the goal, the team was getting excited. As if their stamina is the spirit to make goals and goals.

At the moment the ball is held by our team a lot. A trial kick in the core goal was glued. Often caught by the goalkeeper. But there is no word surrender, who holds the ball close to the goal to make a shot even though in the end it has not yet produced results.

"Good, up" a shout full of emotion that burned the spirit of the player. The screams were clearly heard from the sidelines.

This time I was the one holding the ball after successfully seizing it from the opponent's foot. Try your luck dribbling the ball with passion forward until it gets close to the white spot. Want me to give it to Rika or Ani but at the moment they are heavily guarded by opposing defenders.

Almost all the opposing players are at the back and defend. I was very difficult to penetrate the opposing team's defense. But my legs must be strong to carry the ball and not to let go.

Finally I decided to break through and assist Rani who also broke through using the tactics she had learned. Rani managed to outwit the defender and was getting closer to the opponent's goal.

*bluk*

"Yes, on target" I muttered as the ball hit Rani.

"Gollllll" Good control of the ball from Rani and polishing it slightly to kick hard to produce a one-on-one goal with the opposing player. Fortunately, the kick was free from offside.

"Gollll, Rani gollll" I called him to welcome Rani's goal from the assist I provided. It turned out that he ran not on me but on the other players. I can only smile which is important the team can win the game.

"Yuk key" Invite the welcoming Ani to hug and make me smile with his invitation when the hug was ignored by Rani who I had given the bait as an assist.

"Thank you" I said, and we hugged each other as celebrations and went back to giving thanks.

"Yuk spirit, spirit, time is still long" said Ani and I nodded with a smile then returned to position.

With the added goals I'm sure they will get more excited and get it all out. Sure enough they attacked a lot in the last 10 minutes. This time I can only say focus to defend, if the opposing player retreats I will go up and help the attack.

This time a good cooperation, and our team added 1 more goal. The hard kick from me made the opposing team surprised and made an error that is an own goal into the goal.

Until the final whistle is sounded, the victory is in the hands of our team with a score of 3-1. This adds to the spirit and optimism that we can go out as group winners or runners-up which is important to be able to do matches outside the city.

"Good work" said Ani who came from behind and hugged me.

"You too, are very steady" again praised him and we hugged while walking into the dressing room.

Only the 3 group winners and 2 best runners-up will explore the out-of-town match against the underdog tarkam. It was also the first competition for football teams across the city.

Coach Alam once said that the national team coach would take to the field directly and disguise as a spectator to get superior seeds from every village and city. Then polished a little bit to be good to play into the national team.

The atmosphere in the dressing room was very rowdy with the uforia of our tarkam team's victory. Everyone cheered and was happy with the result.

"Listen to the kids for a minute" Coach Jaka told us all. Instantly everyone fell silent and sat down to notice what Coach Jaka was going to talk about.

"I am very grateful for your good and good cooperation to get the victory" he said with a smile.

"Yeyyyyyy" Everyone cheered happily

"And I'm also disappointed in you guys, because you were negotiating with one of your team mates, Keyla" I looked down sluggishly when I remembered the bullying.

"Now that you've seen that Keyla has done the hard work of getting a kemengan, he's trying to stay here. Keyla is indeed a player from outside the village but he has his soul in this team" His words made my face look back at Coach Jaka

"Keyla, keyla, keyla"

*prok, prok, prok*

"Keyla, keyla, keyla" colleagues cheered my name. Though I'm nobody here, I'm just an ordinary player who has a strong soul to defend the place I stepped on.

"Keyla, come here" Coach Jaka called me to stand next to him.

"Take out the words you want to say to the friends who have underestimated you earlier. I hope you're wise to say it" Coach Jaka gave me a chance, actually I'm not angry with them.

I think great players will grow out of criticism. I will learn through this criticism. Even I can also hold the curse so that my spirit becomes increased.

"Ijin Coach, I have a lot to say to all of them" Taking a deep breath and exhaling loudly to calm down while talking to them.

My eyes occasionally stared at them consecutively. Recalling the insults of those who wanted me out of this team. But now I am grateful to be able to prove it.