The Ball Behind the Love of the Court
16. School match

Not long after, the training was over. All the players and coaches rushed home. When I thought the field was empty and there was only David there, this small step ran up to him.

"David" I said as I patted his back, busy cleaning his shoes.

"Eh key, just ngaggetin you" said

"I want a story"

"What news? "

"About the ball game" I replied with a proud smile.

David sat down and listened and listened to everything that came out of my mouth. He listened carefully, as if he did not want to miss a word about what I explained. His face was focused on looking at me who was talking about the match.

I told him about a game at school that was done for entertainment after doing the final exam. The match that I accidentally played because one of my friends Niko was hit by an opponent's tackle that made his leg sprain.

The match that initially made it a bit difficult to follow the tempo of the game to make the team concede and make the same position as the opposing team. I also told him about the spirit David gave and the encouragement for the match.

I felt a little desperate for making a mistake. Instantly I became depressed until I finally tried to get up and could win the game because of the assist I gave.

"Crazy great key, when it's the beginning you feel the grass of the field but already can provide assists" Small applause that David gave and words of congratulations. I felt the small appreciation David gave me.

"But tomorrow I want to fight again" David's gaze drew closer to my face. He looked as if he wanted to say something and then he kept his eyes away.

"You play again?, oh yes you play in which position key? " Ask David.

"At left-back"

I told you that I got into the left-back position. Once again David gives knowledge about the duties of the defender at the time of the game. The defender not only keeps the back defense as well but he must also be able to help the forward attack to provide beautiful ball passes and assists that benefit the team.

However, if the attack from the team loses, then you must be vigilant on guarding, and the defender must do his own ingenuity to take the ball when the opposing team is attacking and do not make a foul that can harm yourself or the team.

David also said that I must have a fast run in order to cover the counterattack that the opponent did quickly. It is done to be aware of strikers from opponents who have a run at high speed. So that I can prevent him from getting close to the final box.

"Oh so it is" nodded his head as a sign of understanding the explanation David gave.

"But you have to remember, if someday you play and have a coach then you have to do according to the instructions of the coach who you think is right. But if you think you're still not satisfied then you have to take another decision to show the coach that you can try something new"

A long enough explanation made my mouth gap. But a fair amount of knowledge again at least I can use for tomorrow's and upcoming matches.

"Don't you take the ball and the shoes?" I stared at my empty hand without a ball and shoes.

"Hehehe, no, because I just want to talk to you" I casually answered David's question.

"But key, you have to hone your talent and train tirelessly in order to get a satisfactory result" David's hand flicked my forehead violently like a little annoyed at me but could not be revealed.

Thought I was floating back, it turns out there's a point in David saying that I should always practice. Because if you want to get a sharp knife eat must often be sharpened not often left and sharpened once.

In the game yesterday run I was also not tight at all and still feel tired, even the mastery of the ball is still sometimes detached and passing the ball is sometimes not accurate. So I had to train harder to get a satisfactory result.

Although the matches that are currently conducted are only ordinary race games at school. But at least I have a lot to fix. Feeling complacent is not good, because everyone has to learn and keep learning to get through some great new ones.

"Yes too vid, okay now I want to warm up and run"

"Jaudah let's warm up first" I immediately stood up to warm up led by David.

Next I ran around the pitch and David was watching on the sidelines like a coach. After that try some warm-ups by jumping and doing skil movements without the ball.

Until dusk came back and we ended the training today. Then David and I went home as usual on David's paddle bike. The two of us huddled together and I stopped at the village intersection and David rushed home.

"Be careful on the road vid"

"Ready Key" these words never forget when I part with David at a crossroads. Like being a trademark to remind David to be careful when going home.

When I entered the house, I tried to recall the words of David. Then I wrote it down in a piece of paper and it was taped to the wall.

****

The defender must run fast

Defenders must keep the defense at the back

Defender must do a sweep without violation

The defender must assist the attack by passing the ball accurately

Defenders must try execution with intelligence and dare to try new things

The most important thing is not to blunder and make mistakes

The most important thing is that the team has to win.

****

"Done" I said and stood staring at the paper I had stuck on the wall.

"Beautiful too" I muttered to myself

After that I rushed to take a shower and rest to gather stamina and compete in tomorrow.

I woke up earlier this morning than a chicken. Cleanse yourself, worship, cook, then exercise. Calculate the warm-up before the match. Running small in the yard then try the skil dribbling well and correctly so that the ball does not come off easily at my feet.

After that try to bounce the ball on the wall to test the focus in controlling the ball. A few minutes later, I cleaned myself up. Then pack and prepare by wearing sports clothes.

