Friendly Match Against the Olympic National Team (3)
Friendly Match Against the Olympic National Team (3)
037
In the past, the backbone of the Olympic national team consisted of college leaguers.
Since there is no mandatory release obligation for the Olympics, professional teams were stingy about releasing players, but above all, it was because young players under 23 who had advanced to the pros couldn't get proper playing time.
Except for a very small number of young players with overwhelming talent, it is difficult for inexperienced young players to surpass veteran players, and furthermore, coaches whose livelihoods depend on results are bound to employ reliable veterans rather than take the risk of fielding young players.
Meanwhile, the U22 Rule introduced in the K-League opened up opportunities for young players who advanced to the pro league to play in matches regularly.
There was much criticism of the rule that mandatorily stipulated the selection of players aged 22 or under, but in conclusion, it was a huge boon for the Olympic national team, and based on this, the core of the national team shifted from college leaguers to professional team players.
Even though there is no mandatory release obligation for the Olympics, given the climate in South Korea, what team would refuse a national team request? Naturally, the national team could at least call up key players as long as they were playing in the domestic league, so the current Olympic national team was also mostly composed of professionals.
Out of the 23 members currently called up to the Olympic national team, only 6 are college leaguers.
"6 people is still more than I thought."
"Because the coach changed."
As I followed the chin gesture of Yoon-hyeok sunbae, who was heading onto the field ahead of the start of the match, I could see the national team coach.
"The previous coach resigned suddenly due to a worsening chronic illness. So, the current coach hurriedly took the helm."
This year is the year the Olympics are held.
In other words, the captain of the national team changed right before the opening of the Olympics.
It wasn't due to poor performance or controversy, and since the coach was resigning due to illness, what could be done?
That's how the current coach, Gong Jeon-seong, was suddenly appointed as a firefighter.
Since the media was so noisy, it became known that the coach is only 40 years old this year, that he spent quite a long time coaching in Europe, and that he is rumored to be an eccentric.
Looking at him now... his face, worn out with fatigue as if he'd pulled several all-nighters, and his disheveled hair definitely give off an eccentric vibe.
"Since he was appointed suddenly, he probably wants to check as many players as possible. I heard the coaching staff was completely changed, too. The tactics will probably change a lot, right?"
"Nah, how different could it be? Tactics are all much the same."
"Well... my guess is it'll be very different. They say that coach is a tactical fanatic."
Yoon-hyeok sunbae left for his position.
...It feels strangely unsettling.
Contrary to my worries, the match went smoothly.
They say this is the second call-up since the current coach took office, and surprisingly, the teamwork is decent. However, it's only at the level of 'not bad,' and I can't even say it's good as a polite lie.
Since the national team isn't an environment where they can gather and practice every day like a club team, if they have this level of teamwork by the second call-up, he must have some ability.
"Opposite! Open it up to the other side!!"
As our team's right winger Lee Gyu-sik sunbae and right fullback Ha Sang-jin sunbae spread out wide to the right, drawing the national team players in, Yoon-hyeok sunbae gave instructions.
"This way!"
As Yoon-hyeok sunbae, who had penetrated the widened space, received the pass, the national team applied pressure.
Yoon-hyeok sunbae, who quickly turned his back and held his ground, sprayed a long pass without even looking toward the opposite flank, in the direction I was running.
The ball dropped exactly in front of the space I was running into.
As expected of Yoon-hyeok sunbae.
While the national team players were rushing back, the center-back stood in the way, keeping his distance to buy time.
Was this the player who supposedly plays for Gyeongnam in the 2nd division? Perhaps because he has professional experience, he seems to be checking me quite skillfully, but—
Tatak!
I burst forward through the gap where the center-back's balance had collapsed after falling for a momentary feint.
As I bypassed the center-back, the goal filled my vision.
I easily bypassed even the rushing goalkeeper with a spin, a Marseille turn, and leisurely put the ball into the empty net.
Beep, bee-eep!!
The referee's whistle signaling the goal.
As I high-fived the sunbaes and glanced at the bench, I saw our coach jumping up and down and the national team coach stroking his chin with a puzzled expression.
'What the. Why is his expression like that?'
Even after seeing my flashy dribbling breakthrough, his expression is really strange.
"Hmm."
Gong Jeon-seong stroked his rough chin and tilted his head.
It had only been a month and a half since he was appointed as the Olympic national team coach.
Fortunately, the previous coach had resigned after confirming the Olympic finals qualification, so he could breathe a sigh of relief, but that didn't mean he had any breathing room.
The finals are right around the corner, and he's in a situation where he has to start by analyzing the players.
While others are finalizing their rosters and working on teamwork, he is still sifting through the rough. That's why he called up as many as 23 players this time.
"Why are you like that, Coach?"
At the question of assistant coach Han Ji-hoon, Gong Jeon-seong just tilted his head.
"I think I understand why the assistant coach arranged a match with this team."
They were fine when the previous coach resigned, but as soon as he was appointed, the coaching staff resigned en masse.
The reason is obvious.
With the coach resigning right before the Olympics, they must have expected the assistant coach to take over the managerial position. However, the association's choice was not the assistant coach, but himself, an outsider.
With even the coaching staff leaving like that, Gong Jeon-seong faced a frustrating situation where he had to find a new coaching staff from scratch.
Well, thanks to that, the shadow of his predecessor was wiped out... but if there was a side effect, it was that the data previously built up had also evaporated.
Although the data as documents remained, Gong Jeon-seong, who decided to examine each one himself rather than trust that, first filled the staff.
