Dad was a Genius - Chapter 40
Only Noblemtl
My Dad Was a Genius Episode 040
“Oh, this can’t be happening.”
“No. Is this how it is?”
Cheonan’s lightning-quick counterattack brought the one-on-one match to a close.
The coaches couldn’t help but be bewildered as they watched Kang Dae-ho dribble past three defenders.
But coach Kim Woo-seok was looking at goalkeeper Lee Kang-cheol, who was celebrating with the defenders at the goal, not Kang Dae-ho.
‘… … What is this strange feeling I’ve been feeling since a while ago?’
Something, really something, was off.
Clearly, Pohang ate away at Cheonan’s offensive power with a complete defensive stance. And they constantly ate away at their stamina.
Thanks to that, a counterattack opportunity arose and Pohang scored faster than usual.
however,
“Huh? Another counterattack!”
“No! Stop it!”
For some reason Pohang is being pushed back.
After scoring the equalizer, Cheonan responded well to Pohang’s corner kick situation once again and immediately created a counterattack opportunity.
“Oh my.”
“I thought it would work.”
Fortunately, the crisis was overcome, but Director Kim Woo-seok could feel it.
This means that Pohang is now in a deep swamp.
‘I thought it was a swamp I created. But it wasn’t.’
Kim Woo-seok kept the Cheonan players running with his suffocating defensive wall, putting them in a swamp.
It was a corner kick opportunity created after seeing them tired.
But then suddenly this thought occurred to me.
‘Was it really true that the Cheonan players were tired?’
Could it be that Cha Seong-i intentionally killed the players’ tempo and made them look tired?
Look. Aren’t the Cheonan players flying around differently now than before?
As that thought crossed Kim Woo-seok’s mind, a tingling sensation ran through his entire body.
‘So, I ended up taking the bait?’
After scoring from the first corner kick, coach Kim Woo-suk ordered his team to counterattack whenever they had the chance.
As always, the goal was to create a set piece situation and score.
But the results were going the other way.
In set-piece situations, which could be said to be Pohang’s greatest weapon, Cheonan continued to threaten Pohang by taking counterattack opportunities.
Without even knowing it, Kim Woo-seok was taking the bait thrown by Cha Seong-eun.
‘But there was nothing wrong with my tactics.’
The flow up to the first goal was very good.
Then a variable occurred.
‘That goalkeeper.’
Cheonan’s goalkeeper Lee Kang-cheol.
Experts criticized the decision, saying they did not understand why Cha Seong-eun insisted on selecting Lee Kang-cheol.
This is because his saving ability was not that good compared to other goalkeepers.
If Lee Kang-cheol’s defensive ability had been better, Cheonan could have conceded fewer goals.
Nevertheless, Cha Seong-eun put Lee Kang-cheol in the starting lineup until the end.
And today he clearly showed us why.
‘Not only is the save a good one, but the accurate kick that he uses to hit the ball towards Kang Dae-ho is a talent that you can’t find in other goalkeepers.’
Of course, Kang Dae-ho, who received that and instantly shook off all the defenders, was also a monster.
But that too would have been impossible without Lee Kang-cheol’s pass.
‘Since then, the goalkeeper has become bolder, while we have become more intimidated.’
Pohang were confident in their aerial battles, so they were brimming with confidence when heading the ball.
But that confidence seemed to have waned after the equaliser.
On the other hand, the Cheonan goalkeeper showed off his ability to jump high and punch, and the Cheonan defenders also fought hard in the air battle, not yielding to his relatively short height.
‘The tables have turned.’
The tables have turned.
This was no longer the swamp of Pohang.
It has become a swamp that Cheonan created, no, that Cha Seong-eun created.
Director Kim Woo-seok glanced at Cha Seong-eun next to him.
‘Since when have I been playing into the author’s hands?’
From the middle of the game?
Or before the game starts?
I can’t be sure.
But what is certain is that he lost the fight with Cha Seong-eun. Kim Woo-seok cleanly admitted that fact.
‘But the game isn’t over yet.’
The first half is just coming to an end.
‘And I’m not obsessed with winning.’
Not making a mistake under any circumstances.
Kim Woo-seok’s tactical concept is to not allow additional points even if the game is tied.
‘I will never give up any more points.’
Beep-!!
That’s how the first half ended.
