Dad was a Genius - Chapter 26
Only Noblemtl
My Dad Was a Genius Episode 026
A record set by Seoul in 2012.
A whopping 96 points.
This record has never been broken since.
Even during my time, there was never a time when more than 96 points were scored in the K-League.
That’s inevitable, because 44 games were played in 2012.
Since 2013, the K-League system has changed to be similar to the EPL, with the regular season consisting of 38 games.
But even so, Seoul’s 96 points was a crazy achievement.
Because Seoul in 2012 felt like the invincible Seongnam of 2003 had come back to life.
‘I’m going to completely trample Ulsan, so wait for it.’
Director Kim Sung-il spoke to me with great confidence.
He said that he would be the first to break Ulsan’s current winning streak.
A slap in the face to the manager who had a glorious year in 2012 and set the best record in K-League history.
Although the season had a rocky start, the champions’ skills were not going anywhere.
however,
[Ahh! I can’t stop it. It’s a truly terrifying attack power!!]
Director Kim Sung-il seemed unlikely to keep his promise.
[Ulsan is trampling Seoul mercilessly! Is there another team in the current K-League that shows this level of attacking power?]
[Yes, it’s a really shocking score.]
I looked at the scores of the two teams displayed on TV.
The faces of the coaches who were watching the game together on TV turned pale.
“What, what is it… … .”
“Is Seoul that helpless?”
“Even if the water level in Ulsan has risen recently, I didn’t think it would be that high… … .”
Ulsan.
Attack, attack again.
It was as if I was watching a tank corps advancing endlessly forward despite shells flying from all directions.
Approach the game with the mindset that if you concede one goal, you will score two goals, and if you concede two goals, you will score three goals to win.
[4-0! With a shocking score, Ulsan wins a big victory over last year’s champion Seoul!]
That was the current Ulsan, called the tiger of the K-League.
“What a truly terrifying attack power.”
The coaches couldn’t help but be amazed at Ulsan’s endless attacking power.
Although there was talk about Ulsan’s great firepower since the start of the season, it was not mentioned much because Cheonan’s winning streak was the talk of the town.
However, coaches who have been constantly observing and analyzing other teams’ games will all have to admit that Ulsan’s offense is currently the best in the K-League.
“But even so, it’s a shame to trample on Seoul like that.”
The deep shock lasted a long time after the game ended.
“The 4-2-3-1 tactic is all about balancing defense and attack, it’s like watching Total Soccer.”
Total Soccer.
A tactic that originated in the Netherlands, it involves everyone participating in the attack and everyone participating in the defense.
And this became the foundation of modern football, and it is no exaggeration to say that the gegenpressing tactic was also born from this total football.
However, if not careful, there was a high possibility that it would turn into neighborhood soccer where everyone just looked at the ball and chased after it, and Ulsan even focused more on offense than defense, making all players participate in the offense.
‘What makes that possible is the quality of the players.’
Usually, when that happens, the defense collapses in one counterattack, many goals are conceded, and the game naturally ends in defeat.
However, Ulsan did not lose even once in seven matches.
Even if they concede a goal, they display an extremely powerful attack with the mindset of making up for it with a goal.
If it were another team, it would have been impossible, but Ulsan’s players had high stats, so it was a tactic that was fully feasible.
[Coach. You had a huge victory against the strong team Seoul, but your next match is against Cheonan, who has achieved a miracle of 8 consecutive wins. Do you have any tactics prepared for that miracle team that might win 9 consecutive games against Incheon?]
After the game, Coach Cho Tae-il, who boasts a large build, was interviewed.
Is it because even his face is so fierce and scary despite his size?
The reporter standing next to him for the interview swallowed dryly.
[I don’t think Cheonan is a strong team.]
[Huh? Even after beating so many teams?]
[Because we haven’t met Ulsan yet. I guess we’ve just been lucky so far.]
Director Jo Tae-il continued speaking while looking at the camera with a sharp gaze.
[Our Ulsan only pursues offense. However, Cheonan only plays a pressing defense. Then, when the opportunity arises, they counterattack and score a goal. I really hate that kind of defensive football.]
