Chapter 65
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Korea Fighting!
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Aaahhh!!! 80th minute of the second half!!! Pass from Lee Eul-yong, who subbed in for Lee Young-pyo—it's spot on! Hwang Sun-hong! Hwang Sun-hong! Volley straight from inside the box!!!
WHAM!!!
It's in!!! Hwang Sun-hong!!! Korea's third goal!!! Score is 3-0!!! South Korea has Poland completely crushed!!!
The red wave surged up all at once.
The stands were already a sea of roars, Taegukgi flags fluttering wildly, and cheers mingled with sobs echoing across the world.
Hwang Sun-hong is sprinting to the bench! Hiddink's arms are wide open—oh! He's hugging... Park Hang-seo, the assistant coach. Haha! Hiddink looks pretty awkward!
Even the announcers couldn't hide their excitement.
It's not official yet—but no, this is basically confirmed! People are hugging and crying in the streets, in Gwanghwamun, in Busan too. This isn't just a win—it's a new chapter in Korean soccer history for 2002!!!
The Polish bench was already shrouded in silence.
Coach Jerzy Engel slumped into his chair, and the players' faces were frozen in blank expressions.
But even so, they didn't stop.
The Polish players charged toward Korea's goal until the very end.
Yet blocking their path were two massive walls.
Lee Sung-min and Yoo Sang-chul.
Lee Sung-min wasn't just defending like a typical center back.
He stood like an iron wall, reading and intercepting every pass in advance.
Every time he threw his body in, Poland's attacks faltered, and his mere presence made their feet hesitate.
Yoo Sang-chul was a step ahead.
The moment the ball was in the air, he was already moving to predict its path, completely shutting down Poland's prized long-ball route.
Poland's attacks are completely shut down! This Korean defense is art! It's not just organized— they're perfectly reading Poland!
At that moment, the ball that Lee Sung-min powerfully cleared rolled out to the left flank, where Lee Eul-yong smoothly controlled it.
He paused for a second and lifted his head.
The stadium dyed red, amid the waves of cheers—
He was astonishingly calm.
The score was already 3-0.
Win or lose from here, the match was practically decided.
'The center is open.'
Lee Eul-yong immediately whipped in a left-footed cross.
The ball left his toe, tracing a perfect arc.
The trajectory flying from left to center looked like it was on a pre-set rail.
The ball elegantly curved through the air.
It dropped right in front of Park Ji-sung's feet.
Lee Eul-yong's pass! Park Ji-sung takes it! Perfect connection!
The instant the ball touched Park Ji-sung's foot, he quickly scanned the field.
A momentary gap as one Polish center back was dragged forward.
In that narrow space,
Only one person entered his sight.
Hwang Sun-hong.
"Sun-hong!!!"
Short, sharp, but intensely shouted.
Since joining Hiddink's squad, Park Ji-sung had changed.
Having come through university soccer, he was a player who valued senior-junior etiquette above all.
The icon of respect, never forgetting courtesy.
In the old days, he would have yelled "Senior Hwang Sun-hong!"
But not anymore.
[There are no seniors or juniors on this team. Only 'South Korea.']
Hiddink's philosophy had seeped into his very bones.
And that shout clearly reached Hwang Sun-hong's heart.
'This is my last World Cup.'
Hwang Sun-hong gritted his teeth.
The national team captain, the veteran closing an era.
Now, the name Park Si-hyun—a younger, stronger striker—had risen as the team's future.
But precisely because of that, in this moment, he wanted to be the protagonist.
He wanted the name Hwang Sun-hong etched into this match, this stage, these cheers.
He ran.
Squeezing out his last soul, slicing through the pitch.
Park Ji-sung's through ball!!! Hwang Sun-hong is running!!!
Another chance for Hwang Sun-hong! He's going solo this time! One defender left!
Hwang Sun-hong was half a step ahead of the ball.
Lowering his body and timing it perfectly, he was already in shooting position before the last defender could turn.
WHAM!!!
The ball grazed the defender's leg
and was sucked precisely into the left corner of the net.
SPLASH—!
