Shooting Trajectory is Visible - Chapter 265



Only Noblemtl

Episode 265: The Bull’s Effort

Without any major upsets, we advanced to the UEFA Europa League final.

We almost got eliminated because I dropped out in the middle, but no matter how much things went wrong, Manchester United wouldn’t lose to Benfica, and that’s how we made it to the final.

The team that came up from the opposite port was, as if by a twist of fate, Hannover.

My hometown team.

Even now, many of the players I played with are still playing on the team.

As soon as it was confirmed that Hannover would advance to the final and face Manchester United, my phone lit up.

[Korsic: Finally, I’ll see that face!]

[Kim Min-woo: They say you meet your enemy on a single-log bridge…]

[Korsic: I guarantee it, Kim. You’re the one falling off the bridge :D]

[Kim Min-woo: Corey. I’m really sorry that I had to make Hannover the runner-up with my own hands.]

[Corsic: Wake up, that won’t happen]

I guess Corsic is very arrogant because he has never met me as an enemy.

Or maybe it’s just the confidence that the individual’s skills have improved so much.

‘When I look at Corsic, I understand how Junyoung grew up like that.’

I was a running mate with Corsic for about a year and a half, and when we were playing together, I didn’t really feel it because we were growing together, but after joining Manchester United and watching Hannover’s recent developments from afar, I can definitely see the effect of having a running mate.

Corsic, who was a sub in the second division, has now become Hannover’s main defender in the first division, and the defense without Corsic has become so good that it is unthinkable.

The German media, unaware of the circumstances, praised Korsic as a model of human victory, and even went so far as to say that I was also worshipped by surprise, citing Kim Min-woo’s influence.

Well, that’s true.

If I hadn’t designated him as my running mate, Korsic wouldn’t have been guaranteed a chance and would probably have been sold somewhere by now.

[Dominik Korsic, “Kim turned my life around 180 degrees”]

And, shamefully, Corsic also interviewed such experts. I didn’t find it by surfing the internet, as usual―

[Kim Shin-ah: Look at this lol]

[Kim Shin-ah: Kim Min-woo’s surprise worship ㄷㄷ]

[Kim Shin-ah: No, is it constant worship?]

[Kim Shin-ah: This person praises Kim Min-woo whenever he gets the chance]

Kim Shin-a, the Internet ghost, came to visit.

In fact, it’s not just Corsic.

Most of my Hannover teammates who played with me during those days gave me favorable reviews.

Words like, “I miss him,” “I feel the void he left behind,” and so on. Words like that, so complimentary that it’s embarrassing to see them alone.

But when it was confirmed that we would face each other in the finals, the colleagues who had previously praised me so much were brimming with confidence and provoking me.

None of the British teams could do it, none of the German teams could do it, but we, the home team, can do it… … something like that.

“I really need to get some exercise.”

They’re the only team in the Bundesliga that hasn’t experienced me, so I guess they don’t know how scared I am… … I’m going to have to really beat them up in the final.

* * *

And the next match was the 36th round of the league against Wolverhampton.

The match will be held exactly three days after the second leg of the Europa League semi-finals.

“Is everyone feeling okay?”

Giovanni’s question.

Most of the players starting today had bright expressions on their faces.

It was natural, as most of the starters were on the bench or were left out of the squad for the second match against AS Roma and were resting well.

Although it’s only been three days on paper, the players who are actually starting have had a full week of rest, so… …there’s no need to worry about physical problems.

“Today’s game depends on how we play. Although Wolverhampton is a mid-table team in the league, it’s their home ground, so any result wouldn’t be surprising.”

Giovanni looked around the team and continued.

“Just to get to the point, the coach wants you guys to work really hard. You’ve had a week off, so you can expect that much, right?”

“yes!”

“Yeah. But don’t run while putting in all your energy. You all know what I mean, right?”

He’s telling me to just run with some feeling.

And before we went out onto the field, we left the locker room with one last cheer.

The tactics to be used in this match have already been coordinated in advance.

I warmed up lightly in anticipation of the rematch with Hwang Hee-cheon… .

* * *

Before the game started, the two teams had time to shake hands. Hwang Hee-cheon slowly passed the Manchester United players and shook their hands one by one.

Hwang Hee-cheon was also a player everyone knew.

Rashford. Fernandes. Garnazzo. Luke Shaw. Dalot. Maguire. Kim Jun-young.

The guy was grinning at himself, wondering what was so good about him. Hwang Hee-cheon also laughed along.

