First Championship (2)
First Championship (2)
045
Incheon Haksan University Soccer Stadium.
1st leg of the semifinals, 1 hour before kickoff.
The starting lineup was displayed on the large electronic scoreboard.
Hojin University : Haksan University
GK - Choi Gyu-cheol / GK - No Hee-jeon
RB - Ha Sang-jin / RB - Kim Woo-jong
CB - Go Ji-sik / CB - Kim Geon-woo
CB - Oh Sang-tae / CB - Park Sang-cheol
LB - Kim Young-hyo / LB - Lee Cheol-gi
DM - Chae Yong-jin / RL - Yoo Ji-hyeok
CM - Kim Ki-soo / CM - Kim Moo-song
CM - Yoon Hyeok / CM - Choi Chan-gi
RW - Lee Gyu-sik / ML - Kim Yo-han
LF - Hong Min-jun / CF - Park Gi-hoon
CF - Na Jin-ho / CF - Kang Cheol-han
As the starting formations were announced—4-3-3 for Hojin University and 4-4-2 for Haksan University—a group of women huddled together in one corner of the stands erupted into cheers all at once.
"Kyaa! Min-jun oppa is starting!"
"Min-jun should obviously be starting."
"Unnie, this is my first time seeing Min-jun oppa play, is he really more handsome than in his photos?"
"I brought my dad's camera~"
It was a passionate cheer that was hard to imagine for a university soccer team that had failed to form its own supporters' group. While there had been efforts to create supporters, the reality was bleak; even the professional K-League struggled with engagement, let alone the university league.
In a grim reality where the only spectators were officials or the occasional school cheering squad, the group of women occupying the otherwise empty stands caught the players' eyes.
"What's up with them? Why are there so many women gathered there?"
"Whose girlfriend is it? Did they all come together?"
"Hyung... I'm a forever-single."
"...Me too."
"Ah, you bastards... Then what are they?"
Unlike the Hojin University players, who seemed used to it and remained indifferent, the Haksan University players were bewildered. What on earth were female spectators doing at a university soccer match? And not just one player's girlfriend, but a whole group like that.
"They don't look like the cheering squad... They even hung up a placard. Hong... Min-jun? Hong Min-jun? Who's Hong Min-jun?"
"Isn't that him? Number 15."
"...Fuck."
They were quick to grasp the situation. Since he was just lightly passing the ball around to check his condition, but his self-luminous beauty was exuding an overwhelming presence.
"I've heard a rumor... no, a legend. They said back when the 'Troika'—those handsome seniors—played, women used to flock like this... How is this actually happening?"
Even though the university league is famous for its empty stands, there are always exceptions. Sometimes, a player with outstanding skills and looks draws the crowd. Just like Hojin University right now.
"...That bastard is the culprit."
"He's the guy favored to be the tournament MVP. Ha, it's so fucking annoying. Why is he good at soccer when he's already got the looks?"
"Jekkosam..."
"What's that?"
"Please let his dick be three centimeters..."
Despite it being a home game, the Haksan University players steeled their resolve for victory against the one-sided support pouring out for the opposing team—or rather, for one specific player.
However, willpower alone couldn't solve everything.
"Oh...! A great pass from number 13, Yoon Hyeok! Number 15, Hong Min-jun, has the ball and he's running! Wow~ he's so fast!"
Han So-young, who was doing a personal broadcast in the corner, quickly operated her camcorder to zoom in on the screen.
It looked like he was just lightly tapping the ball forward, but the way his opponents were unable to do anything and kept getting bypassed was so strange that countless hooks appeared in the chat window.
—???
—What? Why is he getting past them so easily?
—Ah lol, that's the university league level for you lololol
—So-young, this is boring, let's review overseas soccer.
—But seriously, what is he? Lol, he's playing Messi by himself.
—"Je" (wrong) "Jae" (right), you idiot.
—Grammar Nazi, get out.
Watching Hong Min-jun navigate the enemy camp like a highlight reel of a famous player, Han So-young forgot to explain for a moment and just stared blankly. It was frustrating that only those who knew could see how much talent was hidden in those light movements.
"...Guys, I've told you over and over, that's actually amazing, you know? He's retired now, but there used to be a player named Hazard at Chelsea. People who know soccer from around the time of Son Heung-min should know him, right? Anyway, that player was a bit... well, he was struggling a lot during his Real Madrid days, but in his prime, he tore up the EPL. If you watch that player's dribbling back then, it looks like nothing special, but he just gets past everyone! He just weaves through everyone. To us, it looks like nothing, but that's actually incredibly impressive."
—This is a bit;;
—So-young, no matter how much you've fallen for number 15's face, that's going too far lololol
—Wow~ Comparing a university leaguer to Chelsea-era Hazard lol, where's your conscience?
—Is there really a soccer expert YouTuber who compares a non-pro university leaguer to Hazard!? Lmao.
As expected, the barrage of ridicule began. But Han So-young didn't give in. She had long since gotten used to the viewers' mockery.
"Guys, just you wait. When Hong Min-jun becomes famous later, you're all dead."
—Hahahahahaha
—Yeah, that's not gonna happen.
Meanwhile, Hong Min-jun, who received the ball on the left side of the penalty box, instantly bypassed two players and scored a goal.
A concise upper-body feint followed by a shot aimed well into the corner of the goal.
"Wow! Wow! Goal!! See! What did I tell you!! I told you he's good!!"
—What's up with So-young lately;; She keeps chasing after university leaguers.
—Ah, boring.
—Fun.
—Lol, idiots lol.
