The next day, the sky over Nailsworth was clear, with the sun shyly peeking through the thin clouds. Arief arrived at the local football field earlier than usual. The cool morning air greeted him with the scent of wet grass.
The news of an upcoming small tournament ignited Arief's enthusiasm. It wasn't just about the match, but about opening up new opportunities for himself and his team. He knew very well that to prove themselves, they needed more than just technical skills, but also unity and mental strength.
That day's training was full of enthusiasm. Arief combined physical training, technique, and strategy that he had learned while working with Spartak Moscow and his experience at Leyton. He tried to get to know the players' characters more deeply, adjusting his training methods so that each individual could develop.
During training, laughter could still be heard, reminding everyone that football is not just about the intensity of the struggle, but also the joy that comes from togetherness. Arief wrote a message to his family, sending some photos and videos of the training session with a short note: "This is just the beginning; you are always in my heart."
One of Arief's biggest challenges was organising a flexible training schedule, given that many players had to divide their time between work and college. However, determined to succeed, they tried to give their best.
During training, a middle-aged man named Mr Jenkins, a local football figure and potential sponsor, arrived. He was interested in Arief's training style and saw great potential in the team that was being built.
"You have an interesting vision, Arief," said Mr. Jenkins, sipping his hot tea. "If you can bring this team to its best performance, I am ready to help with my sponsors and network."
Hearing this, Arief felt his enthusiasm reignite. This was the golden opportunity he had been waiting for.
However, behind the scenes, other challenges loomed. Some senior players who disliked the changes and internal competition began to show attitudes that could threaten the team's harmony.
Arief must be adept at managing minor conflicts to keep the team focused and united. He is determined to be a coach who not only teaches football, but also the values of togetherness and loyalty.
As the day of the tournament draws nearer, Arief feels a mixture of nervousness and excitement. He knows that this is a new chapter in his life — a chapter where everything can change, and the dreams he often carries in his heart can begin to come true.
***
A week before the tournament, Arief feels tension hanging in the air. Training becomes more intense and focused. He knows this is the time to hone the players' mental and technical skills so they are ready to face the pressure.
In one training session, Arief tries a different approach by holding a simulated match. However, not everything goes smoothly. Some players who had long been comfortable with the old ways began to resist the changes in playing style that Arief was implementing.
Tom, the rebellious teenager, openly showed his displeasure. "Coach, why don't you just let us play as usual? This new style is complicated!" said Tom in a half-joking tone, but there was clear tension.
Arief faced that difficult moment with patience. "Tom, I know change is hard, but if we want to win, we have to dare to try new things. Remember, football isn't just about skill, but also teamwork and strategy."
On the other hand, Lisa, the assertive female captain, fully supported the change. "The coach is right. If we remain stagnant, we won't progress. We have to prove that this team can be better."
The small debate among the players reflected the true dynamics of the team—made up of people with different personalities and backgrounds, but who had to unite for a common goal.
Off the pitch, Arief also had to deal with licensing issues that stressed him out. The complicated and bureaucratic administrative process in England meant he had to go back and forth to take care of documents, adding to his mental burden.
However, there were always funny moments that kept him smiling. Once, when he was about to submit documents to the immigration office, Arief almost swapped bags with a tourist who was also carrying a football board. "Wow, if this got swapped, I might suddenly become a football player, not a coach," he thought to himself with a laugh.
The night before leaving for the tournament, Arief sat pensively watching family videos and listening to an enthusiastic voice message from Sari, "Papa, don't forget to take lots of photos, so the children at home can see how hard their father is working in England!"
Those words became fuel for his heart. He knew that whatever the outcome of the tournament, this was a new chapter he was writing, not just for his career, but for his family waiting across the ocean.
***
The day of the match finally arrived. The weather in Nailsworth was cloudy with cool air, adding to the tension among the players. Arief stood on the sidelines, looking around and observing his players who were busy warming up and preparing mentally.
Before the match began, he approached the team and gave a brief, enthusiastic pep talk.
"We are not here just to participate, but to fight with all our might. Remember, every kick is an opportunity, every pass is a hope. Play the ball with your heart, not just your feet," he said in a firm but gentle voice.
