Chapter 10: Slacking Off (Part 2)
Slacking off—that's the term for half-assing your work or studies out of laziness.
It's usually a tactic laborers use in strikes to protest management and get what they want.
In soccer, it's what you call it when a player's heart isn't in the game and they just go through the motions.
Like that guy over there.
Miguel doesn't seem to notice me trash-talking him behind his back as he wanders aimlessly across the pitch.
He looks just like a lion prowling the savanna. Does that make me a lioness? I'm busting my ass out here, after all.
What Miguel does in a match is simple: he collects the ball, swings his legs around wildly, and when an opportunity arises, he gets greedy.
Fine, whatever. If he scores with that style, great. Ronaldo and Messi don't run much either, but they rack up the goals.
But if you're shit at it, then quit. Just give up already. I shouldn't have expected anything. I thought at least he'd try hard like a normal person.
And yet... Paulo was right.
Man, I miss Paulo today. Get better soon.
This match is our home opener. The opponents are Seongnam Crows.
They're no pushovers, but it's our home opener. We had to put on a decent show, at least.
The first half started off okay. We pressed them hard with the same pattern that beat Bucheon Metros.
The only reason we didn't score was one guy desperate to get to Japan.
Where did that player who hustled with the high press at the opener disappear to?
Vanished in just five days. He must've been kidnapped into some pocket universe from a movie.
Can he not play? Nah, that's not it. Even when he's slacking, he looks decent compared to our other attacking options.
The problem is he can't focus when it matters. Thanks to Miguel, our momentum slowly flipped.
Missing those key chances let Seongnam Crows spread their wings again.
And who helped them do that? Everyone can guess—Miguel.
In a corner kick defense, he suddenly lost it and elbowed an opponent.
"Aaaagh!"
The other player screamed and rolled around on the turf.
It was obvious Hollywood acting, but Miguel gave him the opening. His fault.
"Come on, that's not a penalty. It wasn't even intentional."
Chaewoo hyung stuck to the ref with shameless charm.
"Hey, why's that a foul? Get that guy up already."
Dojin hyung traded barbs with the opponents.
Perfect division of labor, but the ref headed to check VAR anyway.
Eunsang and I pulled our best aggrieved faces next to Chaewoo hyung, but no dice.
After tense minutes, the ref grabbed the mic on the pitch.
"Penalty kick awarded due to Miguel's foul inside the box."
Cheers and boos erupted from the stands simultaneously amid the chaos. The penalty was official.
We had to rely on veteran Hyeongjin hyung, who was in top form for the opener.
As everyone watched him expectantly...
He picked his spot and dove full force.
Splash!
Too bad it was the wrong way.
From then on, the game turned weird. Everyone except Miguel started fuming.
"Go kill Miguel for me."
"Huh?"
"Unless you wanna see your sweeper-keeper self charge up and smash his head. Go do it now."
Hyeongjin hyung gritted his teeth, passed me the ball, and cracked a forced joke.
It's a joke, right?
But even a sweeper-keeper shouldn't rush that far up. And you're not even one.
I thought that as I jogged to the center circle.
Miguel was in front of me, looking a bit more alert.
Not fully, though. His greed and ball-hogging were still there. At least he's running hard now. Small mercies.
The rest of the game was a total disaster. I hate the word "momentum," but we got steamrolled.
Once it got this bad, flipping the script was tough. We trudged to the locker room without a comeback.
After that ridiculous goal, we got dragged around, so the mood was sour.
"Did you all forget what I said last time? If a third division pops up soon, we'll get relegated. Is this a team? Huh? One goal conceded? Fine, that happens. But since when were we a powerhouse that panics over a single score?"
Coach's wrath hit right away.
We'd been poor overall, not just Miguel, so it was deserved.
"And Miguel, are you sane? Already in Japan? We tolerate your antics because your skill backs it up. If not, I have no reason to play you."
Miguel got double the roasting. Now he's getting called out bluntly.
Watching him get shredded, I felt zero pity. Should've acted right.
He eventually got subbed. Deserved. If Gimpo had deeper squad, he'd have been gone earlier.
I don't get why negotiations are dragging. Body value disputes? What's the holdup?
"Haa..."
I sighed deeply heading back out. The opener felt so good.
Is this why they say your first impression sets the tone?
Second half brought in Donghan hyung and backup prospect striker Yoominsu.
Donghan hyung's meshing better. He'll start soon...
Seriously, he's a hundred times better than Miguel. Never wanna play with that guy again.
Unlike my optimism, the game looked grim. Minsu, replacing Miguel, was floundering.
He's hustling hard. Can't fault that. But honestly? I miss Miguel a bit.
Too tense, maybe? Overthinking it.
"Minsu!"
Surrounded by defenders, I lofted it to him.
Whiff!
"Ugh! Sorry!"
"Nah, it's fine. Good job. Keep it up!"