* * *
“We are not obsessed with winning. Our soccer concept is to not concede a goal, even if it means a draw. Therefore, we will block them thoroughly again… … That is what Coach Kim Woo-seok is thinking.”
The players look a bit tired.
Although I didn’t show it, it was the result of struggling and running in the swamp called Pohang.
But their enthusiasm and determination towards the game were definitely felt.
“Pohang will build a high wall like they did in the first half and will never go forward. And no matter how many counterattack opportunities we give them, they will never come out. Now is the time for us to really break through their shield.”
It’s a really terrible concept.
Looking at the fact that they won the championship with that concept, it seems that coach Kim Woo-seok’s tactics were not wrong.
but,
“That’s something that only works for other teams. Show them in the second half that it’s foolish to do nothing against us and just build a defensive wall.”
“yes!!”
The players stood up, their resolve growing.
I approached my father, who was standing with the players.
“Player Kang Dae-ho.”
“Yes, sir.”
“We can’t expect a counterattack like we did in the first half. That means someone has to step up and break down that thick wall.”
“… … That would be my role.”
“That’s right. Do you remember what I said when I went to Kang Dae-ho’s house last time?”
My father looked at me intently.
“This match will be Kang Dae-ho’s first step into the world. If he can’t break through this defense, he won’t be able to overcome the world’s walls, which are higher and tougher than this.”
The walls of the world.
It was a wailing wall that every player wanted to overcome, but no one could overcome.
And now I could feel my father standing right there on the verge of that very moment.
“That’s a cruel thing to say. I know very well that I’m only putting a big burden on Kang Dae-ho. So I want to ask. Kang Dae-ho, do you want to become a world-class striker?”
Father was silent for a moment.
When I was young, my father always had a hollow look in his eyes.
Then, whenever soccer was mentioned, blue flames would fly.
“no.”
And now, a fire even more fierce than before was burning inside me.
“I will become the best striker in the world. The manager told me I can definitely become that.”
After saying that, my father got up from his seat and left the locker room.
It is now entirely up to him whether he will overcome the wall or be frustrated.
* * *
‘It’s good that they’re being so arrogant and boastful.’
Lee Soo-yong looked at the Pohang players who were in a perfect defensive position and let out a short breath.
It’s a defensive wall that makes you feel suffocated just by looking at it.
How the hell am I supposed to get through that?
“Hyung, accept it.”
“why.”
“That cross from last time. Could you please put it up for me?”
“what?”
What is this kid talking about now?
Wait, no way… … .
“That thing we did during the last training?”
“Yes. Low and fast cross.”
“That thing I gave you over a hundred times and you never got it right?”
“Hey. Not a hundred times… … .”
Kang Dae-ho felt Lee Su-yong’s cold gaze and coughed in vain.
“Please. This time… … I will definitely include it.”
“Hey. Will that work?”
“It is possible.”
For a moment, Lee Soo-yong flinched when he met Kang Dae-ho’s eyes.
These are different eyes than usual.
No, it was the look in Kang Dae-ho’s eyes when he was completely absorbed in soccer.
Are you really going to put it in?
“Just try not to put it in. You’ll lose it.”
“yes.”
Lee Soo-yong took a deep breath and placed the ball at his feet.
The only two people he acknowledges on the team.
That was coach Cha Seong-eun and Kang Dae-ho.
These two were definitely not at a level that could be played domestically.
That Kang Dae-ho just said that he would somehow match that crazy fast cross.
This is a guy who never got a proper fit during training.
But it’s really strange.
‘I have a feeling it’ll really hit the mark.’
Then, it was solely Lee Su-yong’s job to bring the ball there.
To do that, you have to run sideways and break through those defenders.
‘Can you do it?’
No, that kind of thinking is pointless.
Don’t just run with the mindset that you can do it, but that you can do it.
If the other side puts up an absurd defensive wall, then we also have to take out a weapon that makes no sense.
Paat-!
Lee Soo-yong moved towards the side rather than the center.
Even when Pohang’s defenders rushed at him and started a rough physical fight, he used his quick speed to push all the way to the side.
And then I glanced to the side.
‘There are many.’
All you can see are the black Pohang players’ uniforms.
But among all those ragtag players, there was one person who stood out.
It was Kang Dae-ho who was looking at him with those gleaming eyes.
Swish-!
Lee Soo-yong sent a quick and powerful low cross towards those eyes.