Cheonan’s soccer, which is led by gegenpressing, can never be considered defensive.
As soon as the ball is stolen, Cheonan creates an attacking opportunity by deploying a pressure defense, and it is our Cheonan that storms forward.
There is no way Director Jo Tae-il wouldn’t know that.
But still, saying something like that,
‘Are you provoking me?’
Coach Cho Tae-il has been in charge of Ulsan since the latter half of last season.
Despite taking over late in the season after the manager was sacked due to poor performance, he managed to lead Ulsan to a fairly high ranking.
And he transformed the current squad into a team that boasts tremendous firepower.
Plus, as an experienced professional director, he knows how to conduct interviews that will appeal to fans and generate buzz.
“Director Jo Tae-il’s comments are a bit harsh.”
“You’re criticizing our Cheonan team for only playing defensive soccer?”
“Isn’t that a very thoughtless statement?!”
The coaches were upset by Coach Cho Tae-il’s remarks.
But I wasn’t angry.
Rather, I found this situation a little amusing.
“That’s how it comes out… … .”
Then shouldn’t I also answer?
“We need to make some changes to our tactics in the next match against Incheon.”
“yes?”
“Coach Cho Tae-il is trying to heat up the game by making provocations like that, so as a junior, I can’t help but respond.”
The next match against Incheon will be my answer to coach Cho Tae-il.
* * *
[Ulsan achieved 7 consecutive wins by defeating Seoul. Declared that they will stop Cheonan’s winning streak.]
[Ulsan, like Cheonan, is on the verge of setting a new record.]
[Experts’ cool-headed assessment that even Cheonan will have a hard time against Ulsan.]
Ulsan defeated Seoul with an overwhelming score of 4 to 0.
Ulsan’s manager, Cho Tae-il, made a provocation, saying that he would trample on Cheonan mercilessly in the next match.
And as if responding to his provocation,
[Gooooool! Cheonan is destroying Incheon with merciless attacks!]
In the match against Incheon, Suwon’s next opponent, Cheonan was scoring goals with its fierce offense.
[Goal! Another goal! Cheonan is truly invincible today!!]
“… … .”
And there were those who seriously watched Cheonan’s hot attacking soccer.
“This is very different from the old Cheonan.”
“Cheonan’s style was to throw bait to the opposing team, shake them up, and then rush in when there was an opening… … .”
Ulsan’s coaches were perplexed as they watched Cheonan knocking on Incheon’s goal.
Meanwhile, Cheonan used pressure tactics and threw bait to create a gap in space, slowly pulling up the line.
But today, as if nothing was going to happen, he ran forward without looking back and kept bombing.
“… … .”
Coach Cho Tae-il, who was watching their game,
“ha ha ha!”
Soon, he burst into loud laughter.
“Director… … ?”
The coaches tilted their heads at his hearty, resounding laughter.
“Cha Seong. This guy, you really like him?”
In the interview, Coach Cho criticized Cheonan, saying that they were nothing special, and that Cha Seong-eun, who was leading them, was just an average coach.
But he actually knew that Cha Seong-eun was a great director who only comes once in a hundred years.
“Can’t you see this? In the last interview, I provoked you, so you responded like this. It’s like you’re telling me not to dare underestimate our Cheonan’s attack power. Haha!”
The tea ceremony.
The outstanding tactics that shocked and astonished the K-League, and the star quality that reignited the fire with a new topic whenever the firewood seemed to die down.
“I did provoke you on purpose, but you responded so coolly. I’m truly amazed.”
The two teams are currently on winning streaks, and everyone is curious to see who will stop their winning streak in this match.
If you provoke your opponent and stimulate the soccer fans, more attention will be drawn and a huge number of spectators will come to watch the game.
“We’re fighting for a new record for consecutive wins, so wouldn’t it be better for as many people as possible to watch our game?”
Coach Cho’s blood was already boiling and he wanted to face Cheonan right away.
I just wanted to break through that ironclad defense and have a really fierce battle, shaking the goal net.
