Step Up (6)
Step Up (6)
034
After scoring the goal to close the gap, our team, riding the momentum, relentlessly pushed Ji-hak University.
Yoon-hyeok senior's movement was especially sharp; his off-the-ball play, freely moving from the opponent's penalty box to our defensive line to create space, was so effective that even I found it fascinating to watch.
By drawing in opposing players to create space, and conversely, cleverly avoiding their gaze to penetrate, his threatening movements left the Ji-hak University defense wide open.
The continuous threatening attacks finally bore fruit in the 16th minute of the second half.
Following the goal I scored in the 10th minute of the second half, Yoon-hyeok senior's equalizer exploded onto the scene.
This goal was also created by Yoon-hyeok senior's signature clever movement; as I approached with the ball, hesitating, the opposing team's gaze shifted to me for a moment, and in that gap, Yoon-hyeok senior slipped behind the opposing defender and penetrated into the empty space.
His movement was so good that a simple pass became an assist for the equalizer. Then, in the 25th minute of the second half, I received a pass from Yoon-hyeok senior, dribbled past two players, returned it, and Yoon-hyeok senior's shot was blocked by the goalkeeper, but Na Jin-ho senior finished the rebound for the go-ahead goal.
Having conceded three goals in a row, Ji-hak University's mentality completely shattered, and taking advantage of their collapsed organization, I even attempted a half-line dribble.
I thought I might score a [Wonder Goal] by dribbling past a whopping 5 players from the half-line to the opponent's penalty area... but unfortunately, I failed. Still, I left the ground as a substitute, leaving behind a scene that was practically a [Wonder Goal].
In truth, that was me wringing out my last bit of stamina, so if I had stayed on any longer, I would've just been a liability.
With Ji-hak University completely collapsed and our team low on stamina, we spent the rest of the time in a lull, and the match ended in a dramatic 3:2 comeback victory for our team.
Seeing Hojin University's movement change in the second half, So-young was explaining the tactical changes to change the atmosphere of the chat room when the goal to close the gap exploded.
"Wow... crazy... seriously crazy. Did you guys see that? Just now, did you see that just now!"
A goal scored after successfully pulling off two insane [Trapping] maneuvers in a row.
A similar scene flashed through the mind of So-young, the soccer fanatic.
"This is that! Bergkamp! Bergkamp turn!!"
Bergkamp's goal of a lifetime from the Arsenal vs. Newcastle match held on March 2, 2002. That scene, where he received Pires' pass and scored with an unbelievable [Trapping] maneuver, flashed through So-young's mind.
—LOL crazy
—Bergkamp? Bergkamp? LOL
—Wow, damn, it was cool, but don't compare him to Bergkamp LOL
—So-young... I can't defend this one.
The chat room was on fire.
But So-young was burning even brighter.
"No, seriously! Guys, this is really amazing, okay? Even that player succeeded in two incredible [Trapping] maneuvers in a row! In that short moment, the balance shift, agility, [Trapping]... this seriously makes no sense!"
—Calm down lol
—Ah... even I, a die-hard So-young fan, am having a hard time with this;;
—Bergkamp is probably laughing LOL
—LOLOLOLOLOL
So-young, hitting her chest in frustration, was busy explaining just how amazing it was when, in the meantime, the equalizer exploded.
"Wow! Wow! Goal! The equalizer just exploded in an instant!"
—LOL it's a total mess
—College league level is terrifying lol
—Is the running around like headless chickens for real? LOL It looks so amateurish.
Looking at the chat room full of mocking comments, So-young opened her mouth bluntly.
"Everyone. Seriously, watch the game properly. Hojin University is actually surprisingly well-structured. That midfielder is especially good. Jersey number 13."
So-young had tactical insight.
It wasn't just because she was a soccer fanatic.
Her grandfather was a national team player, and her father, while never wearing the Taegeuk mark, played in European leagues for 6 years, half of his 12-year professional career. Although not in the top 5 leagues, he played in Europe for 6 years, received coaching training, and is currently serving as a national team coach, and her older brother is an active national team player.
Naturally, So-young's life had been full of soccer since she was young.
Especially from listening in on the side while her father received coaching education, she had gained a fair amount of tactical insight, even if it was just scratching the surface. To So-young, it looked like Hojin University's tactics weren't necessarily well-structured, but rather that a few key players were elevating the completeness of the tactics.
Of course, it was difficult to explain that.
"Ah, seriously! Guys! I'm telling you, it's real! When have I ever lied?"
—True, So-young doesn't lie
—For real, she's just wrong
—LOL
—Stop beating her up, So-young is going to cry LOL
Aaaargh!!
Screaming out of frustration at the viewers who couldn't understand even when explained, and at her own shallow knowledge that couldn't clearly explain the tactical movements, a woman sitting far away frowned.
"So, sorry."
"Hmph."
A woman in a strange outfit, wearing a black ball cap pulled low and even a mask, haughtily snorted and crossed her slender legs.
—Oh my
—Pya pya pya
—Wow kya pya~
—?? Why are you guys like this??
