NOVEL NEXT Chapter 31
*
As soon as our opponent for the quarterfinals was determined to be Japan.
We fully committed to training in preparation for the match against Japan.
The head-to-head matchup between South Korea and Japan, with a spot in the FIFA U20 World Cup on the line, had stirred up quite a buzz for a while.
However, Coach Han Gwangjong, anticipating this situation, blocked all means for the young players to access outside news.
As a result, the players were able to focus on training without feeling any pressure.
[Son Jinho expressing his determination for the match against Japan. “In the match against Japan, we mustn’t lose in rock, paper, scissors.”]
Well… I had a different role from the other players and conducted interviews with the media.
Normally, the captain would carry this responsibility, but considering I’m the one who’s been attracting the most attention on the U19 national team and am the least burdened, I ended up being the one to represent the team in interviews.
“The opponent in the quarterfinals is, as everyone knows, our eternal rival, Japan.”
Anyway, on the day before the match with Japan, Coach Han Gwangjong gathered the players in the multipurpose hall and looked at us as he began to speak.
“To be honest, aside from Jinho, Japan’s technique is superior to our national team’s.”
True to his reputation as the ‘Admiral Yi Sun-sin’ of the football world, he had a clear grasp of South Korea’s objective strength and Japan’s weaknesses.
“Should we showcase their technical football against Japan, who excels in that?”
“No!”
“Then what should we do?”
“We should play the football we excel at and target Japan’s weaknesses!”
He drew responses from the players through questions, instilling in them what they needed to do on the field.
“What kind of football do we excel at?”
“Fast counter-attacks leveraging our physicality!”
“What is Japan’s weakness?”
“They struggle against strong, aggressive pressure!”
“They are not proactive in duels!”
With the players’ responses, the coach nodded with a satisfied expression.
“Exactly! Japan has long been classified as a team with chronic weaknesses in physicality and stamina!”
Though it may change in the future, physicality was always a talked-about weakness for Japan.
“If we can replicate the training we’ve done so far exactly on the ground, our victory is practically guaranteed!”
As the coach declared victory, the expressions of the South Korean national team players began to fill with confidence, and he looked at me with a filled gaze of trust.
‘That look… Is it reminiscent of Gi-hyun Choi?’
Something about it seemed reminiscent of Gi-hyun Choi, but Coach Han Gwangjong was a figure of such capability that comparing him to Gi-hyun would be an insult, so I shook my head and pushed away the fleeting thought of Gi-hyun’s face.
“Well… it’s just that Gi-hyun has been ineffective, but he is a good person.”
*
“Ah-choo─! Who’s talking about me?”
Choi Gi-hyun sniffed and mumbled softly while burying his head back into the documents.
“Ugh… why are there so many agent folks? Offers are pouring in!”
Since coming to Germany, Choi Gi-hyun was astounded by Son Jinho’s performances.
Watching Son Jinho achieve his dreams at a rapid pace made him want to actively support him, and while he worked late hours repeatedly, he quickly wrapped up administrative tasks to ensure Jinho wouldn’t stress over his stay in Germany.
– Jinho, don’t you miss your friends in Korea?
Last time, Jinho’s expression seemed off, so he jokingly suggested they return to Korea, worried that he might be suffering from homesickness.
– No way, not changing it, no plans to change it, hurry and work!
Each time, his disciple firmly shook his head.
‘Delving too deep into someone’s personal life isn’t courteous. Let’s help him when he asks for it later.’
Choi Gi-hyun nodded.
The expression that had looked bad became brighter soon after, so it probably wasn’t a major issue.
“This guy tried to slip me money last time, didn’t he? Let’s exclude him.”
Wrapping up his random thoughts, Choi Gi-hyun quickly sorted through the agents. Some even tried to hand him money, which he promptly dismissed.
In the past, he might have accepted some and said something nice, but now, his desire to see Son Jinho succeed was overshadowing everything else.
And more importantly,
“My disciple has trusted me, so I can’t sell him out for mere pocket change.”
Choi Gi-hyun could never betray the trust of his disciple.
As he kept filtering out those who showed ineligible reasons, the huge stack of documents quickly dwindled.
“Ugh… why are there so many scam artists? There’s no talent to hand over to our Jinho.”
