A light rain fell over the city of Utrecht that morning. Gray clouds hung low over the Sportcomplex Zoudenbalch, as if suppressing the atmosphere that had been tense since the players arrived. Inside the U18 locker room, it was silent. Only the sound of boots zipping and the nervous breathing of the rookies was heard.
Richard sat in locker number 14, staring at the red-and-white jersey with ARDIANSYAH written on the back. His heart was pounding.
This wasn't training.
This wasn't a training match.
This was his first official match in Europe.
Aquila had sent a text message:
"Show them what an Indonesian striker can do."
He took a deep breath.
"Ready?" Mateo asked from beside him.
Richard smiled faintly. "I was born for this."
•••
1. Team Talk — De Vries' Voice Shakes the Room
Coach De Vries stood in front of the tactics board. His face was stern, but his eyes were full of confidence.
"AZ Alkmaar play a high press. They're fast, aggressive, and ruthless. If you're weak, they'll smell fear from 30 meters away."
The man looked at each player in turn.
"But we're no ordinary team. Utrecht plays with heart. And today… I want you to die on the pitch for this badge."
He pointed to the Utrecht logo on his chest.
Then he took a long look at Richard.
"Our striker today—a new kid. But I trust him. He's proven himself more than enough during Hell Week."
The other players looked at Richard. Some patted him on the shoulder. Jeroen even smiled sarcastically, but this time it wasn't mocking—more like acknowledgment.
De Vries raised his hand.
"Everyone stand."
The players rose in unison.
"This is your debut for some of you. This is your chance to write your own career history. And Richard…"
Richard looked at the coach.
"Welcome to real Dutch football."
•••
2. Pitch Entry: A Small But Eerie Uproar
Even though it was an academy match, hundreds of spectators were already standing on the sidelines—parents of players, academy staff, a few local scouts, and young Utrecht supporters.
As soon as the U18 team emerged from the small tunnel, cheers rang out.
"Utrecht! Utrecht!"
Richard breathed in the cool air, scented with wet grass.
He stood on the halfway line as match protocol began.
"Kickoff in 30 seconds!" shouted the referee.
Mateo approached. "Calm down, Hermano. Play like training. But more ruthless."
Richard nodded. "I'm ready."
•••
3. Kickoff — AZ Pressure Comes in Like a Tsunami
Utrecht kicked the ball.
And sure enough—AZ immediately pressed like wild dogs.
Two players chased Utrecht's pivot.
One player locked down the center forward.
Richard, who came down to meet the ball, was immediately tagged by a tall defender.
"Hey Asia boy, try running!" he taunted.
Richard wasn't tempted.
The ball came to him.
He blocked it with his back—
The defender pushed hard.
Richard remained standing.
With a quick turn, he sent the ball to the right wing.
Mateo shouted, "Nice hold-up!"
But AZ was quick to return.
The tempo of the match was high.
The ball barely stopped moving.
Richard realized—this was a different level, not like yesterday's training.
•••
4. First Chance—Almost a Goal
12th minute.
Utrecht launched a quick counterattack.
Kim, the left winger, cut through and played a through ball to Richard.
Richard ran like an arrow.
The defender chased him.
The goalkeeper advanced.
Richard kicked…
DUP!!
The ball hit the left post.
The crowd roared.
Richard screamed in frustration. A centimeter further to the right, and it was a goal.
De Vries shouted from the sidelines,
"Keep going! Don't hesitate!"
•••
5. Mental Battle — AZ Tries to Shake Him Up
The AZ defender approached him during a dead ball.
"Close, Indonesia. But you won't get a second chance."
Richard glared. "We'll see."
The defender laughed loudly, as if in disdain.
But Richard's gaze didn't waver one bit.
•••
6. Utrecht Tactics Change — Richard Becomes the Focus of the Attack
After 25 minutes, Coach De Vries called for a pivot and a winger.
"Use Richard as the pivot point. He's stronger than their defenders. Long balls are measured. Don't force short build-ups."
This meant
all attacking balls were directed to Richard.
As soon as the game restarted, CB Utrecht sent long balls.
Richard jumps—
Heads the ball down—
Mateo receives it—
Shot!
Unfortunately, it's still caught by the keeper.
"Good, good, good!" De Vries shouts.
The tempo of the match heats up.
•••
7. Fatal Mistake — Utrecht Concedes
34th minute.
AZ capitalizes on Utrecht's fullback's inattention.
High cross.
The AZ striker heads in.
0 - 1
The home crowd hisses in disappointment.
Richard grits his teeth.
Not today.
Not on his debut.
Mateo pats him on the shoulder.
"There's still plenty of time."
Richard nods.
"I'm not going to leave the field defeated."
•••
8. Decisive Moment — A Striker's Instinct
40th minute.
Utrecht wins a free kick from the right.
Kim took the ball.
Richard stood slightly back, observing the AZ defense.
The same defender who had taunted him earlier looked on with a sneer.
"Try to jump, Indonesia."
Richard didn't respond.
The referee blew the whistle.
Kim sent a lofted ball into the penalty area.
Richard zigzagged past a defender—
pushing his body into the small gap between the two—
and it flew.
His head met the ball with precision.
The ball bounced to the ground…
The goalkeeper was too late to react.
GOOOOOOOOL!
The crowd screamed.
A teammate bumped into him.
Mateo hugged him.
"HERMANO!! What a header!!"
Richard stood, his fists clenched, and he glared at the defender who had taunted him.
The defender fell silent.
De Vries smiled for the first time.
Score 1-1.
•••
9. Second Half — Richard Targeted by Tackles
AZ became more aggressive. Every time Richard touched the ball, two defenders pressed him.
But Richard had adapted.
Hold-up.
Spin-turn.
Flick pass.
Dummy run.
He frustrated the AZ defenders.
"Stop moving, damn it!" shouted one of them.
Richard just grinned. "Catch him if you can."
•••
10. Golden Chance — The Game-Changer?
78th minute. The score is still 1-1.
Utrecht attacks down the right.
Mateo sends a cutback.
Richard emerges from the blind side and shoots first time—
The AZ goalkeeper parries it.
The rebound falls to Richard's feet again.
Everything slows down in his eyes.
"Now."
He shoots again—
BLOCK!
The defender dives.
The ball goes out for a corner.
The crowd holds their breath.
•••
11. Corner — The Decisive Moment of a Debut
Kim prepares to take the corner.
De Vries shouts from the sidelines:
"Richard! Near post!"
Richard changed position.
Corner taken—
ball speeding—
Richard ran past the defender—
jumped—
UP!
His powerful header was headed for the near post.
The goalkeeper misstepped.
BALL IN!
GOOOOOOOOL!!!
The small stadium exploded.
Mateo hugged him until he almost fell over.
Kim screamed and patted her head.