Legend Soccer 2 – Introducing the Goalkeeper’s Wrath
Well, it’s great to meet everyone. My name is Jung Tae-woo, the one who’s the disaster for attackers but also called the goalkeeper who attacks better than the forwards themselves.
The players and the production crew erupted in cheers as I strode onto the Manchester City field in my uniform.
“Whoa, it’s really Jung Tae-woo!”
“Our daughter is his biggest fan!”
“Whoa, how is he this handsome?!”
The eyes of the legends from every sport watching me sparkled with a mix of awe and respect. People who knew better than anyone how incredible it was to be competing at the European level at my age.
“Hey, enough small talk. Wait, why are you so talkative today? I wish you were this energetic during training too.”
Manager Ahn Jung-hyun grabbed my shoulder and pulled me beside him.
“Viewers want to hear about Tae-woo, but they don’t want to listen to me. Look there. The producers’ faces. Tae-woo’s heart is going to pop out of their eyes.”
It was true. The female producers were so excited they looked ready to faint.
I had seen many handsome male celebrities on the broadcast side, but this man who carried such overwhelming charisma while still holding onto that youthful spark of his generation was truly something I had never seen before.
The talk segment quieted down again, and all eyes turned back to me.
I nodded to the director and launched into my official self-introduction.
“Hello, viewers of Legend Soccer. I am Jung Tae-woo, the goalkeeper playing for Manchester City.”
“No way, a player like Jung Tae-woo shows up in this humble place?”
Seong-jun hyung asked.
Seong-jun hyung had said he wanted to meet me before filming, that our age gap was no big deal, and he wanted us to treat each other like real brothers.
So I smiled naturally and replied.
“How could I refuse the chance to teach soccer to legends from every sport?”
“Haha, that’s right. Actually, every person here is the best in their field, but Jung Tae-woo player is currently writing a new legend: starting with an Olympic gold, then an undefeated season at Manchester City as the starting goalkeeper.”
Kim Seong-jun hyung said, looking like he was surprised even as he spoke to the camera.
“But the surprising part isn’t just his save record. The man has more goal stats than all the strikers combined. Manchester City’s manager Peter Guardian said this: ‘If Jung Tae-woo were to play as a striker, he would still be World Class.’”
Kim Seong-jun hyung’s words led Ahn Jung-hyun to continue.
“Think about it. When Jeon Hyeon-moon hyung plays basketball, the position is fixed, right? It’s like being able to play both defense and offense at the absolute highest level without any weaknesses. That’s how impressive Jung Tae-woo is.”
“Whoa, that’s amazing~”
“Haha, thanks.”
After the opening ended and a short break was given, the others came over first.
“Excuse me, Jung Tae-woo player, our daughter is really his fan, so could I ask for an autograph?”
“Of course. And please speak casually with me, hyung.”
Ahn Jung-hyun, the basketball legend, laughed heartily and said,
“Sure. Actually, I was already worried about when I should stop, but your younger brother’s heart makes me really happy.”
“Hyung, why are you my junior? I’m your junior!”
Ahn Jung-hyun said teasingly, and the entire studio broke into laughter.
I watched the two legends playfully clash and smiled. If filming went like this in such a relaxed atmosphere, Legend Soccer would definitely be a fun program.
“Hmph, I’ll ask for one too.”
“Sure.”
“Um, me too.”
“Naturally.”
“Me too.”
“…”
I had received signatures from countless fans at Manchester City, but getting them from legends in every sport was a completely fresh experience.
Of course, my wrist ached.
* * *
Since I was a goalkeeper, I was first assigned to personally coach the Legend Soccer goalkeeper, Kim Dong-hyun hyung.
“Please take good care of me.”
“Sure, I’ll take good care of you too, Tae-woo.”
Kim Dong-hyun hyung was the pioneer who had been the first Asian to enter UFC and rewrite mixed martial arts history. He was even more famous under the nickname “Stun Gun.” Training under someone like that was both fascinating and a heavy responsibility. But since his athleticism was so outstanding, I was sure he would adapt well to goalkeeper training.
But unlike what I thought, Kim Dong-hyun hyung seemed to feel burdened by the goalkeeper position.
“Tae-woo, actually I don’t want to be a goalkeeper.”
“Huh?”
“The fact that I’m the youngest here and still lacking means I’ve conceded a lot of goals, so it’s really mentally tough.”
I could guess the feeling. A goalkeeper is the last line of defense, and the guilt when you concede is huge. The feeling of having let in even one goal weighs down much more heavily than any other position.
“What about you? Aren’t you the youngest in the team, and doesn’t the goalkeeper position feel burdensome?”