Looking at the reduced documents, Choi Gi-hyun shook his head. Honestly, he wished he could be Jinho’s agent, but as he observed Germany’s training system, a new dream began to emerge.
‘Who will change South Korea’s youth training system? It’s me!’
On his days off, he visited Dortmund and the training grounds of Bundesliga youth teams under 15.
He pondered how to apply the training methods he observed back in Korea.
Thus, the future of Choi Gi-hyun, who would have ended his career as a mere high school football club coach, was shifting towards becoming a football administrator.
*
On Monday, October 11.
At the Linzi Stadium in Shandong, China.
“South Korea, fighting─!!”
While the stadium wasn’t entirely filled, more spectators than expected had come to watch the match.
‘Looks like about 3000 people showed up?’
Could this be the largest crowd since my return?
As I gazed at the stands, I recalled Gyeouri’s messages.
– Gyeouri: I’m sitting in front of the TV to watch the game!
– Gyeouri: (Bear emoticon watching TV.)
– Gyeouri: It’s okay to lose, but be careful not to get injured ㅠㅠ
– Ho-woo: Yeah, hehe, I’ll be careful of injuries!
– Gyeouri: And?
– Ho-woo: I miss you, Winter ㅠㅠ
– Gyeouri: (Thumbs up cat emoji.)
– Gyeouri: I want to see you too ㅠㅠ
Imagining Gyeouri, who must be waking up early in Germany to send a support message, brought a smile to my face.
Perhaps because I received Gyeouri’s cheer.
I felt like I wouldn’t lose this match no matter what happened.
‘Since they’re getting up early to watch the match, there’s no way I can lose.’
As I renewed my resolution while watching the Japanese players prepare for kickoff.
Beep!!
Referee Abdullah Mohammed Hilal blew the whistle, signaling the start of the match.
*
[2010 AFC U19 Championship South Korea vs. Japan, the quarterfinals. The first half is about to start. The red uniforms are South Korea! The blue uniforms are Japan!]
[Yes. The losing team won’t be able to participate in next year’s FIFA U20 World Cup in Colombia, making this a crucial match. It would be great if they could calmly showcase their weapons.]
[Indeed. Just as we mentioned, the camera is catching Son Jinho, who is currently being recognized as the most promising player.]
[Son Jinho has shown a quite impressive performance in this tournament; he could be called the core of the Han Gwangjong squad.]
[Yes. He’s a player with such exceptional talent that the Korea Football Association sent him to study football in Dortmund, Germany. I’m excited to see how he performs in this match!]
[Son Jinho, having the ball, looks forward. He’s proficient in long kicks! He sends a long pass forward!]
[The ball connects with Jung Seung-ryong, who is making a run behind the defense! It’s a one-on-one chance with the goalkeeper!]
[Shoot! Ah! Unfortunately, it hits the side netting.]
[It’s unfortunate, but that was a fantastic moment. It must have sent chills down Japan’s spine.]
[That’s right. Jung Seung-ryong’s brilliant movement into the space was great, but it was Son Jinho’s precise and sharp long pass that set up that scene!]
[Yes. A very good pass with its degree of difficulty… Ah! Just as we mentioned, Son Jinho, having intercepted Japan’s pass, is sprinting forward again!]
[He showcases extremely technical dribbling! Breaking through Japan’s dense defense, he enters the penalty box!]
[Shoot! Goooal! Goooal! It’s in! The midfielder, Son Jinho, successfully scores the opening goal!!!]
[South Korea begins to take the lead against Japan!!]
[Wow! This player is really composed! Why aren’t they using him as a forward?!]
[I’m a bit puzzled too, but he’s such a versatile player that maybe they thought to use him as a midfielder!]
*
“Woohooooo─!!”
Having succeeded in scoring through individual ability, I immediately dashed to the corner flag to celebrate.
“Haohhhhh─!”
“Sun Jinho!! Sun Jinho!!”
“Hanguk Hwaiting! Hanguk Hwaiting!!”
I received warm cheers from the Chinese audience.
“…What’s this? Is this another world?”
Why are the Chinese cheering for us?
As someone who returned from the future to the past, I felt something strange while celebrating.
*