—If you don't know, just type "real lol"
—Can't you tell just by looking? She's fucking pretty
—She's covered up, how can you tell just by looking, you idiot lol
The chat room, which had calmed down somewhat, flared up again at the flashy [Dribbling] breakthrough that led to the comeback goal, and completely exploded at the half-line breakthrough just before the final substitution.
"Did you see!! Did you see!!? I told you!! He's the real deal!!"
—Wow... this is seriously awesome
—He's playing soccer by himself lol
—Ah, but we need to check the opponent's level for this too
—Still, that last one was for real
"Right!? Right!? He's the real deal! Seeing him in person, his center of gravity shifts so quickly... Oh~ it's no joke. The way he dribbles is just like the South American kids."
—?? Is it different?
"It is different! Look, [Dribbling] isn't just about handling the ball well. Basically, you need good ball control and a good sense of balance. Plus, South American kids have a unique rhythm, you know? Like, their center of gravity shifts, moving unpredictably this way and that. That's not something you can just copy if you want to, but he can do it!"
—Oh
—Oh 2
—5!
—I don't know what she's talking about
—Just understand that it's amazing lol
—Real lol
After the match ended, So-young, who was extremely excited, pondered while returning home.
How could she make others understand her excitement?
It wasn't simply because jersey number 15, who excited her, was handsome.
...Honestly, that was a big part of it, but anyway, she was definitely, absolutely not doing this just because of his looks.
Born into a soccer family and having lived for 26 years, how many players had she seen, and how many matches had she watched?
In So-young's view, he would definitely make it big. He was truly a gem buried in the mud, a treasure whose true value hadn't been revealed yet.
She checked the footage several times, rewatching it, and it was certain.
With these looks and this level of skill. In just 1-2 years, he'll be a star.
And she would be the person who recognized his true value when he was just an unknown prospect!!
Extremely excited, So-young arrived home after more than 4 hours and immediately got to work.
Having started streaming and learned video editing, she spent a few hours skillfully refining the match footage she had recorded.
After editing them into a thumbnail version, a short clip version, a highlight-focused version, and a fairly long detailed analysis version, and uploading them to her channel, YouTube, and soccer communities, So-young collapsed onto her bed and fell asleep from the overwhelming fatigue.
After sleeping soundly for 12 hours straight, she woke up to her stomach growling, ate a late lunch, and while brushing her teeth, turned on her phone. So-young's jaw dropped as she saw the countless notifications.
"What is this? Is it a dream?"
At first, wondering if some incident had occurred, So-young quickly checked the notifications, then clenched her fists and cheered.
"That's it!! I told you it would blow up! This is it!!"
The video she had spent hours editing had gone viral.
A heavy voice caught So-young as she came out of the bathroom, beaming with joy.
"Daughter!"
"Dad?"
"What is this? Where did you get this video?"
Her dad, who was resting at home for a change, showed her the video playing on his tablet PC.
It was none other than the video So-young had uploaded.
"Dad! I told you not to secretly watch my channel!"
"Ahem. Secretly? Come on, a dad can watch his daughter's channel."
Avoiding his daughter's glaring gaze, her dad asked casually.
"So. Who is this guy?"
"Who do you think? It's the prospect you talked about before."
"...Me?"
"Yes! The player you said was chewing up the college league!"
"...Ah, ah~! That Hojin University one?"
Watching her dad stroke his chin and fall into thought, So-young smiled slightly.
"How is it? Is he good enough to be selected?"
"Selected, my foot. You think he'd be selected just for playing well in one game?"
"No, seriously! You should check him out. See if I'm right or wrong."
Around the time the first half of the season was coming to an end.
Hojin University was continuing a winning streak of 10 wins in 10 matches. An absolutely overwhelming record with not a single loss or draw.
Riding the momentum after the dramatic comeback victory last time, Hojin University continued to crush the [Preliminary League] with overwhelming performance even when rotating players for injury or stamina management, securing their spot in the [National League] early on. Soccer team manager Na Geon-seong had never been this happy in the last few years.
"Kya~ maybe they'll cause an upset in the finals too. Hey, Head Coach! How are the kids doing?"
"They're doing great."
"That Hong Min-jun is a real gem. How did a guy like that end up joining us?"
"It's all thanks to your eye for talent, Manager. You were the one who selected and scouted Min-jun."
"Kya~ right? Right? I knew it the moment I saw him!"
"But it's strange. Why was a kid with such great skills so sluggish in high school?"
"Hey! It's because he's under me that his potential exploded!"
"Yeah~ yeah~"
When the manager and Head Coach, who had returned to the office after easily winning today's match as well, were chatting with big smiles,
"...What is this? Am I seeing things?"
The manager, who had received the paper spewed out by the fax machine, blinked his eyes.
"What's wrong, Manager? Huh? KFA? This is the [Korea Football Association]. Why would they send an official document from here..."
The Head Coach, who had taken the paper from the manager's hand, had his eyes widen as if they were going to pop out.
"U23... A [Friendly Match] with the U23? Isn't this the [Olympic National Team]!?"