And if possible, I wish everyone in the world could watch that famous game.
It’s not just about selling tickets.
It was a pure desire to show this thrilling game to as many people as possible.
And I really wanted to win.
I’m talking about Cheonan.
“This time, I’ll teach you what attacking football is.”
Coach Cho clenched his fist with a thud.
There were coaches who were needlessly humbled by the speculation emanating from him.
* * *
“Oh my~ That’s right. Chairman Jeong. I was just going to use the points vending machine like last season to give generously to the teams that are working hard to revive our K-League.”
As I entered Chairman Cha’s study, he was laughing heartily and talking on the phone to someone.
“No. But who knew that our son, who was dropped in by parachute, would manage the team so well? That’s why people say that our Cheonan is like the Barcelona of Korea. It’s a team in the Spanish league. Do you know, Chairman Jeong?”
“… … .”
Barcelona, currently the best football team in the world.
Even though Chairman Cha, who loves soccer, must know the team, he was bragging like that.
“The Gangseong Group even mobilized the media to write many articles so that Cheonan would do well and our youngest son would do well. When will I ever get to eat properly? Instead, let’s make a golf appointment with the chairmen who sponsor the K-League. Hehe.”
You were talking to the chairman of Kang Sung Group.
Because it’s a strong group-.
There was a time when, just before the season started, the previously quiet media suddenly started accusing me of being a murderer.
And when he found out that the Kang Sung group was at the forefront, I can’t tell you how furious our Chairman Cha was.
“Yeah, yeah. Our Chairman Jeong is old, so he must be tired at this time. Take vitamins and supplements and sleep well. Shouldn’t we watch the K-League winning team? Haha. Then let’s contact each other again next time.”
It was only now that the grudge from back then was being resolved in a refreshing way.
Chairman Cha, who was hanging up the phone with a hearty laugh, made eye contact with me and shook his body.
“Oh, when did you come? If you did, you would have made a sound to let us know you were here.”
“I kept knocking on the door, but there was no answer.”
He let out a bashful cough, perhaps embarrassed.
“Ahem. Did you hear the whole conversation?”
“Yes. Thanks to you, I feel relieved. Thank you, Father.”
“Haha. That guy. A guy who never had any problems to begin with. Sit down.”
I guess he thought I was just talking nonsense.
I honestly felt like I was having a refreshing glass of cider.
“I enjoyed watching the match against Incheon. They were really hot.”
“Yes. Someone provoked me.”
Based on a hot attack, our Cheonan achieved a great victory of 4-0 against Incheon.
“So that’s why you did the interview like that? Director Cho, that guy started the fire, so you’re trying to start a fight back?”
As expected, our president.
After the match against Incheon, I also conducted an interview where I criticized Coach Cho.
Seeing that, I realized that the two of us were plotting a plan with each other’s intentions.
Indeed, it was the insight of a person who raised this mountain to the rank of a large corporation.
“Yes. They want to light a fire properly, so there’s no reason for me to refuse.”
Now we were looking at a 10-game winning streak against Ulsan.
That alone would be enough of a topic of conversation, but with Coach Cho’s interview and Ulsan currently on a 7 game winning streak, people’s interest is growing even more.
One thing that is unfortunate is that the maximum number of people that can be accommodated at Cheonan home stadium is 32,000.
Seoul, which set a record for the largest number of spectators in 2010 with a whopping 60,000 spectators, had a large stadium that could accommodate a large number of people.
However, since the attendance has never exceeded 20,000 for a game at Cheonan’s home stadium, it was possible that this would be the opportunity to set a new record.
“… … Watching the Ulsan game, Coach Cho is no ordinary guy.”
Chairman Cha spoke with concern,
“Still, I have no doubt that you will win.”
There was faith in that voice.
I too responded to that belief.
“Since today is your father’s birthday, I will make it an unforgettable day for you.”
“Haha. That guy.”
Chairman Cha, no, my father, slowly stroked my head.
“I wonder when that brat grew up like this.”
For some reason, the warmth I felt from those hands made my heart ache.