The Ball Behind the Love of the Court
38. School Troubles

If there was still me, then I wouldn't let them stand free and kick the ball into the goal. With all my might I tried to hold him back. Falling awake I prevented and kept running to get the ball and pass it forward. The clean jersey is now dirty mixed with mud because the field has been rained out.

"Keep up the key, up" shouted coach Alam at the edge of the field adding to my spirit. I was speeding up my run to get closer to the opponent's defense.

Our fight was not in vain, in the 31st minute we managed to score and score while 1-0 victory for our team. The goal resulted from a kick that was perfectly glued into the goal by Mega. And I was the one who provided the assist for Mega. We did a celebration of gratitude and shouted in spirit on the bench.

"Gol, goal, goal horeeee" Shouts of the crowd can also fill the match field this time.

When celebrating the victory coach Alam was busy receiving calls, then his face turned grim even though we made a goal and changed the score temporarily. I don't know who's calling and I don't know what's being said until that face gets tangled.

Not long after the goals that were created before. Suddenly in the 35th minute I was replaced by Ana. There was no wind and no rain, I felt surprised even though the game I gave was completely good according to its construction. I don't understand why it can be replaced, but I don't think my game is so bad on the field.

"Woyyyy,,, huhuhuhuuuu" The cheers get more crowded when the audience knows that I'm out and replaced by Ana.

I can't do anything just duck and get a little upset. Glanced at Ana and she seemed to signify that I was losing. A sly smile from his lips said everything. Even he didn't want to shake hands with me when he wanted to get into the field. Shake hands with the Nature Coach, but his eyes hold me sharp in a sad look. There was a signal he wanted to say but it didn't arrive.

"Key, your spirit is great" a nice welcome from a teammate who sat on the bench.

I tried to sit on the bench and watch the game. Just after I was out, the game was chaotic until the opposing team continued to attack and they produced a goal back to our goal in the 38th minute.

"Ohhh, why can" I upset while.pulling my own hair.

All our supporters cheered an upset over conceding in our goal. I just kept quiet and kept calm. Tense face I stretched to look a smile to encourage colleagues in the middle of the green field.

"Woyyy spirit, you guys are the best you can be" No matter what happens, concentration should not be saggy.

The game continues to be shown from each team. My eyes stared at the Nature coach. The changes are shown when I play and become a backup at the moment. Coach Alam became a lot silent giving no instructions as I sat on the bench.

The faces are mixed with annoyance, sadness and sadness that are shown to be one. I don't know where I read his face first. Because I think all mingled in his gaze which now began to dim and his lips slightly mute.

Until the whistle of the first half ended, the score was still the same draw which was 1-1. The facial sharpness was a bit grim from the rest of the players. Even the face of the Nature coach was also a little grim and uncharacteristic.

"I ask you to focus, I hope you play well according to the responsibilities of each retainer. Winning is honor but losing with respect is a lord of respect. I hope you play with your heart"

"Each coach"

Unlike usual advice or direction from a coach like this Nature. Victory, defeat or honor. I still don't understand what he means. Usually he always says we have to play hard and we have to win. Why fight desperately for victory. But in contrast to the direction this time, it was completely different.

15 Minutes of rest is over. We all rushed to the field for the match. Some core players are also reserved. I was thinking maybe this time it was planned to be able to do the game to the final.

But it seems like something strange, as some of the core players were replaced because some were storing energy for the next game. They were replaced in the second half. But me? Why it should be replaced in the first half and in the minutes after the goal of the assists I gave. All can only wander in my worried mind. I could only shut up and watch the game in the second half.

*prittt* the second round has started. My mind is no longer focused on the match. My mind flew and was still wondering about the decision taken by the Nature coach. I don't understand what else to do. But for sure just sit on the bench and keep quiet enjoying the game at the moment.

The game has started, attack after attack by the opponent makes our team very troubled with the attack. Some kicks from the opposing team can still be patted by the goalkeeper. But attack after attack yielded very satisfying results. The opposing team takes a kick on target to produce a goal.

"Heyy.. focus keep not saggy" The shout was mixed with annoyance. This time the nature coach could not stay silent due to the repeated mistakes of our team.

Goal after goal they did make the score 4-1. Our team lost heavily until the second-half whistle was over. All the players were crying because they failed to get into the final. While some of our supporters are cheering the spirit of someone who cheers cruelly on the player or coach nature.

"Coach nature out"

"Nature coach doesn't think"

"Community's grandfather"

"Key stay"

"Ana out"

I don't understand this commotion. They were so noisy that we had to go to the dressing room. I try to calm down the players who are crying for failing to get into the final.

