After successfully passing the first round of the playoffs with a 3-2 aggregate win over their opponents, Go Ahead Eagles are preparing for the next challenge.
In the second round, they will face De Graafschap, who advanced after winning 3-2 on aggregate against FC Den Bosch.
This match will determine who gets the promotion ticket to Eredivisie.
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Over the following week, Arghana trained hard, trying to forget the "magical moment" that had helped him previously.
He knew that the more he relied on it, the harder it would be for him to improve his performance genuinely.
However, the effects of his training couldn't even reach a point where he could improve his focus like he did during his previous solo training.
This doesn't mean that Arghana didn't want to train hard to his physical limits, like he usually did in his solo sessions, but this time, there was a new problem— the coaching staff became stricter in monitoring the players' physical condition.
They emphasized that all players must remain fit for the remaining playoff matches.
Between training sessions, Arghana began to reflect on the last match. Why didn't that "moment" appear?
"Why?" he thought. "Is it because I'm not that tired?"
Arghana always believed that the moment came when he was exhausted.
In his solo training sessions, he found that when his body reached its physical limits, he could focus more.
However, even in that state, he could never reach the same level of focus as during the match.
Every night after training, Arghana continued his habit of watching video clips of famous players.
But this time, there was a difference. His attempts to mimic Cristiano Ronaldo had to be put on hold.
Some of his teammates started mocking his habits, thinking it was excessive.
Even the coaching staff didn't fully support this method, believing that mimicking another player's style didn't always help improve his own performance.
Arghana began to feel uncertain.
If he couldn't mimic other players and couldn't rely on that "moment," how could he improve?
That answer was still elusive.
===
Match day arrived for the second round of the playoffs.
The atmosphere at De Adelaarshorst Stadium was intense. Thousands of home supporters filled the stands, holding high hopes that Go Ahead Eagles could go further.
Coach Eric Ten Haag made few changes to his lineup.
He continued to rely on the sharp attacking line and quick wing play to pressurize the opponent's defense from the first minute.
On the other hand, De Graafschap came with high spirits.
They knew Go Ahead Eagles was a tough opponent, but they were also confident after narrowly beating FC Den Bosch.
Coach Pieter Huistra emphasized midfield cohesion and defensive discipline, knowing how dangerous the home team's counter-attacks were.
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The first half whistle blew, and the match immediately went into a high tempo.
Go Ahead Eagles took the initiative to attack first, relying on quick, short passes to break down the opponent's defense.
Coach Eric Ten Haag pulled Marnix Kolder out of the starting lineup but still didn't field Arghana from the start. Instead, he chose Xander Houtkoop to start the match.
The number of spectators at De Adelaarshorst was slightly higher than the previous home game.
Supporters from the local community came to support the team, hoping Go Ahead Eagles could work some magic and earn promotion in these four playoff matches!
Perhaps due to overconfidence or a strong desire to attack, Go Ahead Eagles conceded first.
De Graafschap took advantage of a gap in the defense and scored a quick counter-attack goal in the 22nd minute!
Conceding a goal made Eric Ten Haag uneasy.
He clapped his hands continuously from the sidelines to fire up the players and urged them to play more aggressively.
Go Ahead Eagles' hard work paid off in the 39th minute when Lion Kaak managed to head in a cross from Quincy Promes into the goal! The score was now tied!
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In the second half, Go Ahead Eagles continued to press De Graafschap's defense.
However, Sjoerd Overgoor, who had started the match, didn't perform well.
Eric Ten Haag decided to bring Arghana in earlier than expected.
When the match reached the 60th minute and Arghana was preparing for his warm-up, loud cheers came from the stands.
Everyone knew that the young striker from Indonesia had helped the team score in the last five matches!
Although he wasn't as strong or complete as Xander Houtkoop, he had already shown courage when the team needed him most.
Now, the supporters were ready to back him up fully.