The game was intense. The opposing team was more experienced, but Arief's enthusiasm and strategy slowly began to pay off. Tom, who had previously been rebellious, was now running energetically, chasing the ball and working together with the other players.
Throughout the match, laughter and shouts echoed together—when an opportunity was missed, or when a beautiful goal was scored. Arief smiled as he watched the chaos that had once shaken the team begin to transform into a harmonious unity.
After the match, the preliminary result was a narrow, dramatic victory. The players celebrated with laughter and hugs, while Arief felt that a new chapter in his career had officially begun.
However, it wasn't long before he realised that the challenges weren't just coming from outside. Some senior players who weren't too fond of change began to show signs of discontent, creating tension that required mature policy and leadership.
On the family front, phone calls and messages kept coming in. Sari sent photos of the children holding a banner that read: "Papa the Champion!" while Dewi sent a humorous reminder: "Remember, Coach, don't just show off on the field, you have to be a good cook at dinner too, okay!"
Arief laughed to himself, feeling warm and supported by the love and support of his family, who were always there for him even though they were far away.
That night, he sat pensively on the balcony of his flat, staring at the stars in the English sky, breathing deeply and promising himself to keep fighting, to pursue his dreams not only for himself, but also for his family and the team that was now part of his life.
***
A few days after that glorious victory, the pressure within the team began to mount. The senior players, especially Jack and Mike, subtly showed resistance to Arief's methods, which they considered too "modern" and "excessive". "We're used to playing this way, why change it? This isn't a laboratory," said Mike during an intense training session.
Arief realised that his leadership as a coach was not only about technique on the field, but also about managing egos and building trust. In the changing room, he held a private meeting with Jack and Mike. Patiently, Arief listened to their complaints and shared his vision that the changes were not meant to dismantle, but to strengthen.
Meanwhile, the social climate in the small town began to change. Roy, the club owner, announced that several local sponsors had begun to take an interest in the team's progress. This presented an opportunity for funding that could help with facilities and equipment.
However, behind this opportunity lay administrative challenges that had to be faced. Arief had to prepare proposals and presentations for potential sponsors—something he had never done directly before. He practised speaking, drew up plans, and even asked Roy for help in improving his delivery to make it more convincing.
In his personal life, Arief received news from Natalia that one of her sons had suffered a minor injury in a school football match. The message made him hesitate, wanting to fly to America immediately but realising he had to focus on England. Meanwhile, Sari and Dewi continued to send enthusiastic support and a little humour to lighten the load.
The nights in Nailsworth were now filled with reflection, preparation and hard work. Arief knew that this was the real test of his dream and his great responsibility.
And amid all the challenges, he remained convinced that football was not just a game, but a bridge between hearts, cultures and families that brought everyone together.
***
The day of the sponsor presentation arrived. Arief stood in a small, simple meeting room, with several local business figures sitting and staring at him expectantly. Beside him, Roy provided the moral support he had promised.
Before starting, Arief took a deep breath and remembered the motivational words of his wives, who always supported him from afar. With a calm but confident voice, he began to outline his vision and plans for the club's development—how, with the right funding, training facilities could be improved, young players could be given opportunities, and local football could move up a class.
Questions arose, especially about how he would handle internal team issues and guarantee tangible results. Arief answered honestly, saying that the challenges were real, but he had the experience and strong commitment to build not only a great team, but a solid football family.
The discussion was warm and lively. In the end, several sponsors expressed interest and showed their intention to support the club's initial stages, giving him a breath of fresh air in this endeavour.
He immediately shared the good news via video call with his three wives, who reacted with enthusiasm, laughter and pride. "Papa, don't forget to treat us when you become a famous coach," joked Dewi with a giggle.
However, this victory also brought new, heavier responsibilities. Arief now had to ensure that all plans ran according to schedule and showed rapid progress so that the sponsors' trust would not waver.
Amidst all this, Arief received news from Natalya that his eldest child was beginning to recover from an injury, bringing a little relief and extra motivation.
Though the journey ahead was still long, with opportunities and challenges intertwined, Arief grew increasingly confident that every small step he took was part of a greater journey that would lead him and his team to the pinnacle.