Chapter 73
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Anyway, Victory Belongs to Park Si-hyun
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Anyway, victory belongs to Park Si-hyun.
[Last 1 minute! The score is already 5-0! Everyone— South Korea takes 1st place in Group D... 1st place!!!]
Waaaaaaaaah!!!!!!
It was nothing short of an explosion.
The red wave engulfed Munhak Stadium.
Everyone had anticipated it.
Even before the first half ended, the match's outcome was already decided, and by the time the fifth goal exploded in the second half, everyone felt it was over.
But anticipation didn't diminish the joy one bit.
If anything, it erupted even hotter.
Even more overwhelmingly.
The stands were a sea of cheers.
Taegeukgi flags whipped through the air like flames, and the crowd clutched each other's shoulders, crying and laughing.
Even Coach Hiddink on the bench couldn't hide his excitement, throwing both arms high in the air.
Today's MVP was Ahn Jung-hwan with his hat-trick and one assist.
The moment the final whistle blew, he was bombarded with flashes from the reporters.
"Ahn Jung-hwan, what an incredible performance today! A hat-trick against Portugal, and a perfect assist to Hwang Sun-hong!"
"Thank you."
A short but relaxed reply.
"As not just a reporter but one Korean among many, I'm so happy on a day like this! Your aspirations for the main tournament, please!"
Ahn Jung-hwan took the mic and flashed his signature soft smile.
A deadly smile that could make any woman fall for him at least once.
"With our South Korea, we've gained the confidence that we can beat anyone—whether world number one, two, or three. In the main draw, we'll unite players and fans to create a festival we can all enjoy."
The reporters finished with Ahn Jung-hwan and scanned for the next interviewee.
But the other players were all swept up in excitement, running around the pitch cheering, with no one suitable for an interview in sight.
Then, their eyes caught a player sitting calmly alone on one side of the bench.
The reporters instinctively rushed toward him.
"Park Si-hyun! Can we get an interview?"
Park Si-hyun slowly raised his head.
"Sure, whatever. Go ahead."
The reporter caught his breath and continued.
"About what the Portuguese reporters said at the last interview venue, calling Korea the 'underdog' and themselves the 'strongest team.' But today's result was a 5-0 shutout win! How do you feel?"
Park Si-hyun tilted his head slightly at the question.
"...How do I feel?"
Then, the corner of his mouth slowly curved up.
"I feel great. Winning at the World Cup is always an honor for any player. Even though I didn't play—especially because I didn't play and Korea was still this strong—it's even better."
The reporters nodded.
But suddenly, Park Si-hyun's expression hardened.
He stepped forward one pace and stared straight into the camera.
"But let's get one thing straight. What we beat was Portugal. Not world number one, two, or three—number four. Today's performance shows exactly why they didn't rank higher. A team like Portugal? We should beat them, obviously."
This was why veteran reporters who had lasted in the field loved Park Si-hyun, while rookies or one- or two-year vets found him intimidating.
He always tossed them the headlines they craved, but the weight of his words was too heavy to handle easily.
The reporter conducting this interview was no different.
Only in his second year with little field experience, he froze for a moment at Park Si-hyun's response.
'...What ranking is South Korea again?'
He swallowed the question that nearly slipped out.
Thankfully, he wasn't a total newbie and avoided blurting it aloud.
Instead, he hurriedly moved to the next question.
"The round of 16 opponent has been set as Italy. What are your thoughts on facing Italy?"
Park Si-hyun thought for a moment, then flashed his signature relaxed smile.
"Fourth place was easy, so sixth-place Italy... Well, I think we can win handily."
The reporter gulped.
That answer was headline material for the world again.
But now, no one could easily criticize this man's arrogant words.
Because Park Si-hyun was the guy who always turned seemingly absurd statements into reality.
That was the Park Si-hyun the world saw now.
"So just watch the round of 16 comfortably. Victory is South Korea's anyway."
Two days after the group stage qualifier against Portugal.
The world was quieter than expected.
Of course, it had been chaos until yesterday.
The news of world number four Portugal's elimination, and South Korea and Japan both advancing as group winners, had shaken the globe.
But people adapt quickly.
The shock is brief; familiarity sets in soon.
Two days later, the world had regained its calm.
Of course, it was just the calm before the storm.
The South Korea-Italy clash was the last round of 16 match.
Tension and anticipation were slowly building.
And today.
The national team gathered in the meeting room with Coach Hiddink as always.
The analysis of their next opponent, Italy, began.
Hiddink stood at the front of the room, showing the players video footage.
Highlights from Italy's group stage matches played on the screen.
"What do you think after seeing these Italy games?"
A brief silence fell.
Then Hwang Sun-hong raised his hand.
"Their defensive line is incredibly solid. The three center-backs form a straight line that completely seals off space. Even if the ball comes from the flanks, Cannavaro covers, and Maldini organizes from behind. Vieri lays down the first press when the opponent drops deep, and on transition, they create chances with one or two long balls."
Hiddink nodded slowly.
"Right, spot on. Italy's defense is extremely solid. Cannavaro, Maldini, Nesta. And behind them, the world's best goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon. Their soccer boils down to one philosophy: If you don't concede, you don't lose."
Italy's footage played again.
The defensive line moved millimeter by millimeter,
and whenever an attack came, the back three contracted like a single mass.
"Looks perfect, doesn't it?"
Hiddink said with a smile.
"But if it really was perfect, they'd be group winners, not runners-up."
The new footage he played was Italy's sole loss: against Croatia.
After Vieri's opener, Italy's line began to waver.
Croatia's overlapping wingers pierced through twice in a row.
"The match where mighty Italy conceded two goals."
Hiddink's gaze swept over the players.
"Nothing stands out to you?"
"Coach... As time passes, Maldini's cover range narrows. He keeps up around the halfway line, but inside the box, he's half a beat late. In other words, the faster the tempo, the more the gaps open."
Hiddink's eyes flashed at Lee Sung-min's words.
"Exactly."
Hiddink pressed rewind on the remote.
In the footage, Maldini failed to track the Croatian winger's run, and the momentary gap went unclosed, leading to a goal.
"Maldini still has perfect positioning instincts as a defender. But his mobility, reaction speed, and recovery are not at their peak. Croatia spotted that and targeted the defensive gaps."
He pointed to a spot on the screen.
"Look here. 76th minute. If the line is just 5 meters late rising on flank pressure, the half-space opens, creating the second penetration timing."
Hiddink's gaze slowly swept the players again.
"Italy doesn't press; they use 'guiding defense.' They don't steal the ball directly but herd the opponent into corners and cut off passing lanes. Their strength is prediction; their weakness is pursuit."
He set down the remote and stated firmly.
"So we'll go 4-4-2 again. Don't drop the line early—press and transition immediately. The soccer they hate most: fast tempo and counterattacks."
The slide changed.
Italy's attacking plays appeared, with one man's name looming large.
"Now, onto their offense."
Hiddink's voice lowered.
"Vieri, four goals in three games. Italy's attack essentially depends on this one man."
He paused, scanning the players' faces.
"Which makes it even easier."
The players nodded.
Hiddink smiled and continued.
"Portugal was the same. All their attacks revolved around Figo, and when he was shut down, their whole tactic collapsed. Italy will crumble the same way. Block Vieri, and they'll fall apart on their own."
Hiddink's eyes were cold but filled with conviction.
"A team with one superstar looks strong on paper. But tactically, it's the most vulnerable structure. The coach always opts for the easy path over complex schemes."
His finger clicked the final slide.
A sentence marked in red appeared on the screen.
'If one is blocked, the team collapses.'