It's in!!! It's in!!! Hwang Sun-hong!!! His second goal of the match!!! Korea dominates Poland 4-0!!!
Everyone said Korea would struggle even in the group stage! But these Taeguk Warriors have proven it—we're the biggest wildcard of this World Cup.
Hwang Sun-hong clenched his fists and looked up at the sky.
Tears welled in the corners of his eyes.
'A World Cup... win.'
How desperately had he longed for it.
The first victory that was everyday for some—a 'normal' they had never tasted.
Korean soccer was finally grasping this 'moment'.
Hwang Sun-hong gasped for breath.
His breathing was ragged,
but it held not pain, but overwhelming emotion.
Decades of pent-up resentment and despair, the dreams of every player and fan— all exploding in a single shot, a cathartic release.
He couldn't hold back anymore.
He sprinted full tilt toward the bench.
Hiddink smiled and opened his arms wide, and Hwang Sun-hong dove straight into them.
"Well done, Sun-hong! You're... the best captain there is."
In that instant, the stands erupted.
The red tide surged, swallowing the stadium.
People shouted until their voices gave out, hoarse but unrelenting.
"Ko-re-a!!!"
"Ko-re-a!!!"
"Korea! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!"
That's the final whistle, folks!!! South Korea demolishes Poland 4-0 to claim a historic first victory in the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup!!!
After the World Cup, people would say,
"That wasn't the end of a legend.
It was the beginning."
"Wooooaaahhhh!!!"
The cheers showed no sign of stopping even after the match ended.
The stands remained dyed red, people embracing and weeping.
Hiddink caught his breath in front of the bench for a moment, then naturally faced the broadcast PD.
As the camera rolled, the stadium lights shone down on his face.
"Coach! A historic first World Cup win today! What are you feeling right now?"
Even the PD's voice trembled with the question.
They too had followed the team every day, witnessing this journey.
They longed for this victory more than anyone.
Hiddink let out a short laugh.
Then, slowly but with conviction, he said,
"Right now... I'm completely exhausted. But so happy. I'm so proud of the players. Today is a day to celebrate them, and this entire nation. Of course I'm thrilled too, but there's only one thing on my mind."
He looked straight into the camera.
"I need to prepare for the next match as soon as possible. The USA game will be tougher than today. But if we fight like today's Korea, we can win again."
"Classic Hiddink! Already gearing up for the next one. Congratulations, Coach!"
As the PD bowed in greeting, Hiddink smiled briefly and shook his hand.
Meanwhile, other reporters swarmed the players.
Reporters gripping mics shouted, barely containing their excitement.
"One word to the fans in this joyful moment, please!"
"Winning is great, but... showing how much we've grown makes it even more emotional."
"Now I know for sure—we won't back down against any team!"
"We'll crush the USA game just like this too! Korea fighting!!!"
The cheers exploded again.
And then,
The mics turned toward—
One of today's heroes, captain Hwang Sun-hong.
As reporters surrounded him, he smiled briefly and wiped his sweat-soaked face.
Cameras flashed, mics thrust toward his lips.
"Hwang Sun-hong! Subbed in during the second half and bagged two goals! With this being your last World Cup, the emotions must be special. How do you feel right now?"
Hwang Sun-hong caught his breath and looked up at the sky.
The stadium bathed in red,
the endless cheers,
and from the bench, Park Si-hyun beaming brightly—all entered his view.
"......I'm happy. Truly happy. I can't even say how long I've waited for this moment. From the first day I stepped into the national team, I've run toward one dream: winning on this stage someday."
Hwang Sun-hong's voice trembled.
"Today's match means more than just a game to me. As a player, and as one Korean, running for this country—I've felt deeply once more how glorious that is."
The reporters couldn't hide their smiles at his heartfelt words.
They knew too.
How long and fiercely Hwang Sun-hong had endured to reach this point.
"Next up is the USA! One word of resolve, please!"
"We'll fight not just like today, but hotter. We're not afraid anymore. This team, South Korea... we won't stop."
He clenched his fist and shouted.
"Korea fighting!"