Again, Mainu. Robella. Martinez. And Kim Minwoo.

His expression was dry, but I could tell by the look in his eyes. He was happy right now… .

In fact, Hwang Hee-cheon also knows.

How much do people love the Korean Derby? Especially since there are three Koreans in today’s game.

If you look at things like Instagram comments, people were hoping that Kim Min-woo would score his first goal beyond expectations.

And the parties involved wanted it too.

It was a few days before the game, when we had a phone conversation.

-Brother. If I make a mistake, I want it to be eaten by a fellow Korean.

“What? Why?”

―If possible, I think it would be better to wear a red skirt than to be eaten by guys like Holland or Mbappe. I don’t want to see those guys acting all sullen for no reason.

“But you almost got eaten by Hongmin hyung last time, so you blocked it with your hand.”

―Hey… … If I concede a goal, then that’s fine. When did I ever say I would be eaten? I’ll do my best no matter who the opponent is.

“If you think I’m going to put it in, are you going to use your hand to stop it?”

-If the goalkeeper doesn’t use his hands to stop it, then what can he use to stop it?

“no….”

I was speechless because it wasn’t a wrong statement.

But don’t worry, Minwoo.

‘Your wish, I will grant it.’

In some ways, Minwoo’s concerns were plausible.

It was only recently that Holland, who had been in a never-ending slump since his match against Kim Min-woo, came back to life, and what if he used that momentum to give Min-woo his first goal?

It remains to be seen how far Holland’s confidence will soar.

Besides, there has been talk like that recently.

The official successor to Messi and Ronaldo. In other words, the attacker who follows in his footsteps must definitely give Kim Min-woo a goal… .

At first I thought it was a joke, but now it’s a topic being seriously discussed.

How symbolic would it be if Mbappe or Haaland scored the first goal of a goalkeeper that no one has been able to break through?

Whoever it may be, he could easily become one of the best strikers of our time.

‘So don’t worry.’

Kim Min-woo’s first goal will not be conceded by Holland, Mbappe or any other famous world-class player.

Beep!

The game begins with the referee’s whistle.

Hwang Hee-cheon started running diligently on the ground with the determination to give Kim Min-woo his first goal… .

.

.

There were several competing processes that came and went.

However, the decisive scene did not come easily and was sluggish.

Hwang Hee-cheon waited patiently for an opportunity.

Manchester United looked nervous in their moves as they were only two points behind Manchester City.

It didn’t feel like the players were getting excited, but it felt like the tactical style was like that.

As we continued to run hard and wait, an opportunity to penetrate the back space came.

A sensational through pass from Joao Gomez, playing as a central midfielder.

Hwang Hee-cheon ran straight away.

The ball passed the opposing defender and came to his feet.

Hwang Hee-Cheon broke through the back space and entered the penalty box in an instant.

‘Just get through Minwoo!’

Although Kim Min-woo is a special goalkeeper, if he is conscious of that and intentionally kicks the ball in a strange trajectory, his scoring chances will actually decrease.

So Hwang Hee-cheon kicked it like he usually did.

With your right foot― shoot―!

The shot, which flew quickly and steadily, was blocked by Kim Min-woo. It was a clean save, needless to say.

However, the power of the shot was so great that the ball flew out of his pocket and bounced in the direction of Hwang Hee-cheon.

‘It’s really here!’

A golden opportunity!

The ball bounced right over Hwang Hee-cheon’s head, so he headed it in without any hesitation.

Just jump up and, whoosh!

Then, Kim Min-woo also jumps up and blocks the header. Hwang Hee-cheon’s header is blocked by Kim Min-woo’s right hand and goes over the goal…

“Heh.”

As expected, Kim Min-woo is amazing.

Hwang Hee-cheon took a deep breath and felt a little disillusioned. However, he had no time to be frustrated by just one blockage. This was only his first attempt.

“Nice try.”

Kim Min-woo secretly gives a follow-up to the player despite their rivalry, as if he likes the attempt just now. Hwang Hee-cheon nods and prepares for a corner kick.

The corner kick was repelled without any gain due to Manchester United’s defense. I didn’t expect it in the first place. I already knew that Kim Min-woo was particularly strong at corner kicks.

The rivalry between the two teams continued for quite some time after that.

Fortunately, the condition of Manchester United’s attackers today was not good to say the least, and in a push-pull game, Hwang Hee-cheon was given another chance.

The first half was 40 minutes.