Blinking one eye as if giving a sign to the mirror that I am ready to face today. I think this match will be a start to hone the skills that David taught. With a sense of passion I rushed to go to school.

"Keyy, wait" A familiar voice called out to me. My body turned around and looked for the whereabouts of the voice. It turned out that it was Bu Yanti who came home to pick up her lost merchandise.

"Mother" I walked up to her. From the moment mom left me, my mother's call was already yelling at Bu Yanti. Because he always looked out for me and always cared about me. Bu Yanti also considers me her own son. And is my real mother's replacement at the moment.

Sometimes he gives me pocket money, but I refuse it because I don't want to trouble Bu Yanti. But by the time Bu Yanti gave me the rice pecel, I couldn't resist it. In addition to the delicious pecel and Bu Yanti will also be angry if the rice is rejected by me. So inevitably I'll take that rice.

"It's pecel for provisions"

"Ready mom, thank you very much"

"Together with my son" she said as her own mother and son.

"Key left first, ma'am"

"Okay my son" My hand took Bu Yanti's hand to shake hands and say goodbye to go to school.

Next I set off with a run as a normal warm-up. So that later during the game I do not look so tired and lost when running chasing the ball or keeping the defense in the back line. Because I am ready and ready now.

The match starts at 07:30. Our team played in the second wave after the match of the 7B class against the 8C class. So I can prepare with a little warm-up with friends. Dendi as the team captain gave direction to the scheme to be carried out during the game.

The scheme was still the same as the 2,3,2 formation. I remain at left-back and work with Geri as right-back. After everything has understood what Dandi explained, we did a small warm-up again while looking at the match presented by other classes competing at this time.

A pretty good game to enjoy. Currently 8C is superior in terms of ball possession. Almost 78% of the ball is on an 8C team. Nice and very slick, like a professional game. They play consistently from foot to foot without doing long bales or long kicks forward.

Their tactics were also good until in the 5th minute they produced a goal.the score while mastered by the 8C team. Not long after a few minutes the goal came back. Until the match finished the 8C team managed to beat the 7B team with a landslide score of 6-0.

"crazy, what kind of score is that. And a very pretty goal" I murmured inwardly as I clapped a small hand at it. A beautiful game that fascinated the eyes.

Our team is also ready to enter the field. Ari who was in the field had prepared a drink purchased using cash. There is also Yuri and other friends who provide drinking water. It turned out to be very cool from this match even though it was only a match between classes.

The 9D-class team has entered the field and is followed by our 7A class. All cheered loudly and no less crowded than the previous audience. When I saw the 9D view already showed songong face. Their gazes underestimated our team and it was as if everything was on me because of the women themselves who were on the football team.

\*prittt\*the initial whistle of the match is already sounded. The ball is on our team. Passing foot by foot and take advantage of the time and opportunity to dismantle the opponent's defense. At first our team made long-range passes, it made the striker tired quickly.

Our team often loses the ball. Some chances were done by the opposing team but me and geri tried to prevent him from entering the penalty box. Some of the players also helped our defence at the back. Geri and I could not keep up with them because the opposing team continued to attack and attack.

But the sweep I gave always thwarted their attempts to seize the opportunity. Until in the end in the final minutes of the match to one team we conceded because of the blunder done geri. So that the opposing team can take advantage of the opportunity and produce a gola. Our team was 1-0 down. Until the long whistle of the first half sounded.

"We have 5 minutes to change tactics, so take advantage now and we have to unite" said Dandi, the captain who burned the spirit of the players.

"Why are you bowing your head, there is still 15 minutes to take advantage of it and change position" I cried out, causing them to re-enforce their eyes.

"Oh yes Dandi, I suggest we play football from foot to foot because I think using long-range passes is quite tiring for our striker. We often lose the ball. So this time I suggested using short-pass tactics" I said in high spirits

"You said key, I agreed" said Dandi and was followed by our team. Everyone agrees with my advice. We'll try in the 2nd round.

"Jaudah let's get excited, the break time is up let's counterattack the opposing team" We all immediately rushed towards the field and formed the same formation but in a different way.

\*prittt\* the match-up whistle to the 2nd round has already started. We carried out an attack scheme in accordance with the agreement earlier. I also tried to dare to run the ball and do tactics from foot to foot so as to make the opponent's defense a bit of hassle.

I used their team's mid-field to penetrate the defense and enter the white box with the skil trick I had. Then my gaze saw doni who moved without the ball in front of the goal.

~~~ CONNECT ~~~