Soccer Genius Wants to Get Noticed - Chapter 121



Only Krnovel

Episode 121: A place where you have no choice but to do well

As soon as I entered the stadium, South Korea adopted a drastic tactical change.

Three hundred.

It was a typical change to 3142, and both sides’ defenders were replaced at the same time. Unfortunately, my roommate Jae-young was not selected by the coach.

Instead, veteran central defender Park Jeong-su, who is more than the same age as me, was brought in.

But there is no time to feel regret.

Holy.Hello.!

The moment the audience chanted my name in three letters, a strong thrill surged through my head like a bolt of lightning.

It’s not ‘Ha-nul’ that I heard in Cologne, it’s ‘Haneul’.

My proper name, three letters.

In the first half, there had been cheers every time my image appeared on camera, but there was something fundamentally different here.

okay.

This is… … kind of like a drug.

How should I put it, it feels like I’ve finally been recognized?

No, this expression is not enough.

The confidence that I have stepped foot into a place where only the best players in our country gather. Or the pride that the expectations of 60,000 spectators are focused on one person, me?

Even this alone would be more than enough to motivate you, but as the game progresses, the thrill quickly turns into a feeling of wonder.

Boohoo-!

Immediately after Iran’s attack turn has passed.

The central defenders of our team steadily move the ball up near the center line and immediately spread forward passes to the second line.

‘If you want to play as a right winger, you have to adapt to the national team’s style.’

This morning, during the training for each position by zone, as I heard from head coach Dacosta, the reason why it is advisable for me to move to the front-line attacker position is because the national team’s detailed tactics are so complicated.

In other words, this means that the teamwork of the current national team starting lineup is amazing, so Hwang Hee-cheol, who had been out on the wing, moves into the center to lay the foundation for the attack.

Just change the direction of the official ball with a light touch.

The subsequent situations also flow naturally like water.

On the opposite side of the second line, attacking midfielder Lee Jae-seon instantly shakes off his marker and switches to dribbling.

He took a few steps up towards the penalty box, and just before the Iranian defense formed a net, he tapped his foot.

The official ball rolled into the box near the semicircle, near the feet of player Cho Kyu-min, who was standing with his back to the opposing defender.

“Heaven, to the side!”

For a moment, I thought I was holding up well.

I suddenly come to my senses and move diagonally to the right.

In the meantime, Hwang Hee-cheol has stretched out to the right sideline and dragged out a defender, so I also need to give him some space.

Fight!

This creates space for the friendly midfielders to penetrate.

This is the national team’s way.

Although I wanted to go straight into the box, since this was my debut, it would have been right to refrain from making plays that would draw the manager’s disapproval.

Of course, if Kwon Chang-jun were to infiltrate the inner space and lose his rhythm… that would be another story.

Boom, boom!

What happens to an attacker who misses his finishing timing? A good example is given not far from me.

As the red-shirted player lost his dribbling rhythm and lost all speed and shooting angle, Iranian defenders swarmed him and bumped his body.

Soon, his body’s balance completely collapses, but fortunately, the ball hits the foot he swung just before falling.

Thump, thump, thump.

The official ball bounced twice on the grass and rolled to the right edge of the penalty box, where I was standing, and landed on the instep.

iced coffee.

His first offensive opportunity following his debut for the national team.

Every moment was monumental, and I wanted to make a V sign with my fingers towards the camera at the corner flag. But contrary to my playful thoughts, my two legs were moving on instinct.

“#@$!”

Knock, knock.

The moment when the shouts of the opposing team’s defenders and the cheers of the crowd mix in my ears.

I make my decision before the second ball touch is over.

pass?

Okay.

The national team coaching staff muttered the same thing as Hannes Dold (Cologne analyst) about the connection, so if you try to help, you will definitely get praised.

But I am the Holy Sky.

As a human who wants to be the team’s attacker and ace, no, as a human who was born as an ace, I first spend my time proving myself rather than seeking the approval of others.

“Huh, huff.”

Swish.

Immediately after holding your breath.

The direction in which the upper body is tilted is to the right, but the actual direction of progress is to the left.

To make people believe that the trick is real, he jumps out as if he is going to fall, but leaves the ball in place for a moment… … and at the very end, he grabs it with his left hind leg and pulls it in.

The direction in which the ball was pulled was also diagonally to the right, so the defender belatedly recognized the off-beat dribble and reflexively extended his right foot.

This determines the outcome of the match.

I stick my foot out, but I can’t block its rolling path. I wait for the ball to roll in front of me, and in a split second – I hook it with my left foot again and put it between my opponent’s legs.

At the same time, he changed direction while applying maximum load to his right thigh. Although he couldn’t avoid being caught by the opposing defender’s outstretched hand, it didn’t matter.

If you want to catch it, catch it.

As I entered the penalty box, I was willing to fall.

widely!

Well, giving up on defense isn’t a bad idea.

Although the central defenders are crowded together, the shooting angle on the left side of the goal is slightly open. So I quickly move my legs to regain possession of the ball, slightly change the direction of the dribble, and change into a shooting position.

The bending angle should not be too large.

If you just finish with a simple rhythm from ball touch to shooting… … it’ll be over.

Suddenly, a moody feeling wells up and he starts to argue.

I feel like it’s a bit too bland for a first score.

If everyone is expecting the ball to be on the left side of the goal, shouldn’t you kick it to the right?

Let’s also take a picture of the bottom of the ball and draw a beautiful curve.

At first glance, it sounds crazy.