“… … ?”
The Pohang players laughed at the low cross that was so quick.
‘What is that?’
‘How do you drive that?’
‘I guess I got it wrong.’
A cross that is accidentally invisible to the outside.
There is probably no Cheonan player who can step into a cross that is almost like a shot… … .
“uh?”
At that very moment.
Kang Dae-ho, who was slightly away from the Suba line to avoid being caught in the offside trap, ran forward and dove.
“Oh, you’re crazy!”
Thud-!
Fortunately, the ball that was caught by Kang Dae-ho’s foot hit the goal post and went out.
It was a heart-stopping moment.
“I thought you were going in.”
“It wasn’t there just a moment ago, so when did you come running here?”
“Isn’t it offside?”
But it wasn’t offside either.
That means he ran from far away to here at a crazy speed.
“It must be a coincidence.”
“It doesn’t make sense to react to that.”
Pohang players just thought it was luck.
But Lee Soo-yong saw it clearly.
That Kang Dae-ho flew with his whole body to receive the cross.
The guy came over and said, scratching his head wildly.
“I’m sorry, bro. I know it’s hard, but please try again one more time.”
“you…….”
That monster.
To be able to go that fast with that body.
It was like seeing a wild beast.
The problem is,
‘I wonder if it will work this time too.’
No, this was also something that didn’t need to be thought about.
Lee Soo-yong said, placing his hand on Kang Dae-ho’s shoulder.
“Take it. Run with all your might. Run so hard that you feel like you’re going to die if you keep running.”
“… … That’s a bit.”
“Shut up. Just run.”
“yes.”
In the end, what mattered was whether Lee Su-yong could break through the side and send a cross again.
And there was no need to think long.
Just run.
‘Are you going to do that again?’
‘It won’t work this time.’
The experienced Pohang defenders already noticed what Lee Su-yong was trying to do.
He must be trying to deliver that quick cross that caught them off guard earlier.
“Mark it!”
Pohang players focused on marking Kang Dae-ho to prevent him from breaking through the line.
He also stuck to Lee Soo-yong and blocked his way, preventing him from easily sending a cross.
‘Damn. If it goes like this… … .’
Rough fighting and pressure.
Lee Soo-yong had difficulty even finding Kang Dae-ho’s location.
Nevertheless, he held on to his fight until the end and kicked the ball with all his might.
but,
‘this.’
I miscontrolled my strength.
The cross came out sooner than intended, and the direction and timing were all off.
In the meantime, the speed increased and it became the worst shitball.
however,
“……uh?”
“what?”
The eyes of the Pohang players who were watching the cross that was no different from a shit ball pass by grew bigger and bigger.
Because of the shadow of Kang Dae-ho looming before them.
“W, that’s nonsense… … !”
And then something happened that defied common sense.
Crash~!
“… … .”
Pohang’s home stadium, which had been noisy with cheering, suddenly became as silent as a library.
Pohang fans cheering for Pohang and cheering for their swamp soccer.
Defenders and goalkeeper guarding the box.
Also, the Cheonan team players who were running outside the box.
And even Lee Soo-yong, who was watching this whole situation with surprised eyes.
Their silence,
“Eww-!!”
The body was blown from afar and sucked into the goal net along with the soccer ball, but it was broken by the roar of Kang Dae-ho who got up.
“Wow-!!”
“Big brother Daeho!!”
“Hey you crazy bastard!!”
The Cheonan players ran towards Kang Dae-ho, who was roaring like a beast.
‘Just now… what was that?’
But Lee Soo-yong couldn’t go there.
Because I just saw a sight that gave me goosebumps that I couldn’t believe my eyes.
‘You really put that in?’
That ball just now was a cross that could never be reacted to or turned into a shot.
That’s why the Pohang players just let the ball flow.
Because they too were balls that couldn’t react.
However, Kang Dae-ho ran past the Pohang players from far away and flew to score a goal.
‘Kang Dae-ho. This crazy bastard.’
Previously, Cha Seong-eun said this about Kang Dae-ho.
He has the talent to become the best striker in the world.
At first, I thought I was overestimating Daeho, but-.
‘That’s real.’
This time too, Cha Seong-eun’s eyes were not wrong.
Aren’t all of Lee Soo-yong’s senses telling him this?
The world’s best striker is growing up right before your eyes.