As Arghana was listening to assistant coach Dennis Demmers' instructions before entering the field, the situation in the match changed drastically.
De Graafschap launched another quick counter-attack, breaking through Go Ahead Eagles' defense.
Cendrino Misidjan from Go Ahead Eagles tried to chase down and tackle in the penalty box.
However, he ended up fouling De Graafschap's main striker!
The referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot and, without hesitation, gave Cendrino Misidjan a red card!
The supporters at De Adelaarshorst erupted in protests.
"Why a red card? Wasn't a penalty enough?!"
Arghana saw Dennis Demmers' surprised expression and then looked toward Coach Eric Ten Haag.
Would he still bring him into the match?
However, Eric Ten Haag remained calm and shouted to Dennis Demmers:
"Put him in now!
"Regardless of the outcome of the penalty, Go Ahead Eagles still needs a goal to catch up.
So, the decision to bring in Arghana couldn't be delayed.
Cendrino Misidjan left the field, while Arghana replaced Sjoerd Overgoor.
Now, Go Ahead Eagles had to play with 10 men.
===
If there was any good news, it was that De Graafschap's main striker had been injured due to Cendrino Misidjan's tackle, forcing them to make a substitution, bringing in a midfielder.
Arghana stood at the edge of the penalty box, ready to help defend in case of a rebound.
However, De Graafschap's penalty taker successfully sent the ball to the bottom right corner of the goal!
Go Ahead Eagles were now behind 1-2 at home.
Playing with 10 men and trailing was certainly a heavy challenge.
But Arghana didn't give up.
After entering the field, he immediately started running actively, pressing, defending, and supporting the attack.
Despite Go Ahead Eagles losing a player, Arghana's presence still allowed them to put pressure on De Graafschap!
Seeing this extraordinary fighting spirit, Eric Ten Haag began to regret his decision not to start Arghana from the beginning.
However, De Graafschap, now playing more defensively, remained hard to break down.
Go Ahead Eagles' attacks were repeatedly thwarted, and crosses into the penalty box didn't lead to any results.
Time kept ticking, and the supporters grew anxious.
Eric Ten Haag paced the sidelines, showing his nervousness.
===
In the 87th minute,
Go Ahead Eagles got another opportunity from the right side.
Quincy Promes sent a cross into the left side of the penalty box.
Arghana, always moving actively, was in the right position and ran to meet the ball with a header!
The ball he headed went toward the center of the goal, and Xander Houtkoop, with his sharp instincts, immediately reacted and headed the ball into the De Graafschap goal!
GOAL!
Go Ahead Eagles had finally equalized!
Eric Ten Haag clenched his fist passionately and urged his team to quickly take the ball and continue the match.
As he ran back to the center of the field, Xander Houtkoop high-fived and patted Arghana.
"Great header!" he said with a smile.
But only Arghana knew that his original intention was to head the ball directly toward the goal, but the ball curved and ended up as an assist!
But there was no time to think about that.
After the kick-off, Go Ahead Eagles quickly went back on the attack.
The home supporters gave their full backing with chants that echoed throughout De Adelaarshorst Stadium.
Unfortunately, until the final whistle blew, the score remained unchanged.
2-2.
Go Ahead Eagles failed to win their home match against De Graafschap!
This result could hinder their chances of earning promotion, especially since they conceded two goals at home.
To stay safe, Go Ahead Eagles must win when they visit De Graafschap's home next week.
Even though his last two appearances as a substitute had not resulted in a win or a goal, Arghana still felt confident.
At least today, he managed to provide an assist that helped the team score a goal.
After the match, Eric Ten Haag patted his shoulder and gave him praise.
Without the "magic" that had helped him this time, Arghana realized that the previous opportunity had already been enough to secure him a professional contract.
After all, he was still grateful for the magical moments that had assisted him.
Though they appeared and disappeared suddenly, he quietly said goodbye to them in his heart.
Now, he had to prove himself!