The Dreamers
Ripe preparation
Hiro's head looked up after he finished tying his shoes. The long-lost chirping of birds is now back in Hiro's ears. The smell of fresh grass was smelled from the training field owned by FC Heerenveen in the morning before noon.
With spirit Hiro entered the field wearing the number 9 jersey with the name Takehiro behind him. Today is the first day that Hiro has taken part in club training as well as meeting with his staff and players.
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"Good morning everyone, nice to meet you again" said the coach as all the players had gathered in a circular shape in the middle of the pitch.
Hiro tried to understand the word for word that the coach had thrown at him and the others. Hiro has learned a lot of English with Saki and also from the internet.
Over time, English has sounded like Japanese in Hiro's ears.
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"OK, I'm sure some of you must be new players recruited by management. Aren't you?" Ask the head coach.
Some players other than Hiro are indeed new players for the new season. A lot of them don't know what's on the team.
"Well, first of all, I want to introduce myself first. My name is Eduardo, I am from Portugal. I'm your coach at Heerenveen." The coach introduced himself.
Hiro and the other new signings shook hands with Eduardo before he returned to the centre of the circle to provide information on the form of training he will be using here.
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After listening carefully, Hiro frowned when at the end of his speech, Eduardo said that, "Because FC Heerenveen is a team that is.., uh, arguably weak in the Dutch League, therefore the right strategy for us is a quick counter-attack using a winger who can perfectly send a gastric pass to the Striker inside the penalty box." Eduardo.
"Reverse attack?" Thought Hiro.
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Eduardo continued if the training portion for the first week will be light enough until the second week, and in the third and fourth weeks Eduardo will solidify his tactics for the perfect game FC Heerenveen.
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"Alright, now you will start by running around the field five times as a warm-up" Eduardo said.
And after that, the players disperse and start running with a random row to surround the field five times.
While running around the field, Hiro heard several players around him grumbling. From their vague conversation, Hiro was able to hear something interesting.
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"Huhh., I think this season will be heavy like the previous seasons." Speak to a player of high stature with a fine beard that covers the side to the bottom of the face. Maybe this player is one of the senior players here. The players around him look close to that player.
Hiro did not care about the conversation of those players. Hiro still lowered his head while running around the field.
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Time is also slow.
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Until the afternoon, Hiro did not speak to his colleagues at all. Just the tiredness and sweat he got on the first day of this exercise. Sometimes Hiro just smiled and nodded his head slowly when Eduardo appreciated the results of his training today.
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Before nightfall, Hiro and all FC Heerenveen players were given a long break from Eduardo. According to Eduardo, the players still need a lot of practice considering their physical condition that decreases during the break of the competition season.
"Today I won't let you die in the field. But from tomorrow, I'll give you physical training like a soldier if you need to." The Portuguese coach. "Tonight you can go home, and prepare everything for our future exercises." Close Eduardo.
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Hiro was changing clothes in the dressing room when he met one of the players he had noticed before. Yes, a player who had said that this season will be a tough season like the previous seasons. Hiro doesn't know his name yet, just like the other players.
Inside the dressing room, there were only four people. Hiro, Eduardo and his assistant, and that player. But moments later Eduardo and his assistant left the dressing room leaving two men behind.
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The quiet atmosphere of the room made Hiro feel that someone should start the conversation. But Hiro is not sure he should talk to this player. "He looks like a hard person to talk to" thought Hiro.
But if Hiro dares to talk and start a friendship with this senior player, it feels like he will help him a lot.
Finally after thinking about all the things deep in his mind, Hiro greeted the player. "Hey,"
The player remained unmoved. He was busy putting his things in his bag.
Hiro tried again. "Eee, excuse me. My name is Miyoko, Takehiro,"
Still no reaction. Hiro started to regret that he started the conversation with the player. But Hiro did not want to be embarrassed for being ignored.
"I just came to this team. So., I beg you to cooperate one season," said Hiro resignedly waiting for answers. He no longer cares about the player wanting to respond or not.
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Currently Hiro has also finished cleaning the goods and wants to go home soon. But when Hiro wanted to get out of the room, a voice came from inside the room. The same voice from the player he heard this morning.
"Where did you come from?" Ask the player
Hiro stopped and turned his head when he heard the question. "Japan" replied Hiro.
The player nodded slowly, "Oh so yeah. Then welcome to Holland, may you be here."
Hiro leaned against the open door, as it did not leave the room. "Yes, hopefully,"
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"Oh, yes, since you've introduced yourself, I'll do it too. So my name is Matthew, from Australia."
"Ah, so you're also from outside Europe huh? Since when are you here?" Ask Hiro. He began to be interested in talks with Matthew because of his fellow players coming from afar.
"Yes, I've been in Holland for five years. I am now 32 years old. So I'm a senior player here, but don't look at me any other way. I don't care about juniors and seniors. Everything has to be professional, right? " See Matthew said with a slight smile.
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Finally Hiro and Matthew chatted for a while before they left the training ground that night. They tell each other about their personal experiences and struggles to become professional footballers.
"Well, you're a tough kid, Hiro" Matthew said after hearing the story from Hiro's life experience.
"You're Matt, too, staying at your best even as you get older, hehe,"
"Yes that's it. We must keep trying to give our best even though my goal is no longer the same as you who are young," Matthew said as he held his bag.
"Well then, I'll see you tomorrow at rehearsal."
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Hiro did not expect that he would make friends on his first day. Hiro was able to return home with a sense of relief after being tired all day.
Starting tomorrow, Hiro, Matthew and the rest of the players will start intensive training before the league returns in less than a month.