"Calm down everyone, we still have a chance to win third place. This defeat is not the end of everything so let's raise your heads. Show the world that you can"

I kept shouting to encourage them all. No one is tired of approaching one by one the sad players. Some feel they fail and make mistakes to concede goals from opponents.

Some blame each other, Ana. He always blames others without thinking about what he did on the field. Because he defense is getting destroyed when the passing he gave the wrong pass and gave the ball free to the opponent to produce a very free kick without any escort from anyone.

"There you can take it, we all fight together.The mistake happens from yourself then correct yourself and do not defeat" My words annoyedly made Ana who was daritadi blabbering indistinctly instantly speechless.

In the game we are all team. Nothing is wrong and nothing is right. No one loses and no one is great. Because everything is built in one roof, that is the roof of football.

Usually the dressing room is filled with happiness and laughter. But this time everyone was crying. I am also sad, but it is not good to drag on because there are still 3 days to train well and do a match to win the 3rd champion.

The players prepare to go home on the bus that has been provided. And I'm still waiting for coach Alam out of the dressing room. I wanted to ask him why he had to replace me when I was eager to show a good game in order to get the win.

"Coach, I'm sorry I wanted to ask" said I who stopped coach Alam. He turned his back and faced forward. Suddenly his body flipped and looked at me.

"I'm sorry, you're still the best key"

"But coach, what's the max. I want a long explanation coach"

"No Key, you have to keep fighting ya"

I don't understand what coach Alam says. Without another word he left me. I also rushed to not miss the bus.

Arriving at school, he there have been many students who demoed the decision taken by coach Alam because he had replaced me when the performance I gave was quite good, then I went out and everything changed.

Not only was the audience disappointed, but I was also the one who was disappointed with everything. Like the demo alone, many banners say that coach Alam is out. If the nature coach is out, then who will replace him. I think he's still the best, if only the Nature coach got out of that person's pressure. Maybe his life will calm down without having to mix hands with the dirty things from the man.

Too many people expressed their opinions in the school.We the team and coach of Nature can only stay silent in the hall that is locked. Some players are silent because of the bad feeling experienced by swallowing defeat..

"You are sad, we still have a chance to win 3. You guys are the best players, let's raise your heads and show that coach Alam can lead us to victory" I shouted unhappily inside the hall.

Everyone raised their heads together. His eyes were sharp looking at me who just kept shouting with words of spirit. Even the Nature coach also stood up to give smangat to them.

"I promise to take you for the champions, and I will also promise if I lose later I am the first one in charge and have to come out. So I'm sure that you guys are going to show greatness to keep this team's good name" Coach nature is burning our spirits even more.

I am happy because everyone has dared to raise his head and it is not good that the retainer must bow in lethargy just because of defeat. Today's defeat is an honorable defeat because it is upheld humanity between opponents.

"How about this, what should I do? " Say the headmaster who also panicked because of the riots.

"Sorry sir, it's my responsibility so I'm going to get this done. Please be calm sir" said coach Alam to the principal who began pacing thinking about the noise.

Coach Alam tries to tell all the students who are crumbling outside of school. With a great sense of courage and responsibility his soul opened his voice. He admitted that the decision he took and everything happened because of his fault.

He will be responsible for everything that happens. If in the last game we can win the 3rd champion then he succeeded but if he loses then he will resign with a chest of air. Whatever happens he will fight once again until the last blood point.

Because of his words, all the students calmed down. They returned to their respective places and left the crowd. The players were ready to rush home. Even this time I went home on a bus.

Tomorrow at school it's back in the morning. Many posters were affixed stating that coach Alam should come out as the coach of the school team. I growled at this poster and tried to clear the name of Coach Alam.

My face was grim early in the morning. They've made such a cruel thing to coach Nature I wouldn't let it. When I wanted to go to class, I passed the principal's room and saw the Nature coach talking to the principal.

"I promise you, sir, if in the last game I lose then I'll leave here"

"Good if so, I will accept your decision as long as our school becomes conducive again"

\*tok, tok\*

"Ijin in sir"

"Yes key, what's wrong?" I tried to gather all my intentions and tried to talk to the principal.

"Ijin sir, coach Alam is not fit to leave this school. Because he has given the best training so we can get into the semi-finals. This is the most important history of our team. Because never have we stepped into a further game before" I tried to explain a little bit of what I could.

"You're right, key, but it's his decision. And because he's all fucked up" said the principal to me.

I thought for a moment, I don't know what else I would do to convince the principal that Coach Alam was the best coach I had so far. I want to say that coach Alam has pressure but my lips are turned upside down because I can't speak.

~~~~ CONNECT ~~~~