As assistant coach, he chose Han Ji-hoon, whom he met while coaching in Europe.
As expected, his judgment wasn't wrong; hadn't he brought in a good player less than a month after being appointed?
"The assistant coach's eye for talent is amazing. College league... I never imagined that a gem would be hidden in a college league in such an isolated region. I never imagined it."
"That's a relief. I was worried it wouldn't meet your standards, Coach. As expected, that one over there..."
Han Ji-hoon, who was about to say, "Player number 15 is good, right?", shut his mouth.
"Yes. That player number 13. His name is... Yoon-hyeok? This kid is amazing."
"Ha, haha. Right! Player number 13, Yoon-hyeok! He's top-notch. And isn't that player number 15 also good?"
Han Ji-hoon swallowed a sigh.
What a hassle this is because of this daughter of mine.
He was swayed by his daughter's sales pitch and arranged the friendly match with Hojin University.
Well, even though he says this, he had thoroughly analyzed them through videos, and he also had to find players the coach would like.
And the number 15 he saw in reality was indeed worth the recommendation of his high-standard daughter.
"Hmm... Number 15. Player Hong Min-jun."
However, the coach just tilted his head, wondering what he was dissatisfied with, and then,
"Let's see. Shall we test him?"
He gestured toward the players.
At the agreed-upon instruction, one player stuck right next to number 15 and started following him around.
'Man-marking?'
Han Ji-hoon glanced at the coach's face.
Man-marking isn't a particularly difficult tactic. It's just assigning one of your own players to guard a threatening opposing player.
But thinking about it the other way, your own player is also tied up by the opposing player.
The more precise the tactics, the more important each player's movement is, and if you apply man-marking, one gear is blown wide open.
It's not even situational pressure, but man-marking.
It's a method not used unless the opposing player is quite threatening, but after only 5 minutes in the first half?
'Did he already notice number 15's individual skill?'
As a result of analyzing the videos due to his daughter's pestering, number 15's individual skill is insane. If there hadn't been the coach's instruction, he had planned to watch a little more and then quietly suggest it, but he is indeed sharp.
However, if it's the number 15 he identified... he wouldn't be able to be stopped by man-marking from a player of that level.
Watching number 15 showing light movements, Han Ji-hoon leisurely observed the coach's expression.
13th minute of the first half.
This time, too, it started from the feet of jersey number 13, Yoon-hyeok.
Yoon-hyeok, who read the opponent's passing route, lightly stole the ball and immediately spread it wide to the other side.
Toward number 15, Hong Min-jun, who started running as soon as Yoon-hyeok cut the pass.
Even though it was a ball that was quite difficult to receive, number 15 succeeded in a smooth trap, bypassed the player who was man-marking him with a light upper body feint, and penetrated the formation at an incredible speed.
As the thought that it was impossible arose at the absurd sight of him rushing toward a narrow space packed with defenders, number 15's feet moved like lightning.
The ball moving between both feet in an instant. Number 15's shot, which broke through two defenders with an unbelievable La Croqueta, unfortunately flew into the air, but no one could heave a sigh of relief.
"Ph, Phantom Dribble? In a real match?"
Han Ji-hoon smiled secretly at the muttering of the players watching from the bench.
As expected of my daughter, no, my judgment wasn't wrong.
He tried to erase his smile and observed the coach.
'...Huh?'
He thought he would be able to see a surprised expression, even if his jaw didn't drop, but he was mistaken.
Wasn't the coach calmly nodding his head?
"As expected."
The coach, who was nodding his head to himself wondering what he was thinking, gestured again.
The national team players, who had been dazed by the unbelievable fantastic play, came to their senses and adjusted their formation again according to the coach's instructions,
'Man-marking number 13 this time?'
He was putting man-marking on number 13, leaving aside number 15 who had just shown an incredible breakthrough.
Han Ji-hoon was truly surprised this time.
'He figured it out at once?'
A fact he himself had found out only after watching several matches.
The core that had been hidden by the flashy dribbling breakthrough.
Because he had grasped the part hidden by number 15, who shows tremendous impact, at once.
After the target of the man-marking changed, Hojin University was silent for the remaining 20 minutes of the first half.
Number 15's flashy dribbling breakthrough also lost its power without number 13's assistance, and since the two people who are practically the core of Hojin University's attack were silent, Hojin University's performance itself sank.
The coach nodded his head to himself again.
"Number 13 has talent. If he just supplements his press resistance ability, he'll work out in Europe too."
"How about number 15?"
"He's only half a player."
The coach asserted without a moment's hesitation.
"A typical player who can only perform in tactics that suit him."
"Then...?"
At Han Ji-hoon's question, the coach lifted his gaze.
The players standing on the ground for the start of the second half.
"Full of flaws. I don't know about a club team, but there's no place for that player on my national team. Maybe who knows. If he shows a different side in the second half."
The referee's whistle blew, and the second half began.
Han Ji-hoon's eyes widened while watching the stadium, hiding his regretful heart.
"...Uh? His movements have changed?"
"Hmm."
The coach's mouth, which had been watching while stroking his chin, gradually opened.
Watching number 15, Hong Min-jun, who was showing a change that could make one say he was a different person from the first half, Han Ji-hoon could hear the words the coach was muttering.
"Is that guy... a genius...?"
"Whoa."
"No. A genius. He's definitely a genius!"
'......'
I don't know what happened, but for now, it seems like my daughter's wish will be fulfilled.