Burden…
Actually, no one understands the struggles of both strikers and goalkeepers as well as I do. And from my own experience playing both, every position has its own problems.
But while a striker who misses nine shots is praised if he scores just one, a goalkeeper who makes nine perfect saves is still roasted for missing one.
So Kim Dong-hyun hyung must feel even more pressure. He would receive more criticism than the other legends.
But…
“I have to push through the burden.”
“Haha, really?”
It was inevitable. One goal for a striker and one concession for a goalkeeper affect the team differently. But that didn’t mean goalkeepers should shrink. If anything, they had to lead the team even more boldly.
“Besides, even if I concede a goal, I never feel guilty.”
Kim Dong-hyun hyung looked at me in surprise.
“Really?”
“Of course. If a goalkeeper concedes a goal, it’s actually the defense’s fault. I don’t think it’s the goalkeeper’s fault.”
No, isn’t the term “last defense” exactly that? Goalkeepers are supposed to be the last line when every other player has been beaten. Isn’t passing the blame for creating that situation to the goalkeeper unfair?
Of course, goalkeepers can make mistakes too. But that doesn’t mean every responsibility falls on them.
“And even though I’m the youngest, I think goalkeepers shouldn’t get discouraged…”
Thinking about the Legend Soccer cast members, it was a bit hard to tell Kim Dong-hyun hyung to lead the team proudly.
“It does seem a bit difficult for me to say that, looking at it.”
“Haha, right? You’re too hard on me.”
Kim Dong-hyun hyung looked lighter after spilling his heart.
“Alright, shall we start training?”
“Sure, try blocking it.”
“Alright.”
Kim Dong-hyun hyung stood in front of the goal and I struck the ball toward the right with decent power.
Thud!
Kim Dong-hyun hyung reacted with the lightning speed of a mixed martial artist. But when it came to actual goalkeeper ability… well…
“How was that?”
It was pretty serious.
First, his basic movement and stance were both off.
“Heh… it makes sense that hyung Ahn Jung-hyun, who’s a striker, couldn’t help it.”
“Goalkeepers need sharp reflexes, but posture and movement are just as important. It seems like those areas are a bit lacking.”
“Could I see a demonstration?”
I walked in front of the goal to show him the correct form.
“In this situation, a goalkeeper should lower their center of gravity, keep both hands at waist height with elbows slightly bent, and get into ready stance. This way you can react instantly in any direction.”
“Oh, I see.”
“And the most important part is the feet. Spread them shoulder-width apart, lift the heels slightly so you can explode upward at any moment. Center of gravity over the balls of the feet.”
As I demonstrated and explained, Kim Dong-hyun hyung examined every movement with a serious expression.
“Then kick it. I’ll show you diving too.”
“Sure, let’s go.”
The other players, Ahn Jung-hyun, Kim Seong-jun hyung, and the production crew all turned their attention toward us.
“Tae-woo, come on!”
“Yes!”
Crack!
“…”
I didn’t end up diving.
The ball had flown far wide of the goal.
“Ah, why is this happening today.”
Kim Dong-hyun hyung scratched his head, looking embarrassed.
“Haha, it’s fine.”
From a distance, the other players and Ahn Jung-hyun approached.
“Tae-woo, I’ll take it.”
“Yes, hyung!”
While Ahn Jung-hyun fetched the ball, I reset my stance in front of the goal. After stopping countless shots in the Premier League, my heart raced when I thought about stopping a legendary striker like him.
“Ready?”
“Yes!”
Ahn Jung-hyun stared at the ball for a moment before beginning his run-up. His signature sharp kicking motion followed.
Swish—
The ball rocketed toward the top right corner of the goal. I exploded into a dive.
Thud!
The moment my fingertips touched the ball, cheers erupted all around.
“Oh!”
“Just like Tae-woo!”
After kicking the ball away, I stood up to see Ahn Jung-hyun approaching with a bright smile.
“As expected, you’re good.”
Ahn Jung-hyun came over and patted my shoulder.
“Thanks. Your shot was really sharp, so it was hard to read the direction.”
“Haha, flattery. You stopped it easily.”
A little later I returned to Kim Dong-hyun hyung.
“The most important thing during a dive is timing and reading the direction. Watch the striker’s stance and the ball’s flight path, load your weight into the dive, and when you land, use your arms to absorb the shock. After catching the ball, quickly return to a ready stance.”
Kim Dong-hyun hyung nodded seriously.
“Ah, I’m starting to get the feel for it. Learning from a pro really makes a difference.”
While we continued training, I thought to myself,
“This is going to get interesting.”
Kim Dong-hyun hyung’s form was really off.