Matheus Cunha passed the ball to Hwang Hee-cheon from just beyond the centre circle, who took the ball and slid up the left flank.

Baran blocked the front, but Hwang Hee-cheon was confident. He entered the box and continued to run to the side. Then he suddenly folded.

Raphael Varane was fooled by Hwang Hee-cheon’s origami and stopped short. As a human, there had to be some delay in that situation. In other words, now was the chance to shoot.

Boohoo!

‘come!’

Varane was fooled and passed, but then there was Maguire. Luckily, however, Hwang Hee-cheon’s shot went through Maguire’s legs, and in such situations, it is usually very difficult for the goalkeeper to make a save due to the limited vision―

“Fuck.”

React to this?

As if he knew it, he blocks it without difficulty. It’s so disappointing that it’s ridiculous. What the hell is that guy doing?

‘… Yeah. This is the level of goalkeeper you need to be to be the best in the world.’

And Hwang Hee-cheon himself had no intention of giving in to just this.

The first half ends and the second half begins.

The opportunity came sooner than expected.

Another opportunity comes just 3 minutes into the game.

It was a good pass this time too.

Hwang Hee-cheon started to run, and two defenders blocked his path, but one of them suddenly fell down.

A space that suddenly opens up.

It was a chance, but there was still one defender.

Hwang Hee-cheon beat the remaining one with his specialty and most confident ‘folding’.

The only one left is Kim Min-woo.

‘Calm down.’

Although he is mainly right-footed, he often kicks with his left foot as well. Hwang Hee-cheon aimed for Kim Min-woo’s goal with his left foot. The top of the left goal post. Yashin Zone, which is hard to block even if you know it.

‘Eek!’

The ball shoots out like a cannonball with a “pop” sound.

I was kicking it with the intention of asking him to please eat it, but Kim Min-woo blocked even that.

Kim Min-woo flies like a butterfly and blocks with his fingertips.

“Shoot… .”

Hwang Hee-cheon took a deep breath and placed his hands on his head. If he couldn’t get in after going this far, he should have given up on winning.

When a goalkeeper makes decisive saves like this, he gains ‘momentum’, and when he gains momentum, he gains ‘flow’.

Wolves had a number of crucial moments at home, but after all of them were blocked by Kim Min-woo, what followed was as expected from Hwang Hee-cheon.

Manchester United attack with a corner kick.

He exchanges passes with the corner kick taker right in front of him, then passes the ball to Mainu, who is outside the box, and Mainu immediately crosses the ball into the box.

And Kim Jun-young picked it up and ate it like a baby bird waiting for food.

I don’t know if I can say I picked it up, but I flew over and successfully completed a diving header.

Unlike Kim Min-woo who blocked it easily, our goalkeeper was able to get through it with one shot… .

“… … .”

It was more natural than regrettable.

Kim Jun-young celebrated by scoring double-digit goals in the league.

Run to where the corner kick flag is and do a cool sweep of the grass.

Hwang Hee-cheon watched the scene from a distance, then turned his head to look at Kim Min-woo.

‘How the hell do I get through this guy?’

And Kim Min-woo recalled a story he usually joked about. It was an anecdote from his time on the national team.

[… … I will assist you with your last dance until the end.]

It was something he said to Son Heung-min. If you listen to the nuance, it sounds like he’s going to help him win the World Cup… … This might not be something to laugh about.

‘Brazil, France, and so on… No matter which country or player comes, I don’t think they’ll be able to break through this guy.’

In fact, when it comes to the Premier League, the difference in skill level between players is only about one or two sheets of paper.

Hwang Hee-cheon has always thought that way.

But Kim Min-woo is a few hundred pages different from other players… … He might just single-handedly grab the World Cup by the scruff of the neck and make it win.

‘Thinking about the World Cup, it’s a good thing that Minwoo is on our side.’

I feel so helpless because I have to fight back… .

“Hwang. Are you okay with it?”

As I was looking at Kim Min-woo with a complicated expression, Mateus Cunha came up to me and spoke. As I looked at him with a blank expression, Cunha added.

“The World Cup is coming up soon. I think it would be quite helpful to be on the same team as someone like that.”

Hwang Hee-cheon smiled faintly.

“… To be honest, Kunya. I don’t think we’d lose to your team in the World Cup.”

Then Kunya also smiles.

“Should I be honest with you?”

“huh.”

“I agree with you. How can I get through that guy?”

Hwang Hee-cheon and Kunya looked at each other and giggled.

Mateus Cunha’s nationality was Brazilian….