Even when he botches a sitter like that, what can you say? Truth is, he's and Yeojun both fall short.
What's creepier? No other decent prospects. Just sighs.
Junkyung hyung and I kept creating chances, some I shot myself, but no goals.
Minsu couldn't exploit the space when defenders marked me.
Sudden sub, he's lost.
"Urk!"
Another simple pass deflected off Yoominsu's studs.
His spikes skidded on grass; opponent's midfielder pounced.
With our line pushed up for a comeback, turnovers like this kill.
"Focus! Counter!!"
Dojin hyung bellowed...
Splash!
Easy goal. We hung our heads. Stands went library-quiet.
Away fans' cheers rang like tinnitus.
"It's okay! Time left!"
"Shake it off!"
Veterans like Chaewoo hyung snapped us out of it.
Yeah, not over. Draw's possible; maybe even a goal?
Post-goal chaos settled. Finally, opener-level organized defense.
Dojin hyung intercepted smoothly, fed Geunhyeong hyung ahead.
Geunhyeong hyung scanned, locked eyes with me.
"Olmunt!"
I accelerated, hand up. Seongnam marked me and Junkyung hyung tight.
Marking doesn't stop speed they can't match.
Minsu loitered center. Useless now.
I'll handle it. Took Geunhyeong hyung's long ball, weaved past defender, drove forward.
Beat physicality with pace.
Try catching me. Gritted teeth, sprinted.
First straight-line burst this game.
Needed simple direction changes over flair.
I'm fast baseline; mix decel-accel, bypassed tiring Seongnam players late.
Suddenly, just the keeper. He'd been godlike today.
Splash!
Even Pele couldn't save that.
86th minute equalizer salvaged face. Game over.
Hoped for rebound, but tougher than thought.
Next, Busan Royal Red. I scored a slick turning shot at 10'.
Team lost limp 3-1. Same story: Jeonnam Blue Dragons, I scored solo; team lost.
K Cup opener? Drew hated Incheon Pelicans. Coach rested starters, forfeited basically.
From opener hype to four straight losses—brutal.
Standouts: young players slumping, Miguel slacking.
Miguel's a constant. Duo prospects off-form.
Turnovers from Yeojun/Minsu spark counters, costing goals.
Others flawed too, but preseason says they're best. Sad.
Rest 'em if off? K-League mandates U-22 quota for subs/bench, so no choice.
"Minsu, it's cool. Nail it next time."
Minsu gets Chaewoo hyung's pep talks daily, always teary. Needs to step up. Reminds me of my old self.
Loss streak drags gloom to training.
"Chilly vibe, huh."
Whoa! Donghan hyung slapped my shoulder.
He's quirky but solid. Why's he a beast on pitch? Scary.
"You'll start next. 1v1 me."
"Huh?"
Shit's real scary. SOS eyes to Dojin hyung.
"Hyung, go easy. If Olmunt gets hurt, we're screwed."
"Dojin, I'm rough, not injurious."
"Sure. No injuries. But two reds a season?"
Dojin hyung backed me. Donghan hyung glared at, tucked tail, fled.
Pfft.
Laughter escaped. Veterans' trick to lighten mood?
Everyone chuckled. Gloom lifted. Just win now.
Gurgle.
Ugh, stomach cramps. Bad dinner?
"Hey, where? 1v1 time!"
"TOILET!"
Foreigner perk: yell vague, bolt to bathroom.
Ah... better.
Relief brings thoughts.
Why keep Miguel? I'd have a replacement by now.
He's top foreign in D2, but replaceable.
Paulo back soon; Junkyung hyung solid backup.
Embarrassing, but I'm performing.
3 games: 2 goals, 1 assist post-opener. Great stats. Why cling?
Bang!
Finishing up, door burst.
"Coach said... what about Miguel?"
"...Gonna ditch him. No need for team-wrecker mercs."
"Then... attacks?"
Eavesdropping at door, caught bits. Front office guys.
"Ugh... Olmunt?"
"What if he flashes then flops? Data's data. Last 3 years' stats? Human? Pillar for a hot streak?"
"Exactly. Rookie coach vs. brass hurts us. Coax Miguel's whining; he'd dominate league."
Senior-junior chat?
Ignoring training bathroom, they yapped loud.
"Rookie coaches always grab 'tough' guys for style. That's why Miguel wants out."
"Japan probing. They're desperate too. Won't buy; match price."
"College league kid's confidence? 9th now? 3 points."
"Watch. No Miguel, Cheonan massacre. Coach silenced. Use him then."
"Haha, yeah. Lose sans Miguel? Coach's fault."
Ha...
Blood boiled. Fists clenched; hands shook.
Logically, few games don't erase Olmunt's rep.
But hearing backtalk firsthand? Different.
Still see me as brainless Viking? Watch next game.
I'll show those idiots. Olmunt's changed way beyond what they think.