If the goalkeeper doesn’t anticipate the timing of the shot and run to the left, he will just wait in place and easily block it, and he will be the subject of ridicule from the world.

It takes courage to shoot a lob shot like this, let alone have to walk and kick while turning to avoid a defensive wall.

But, rather, that is why I choose that side.

Because I am the Holy Sky.

It’s not that he does crazy things because he’s Sung Ha Neul, but because it’s something he can do because he’s Sung Ha Neul. He erases all thoughts of his poor physical condition from his mind and gently pushes the bottom of the ball with the outside of his left foot.

Toong-

The burning sensation on the instep is perfection itself.

and.

Chorrrrrr!

The 22-centimeter-diameter round object drew a trajectory beyond expectations, winding into the upper right corner of the goal as if fitting together toy blocks.

[Wow, wow, wow!]

X foot.

okay.

I am the Holy Sky.

* * *

Sangam World Cup Stadium erupted in excitement as soon as the goal was scored.

3 to 0.

The outcome was almost decided early on, but the overwhelming cheers and applause were even greater than the previous goal because of the joy of discovering a shining talent.

“You crazy kid! That’s totally crazy!”

“I love you so much, hyung!”

“Wow!”

This was something that the national team coach, Mauri Mendes, who was walking out to the sideline near the bench, was also experiencing vividly.

Even though I couldn’t understand Korean, it wasn’t hard to tell what emotions the fans were expressing.

“Your movements are crazy. How did you push it away like that?”

“That’s right. I only heard that he was good, but he’s the real deal.”

“Real. You’ll know just by looking at it once.”

“Oppa! I love you!”

“You were born when you were twenty, what the… … ugh!”

Amazement and joy, affection and admiration, or something more.

[Whew, you definitely have talent.]

[Ummm… … .]

However, despite the added remarks from head coach Sergio DaCosta, the manager’s face is not filled with joy.

[Why, don’t you like it?]

[No. It’s not that I don’t like him. He’s definitely talented, as you said. That’s why I called him to the national team.]

[Then why? Is it because I joined late?]

[… … It’s not like there isn’t one.]

[It was something that was agreed upon in advance.]

Seong Ha-neul joined the national team half a day later than other overseas players. No coach would like someone to be late for the first call-up because they are filming a commercial, but his subsequent remarks have a deeper meaning.

[It’s not just because of the commercial shoot. It’s a temporary feeling, closer to regret than annoyance.]

[then?]

[I’m worried about whether I can fit in well with the team.]

[What, that’s a good sign. It means they’re considering taking Hanul to the main event.]

[Hmm… … I’m not sure yet. I’ll have to watch a bit more outside the stadium, but it’s obvious how he plays inside.]

[Doesn’t it have a strong personality?]

[very.]

Just then, on the other side of the ground.

The boy’s ceremony adds further confirmation.

He is standing with both arms outstretched where he scored a goal and nodding his head as if to say, ‘Look at me.’

[… … It’s a bit unique. But compared to European players, it’s not that special, right?]

[That’s why I’m worried. It seems like it’s half and half.]

[Hmm? Half and half?]

[Half Korean and half German. I spoke with Stefan.]

[Stefan? Are you talking about the coach of Cologne?]

As the cheers inside the stadium continued to grow louder, coach Mauri Mendes folded his arms and continued speaking.

[I contacted you to ask how I should manage you since you are a young player.]

[Then what did you say?]

[He is basically a moody person with high self-esteem, and although he has a good relationship with his teammates, he doesn’t try to improve himself if he feels like they don’t like him.]

[Really? That’s surprising. They say that Korean players are more polite than expected.]

[I see.]

[That’s not the end, is it?]

[Yes. He said that he doesn’t care about what fans or critics think, but he gets stressed out when he doesn’t perform up to his standards because he has high standards for himself. In particular, he said that he gets greatly swayed by those he values ​​highly.]

[An object of high regard?]

[Manager, coach, team captain or veteran players.]

[Hmm, that aspect is also very Korean. Is that why you avoided meeting each other face to face after the meeting?]

[Hmm.]

He stares at Seong Ha-neul, who returns to the friendly camp, answering with a sigh.

The boy was getting goosebumps (asking them not to touch his hair) from the congratulatory pats and cuteness from the national team players.

Somehow, the applause pouring in from all sides felt like thorns.

[That’s true, but the player himself has never had proper experience. That’s the biggest worry.]

[If it is a proper experience… … .]

[How extreme fans and malicious fans destroy your mentality, and how to overcome it. Hanul has no idea. He hasn’t experienced it properly yet.]

[… … .]

[That’s probably because he doesn’t know how much he’s expected. Even if he does know, he’s probably just guessing. I heard from Stefan that there were quite a few Korean fans who came to the stadium, but he just let it go as if it were a given. Rather than being humble… … he just acted like he didn’t know anything.]

[Isn’t it too hasty to worry? If you were going to be shaken to this extent, you would have collapsed in the adult team.]

[Look at this. You’re underestimating Hanul’s star power right now.]

[… … Did I do that?]

Mauri Mendes then nods towards the inside of the field.

Immediately after the game resumed.

Iran soon lost possession of the ball due to strong forward pressure, and the Korean national team once again engaged in one-sided attacking work.

If there is anything different from before-

Bam.

Wow!

Bam.

Yaaaaah-!

Knock, knock.

Woohoooooooooo-!

“… … ?”

The point was that every time a pass was made to the right flank or the front line, cheers erupted.