—Leave her alone, So-young is just a face-stan~ She'd give her liver and gallbladder to number 15~
Amidst the chaos of Han So-young jumping up and down and the mocking chat from viewers, a cold voice cut in.
"Excuse me. It's been noisy for a while now."
"...I'm sorry, as always."
—Wow, holy crap~ A beauty appears.
—Ah lol, I come to So-young's broadcast to see this noona lol.
—She's crazy (insanely pretty).
—Who is she? Is she a celebrity??
—No, just a regular person, I think?
—But why does everyone seem to know her, you bastards.
—She appears on So-young's broadcast every time lololol.
—Does she just appear? Lol, every time So-young gets excited and makes a fuss, she gets told off~ lol.
—?? Then that woman comes to watch these kinds of matches every time too?
—Huh? That's right??
—Don't tell me, to see number 15?
—F*ck, lookism... I'm going to go commit suicide.
Until just before the start of the 1st leg of the semifinals, the experts' evaluation was that it was an even match.
Many people were surprised and praised Hojin University for advancing to the semifinals as a sudden dark horse, even though they were expected to be lucky just to make it to the main tournament, let alone the semifinals. However, the majority still focused on the fact that a few conditions had aligned rather than placing Hojin University in the ranks of strong teams.
First, Coach Na Geon-seong's pragmatic tactics.
It's called pragmatic, but it's ultimately Coach Na Geon-seong's signature defensive-oriented tactic—the attitude of sitting deep, focusing on defense, and occasionally counterattacking—which is useful in tournaments.
Second, that they are an underdog team evaluated as weak in terms of power.
And third, that they have a squad of players specialized in counterattacks.
In other words, experts evaluated that Hojin University achieved good results because the teams that underestimated them played aggressively, matching Coach Na Geon-seong's unique tactical style and the players suited for it.
This was plausible, as the teams that met Hojin University in the main tournament all took an aggressive stance. Hojin University, in response, held on with their solid defense and scored a goal in a single counterattack—a simple pattern.
This was a story based on the premise that the opponent underestimated Hojin University and got hit hard. Since Hojin University's whirlwind didn't stop in the main tournament and continued past the round of 16 to the quarterfinals and semifinals, the consensus among experts was that opponents wouldn't underestimate them anymore.
Moreover, isn't the semifinal opponent, Haksan University, also a team with a tactical concept of defense-first, counterattack-second?
Haksan University's signature 4-4-2 tactic was a Simeone-style 4-4-2 that once caused a sensation in La Liga, a counterattack-oriented team based on a thick two-line defense.
If teams with similar concepts—defense-focused counterattacks, even if the detailed instructions differ—clash when they no longer underestimate each other, the outcome is bound to be decided by the quality of the players.
Experts predicted the superiority of the prestigious Haksan University, a regular in the championship tournament.
But now, 20 minutes into the first half. Contrary to the experts' evaluation, Haksan University was being unilaterally beaten.
'Lee Cheol-gi. 4th year. They say he's a strong candidate for a pro career with decent speed, solid defensive ability, and good crossing ability.'
Lee Cheol-gi, Haksan University's left defender, was the one clashing at every turn with Hong Min-jun, who came out as the left-side attacker.
This 4th-year player, who boasts good physicality and man-marking ability as a rare left-footed side defender, and whose crosses are useful enough that many pro teams covet him despite his lack of attacking ability, was sweating profusely with a look of half-shattered mentality.
"Pass!"
The ball came long from the defensive line at Hong Min-jun's active call.
The defensive line wasn't very high to begin with, but since they kept getting pushed back, the Haksan University defensive line had sunk even lower, so there was no space behind to run into. Naturally, he had to compete with the opposing defender who stuck to him before the ball even dropped, but even while being pushed in the physical fight, Hong Min-jun succeeded in receiving the ball.
Thump!
Even while losing his balance and falling from the rough contest, the ball he barely trapped with the tip of his toe passed over the opponent's head. While the opponent, who had momentarily lost the ball due to the contest, was looking around late, Hong Min-jun, who had quickly regained his balance like a roly-poly toy, kicked off the ground roughly.
Tap-tap-tap, the opposing player who turned his head at the sound of running had an "oops" expression as he chased after him, and in front, Lee Cheol-gi was waiting, gritting his teeth and running to meet him.
The bounced-up ball came down, and he was surrounded front and back.
The falling ball settled on Hong Min-jun's right foot like a feather, and the moment Lee Cheol-gi hesitated at the upper-body feint that shook left and right.
Spin—
As the player who followed behind extended his foot as if he had eyes in the back of his head, Hong Min-jun's body turned in a semicircle, passing Lee Cheol-gi, whose speed had died.
"Ugh!?"
"Whoa!"
While the two players were tangled up, unable to deal with the sudden change in the situation, Hong Min-jun, who had leisurely escaped that spot, glanced around the penalty area.
"Block him! Stick to him!"
"Fuck, again!"
The moment the center-backs, who still had the vivid memory of the opening goal, rushed in, the ball rolled through the gap between their legs.
"What...?"
While everyone's gaze was directed at Hong Min-jun, the ball went to right winger Lee Gyu-sik, who had penetrated into the empty space.
Beep, bee-beep!!
With the goalkeeper even leaning to the left to narrow the angle. Although Lee Gyu-sik's finishing wasn't that great, it wasn't so bad that he couldn't put a pass delivered in the direction he was running into an empty goal, so his powerful shot soared and dropped as if to pierce the net.
2:0.
The moment the goal went in.
No, the moment no one could control the rampaging Hong Min-jun, the game was already over.