U-19 Friendly Tournament - 2
After finishing my goal celebration, I looked out over the pitch. The Korean national team was hammering the German side mercilessly, as if they hadn't even needed the tip I'd given them about Kevin Volland's weakness.
Well, even in the original history where I hadn't joined the U-19 team, Korea had beaten Germany and taken the title. And now, with me—the country's top tenacious midfielder—on board, maybe my worries had been overkill.
In any case, Germany pushed their line up high once they fell behind.
Don't push it—drop the line!
We naturally dropped back, targeting the wide-open space behind them.
Not that I'd feel outmatched in a straight-up clash, but Korea's physical style shone brightest in counterattacks. Coach Han Gwang-jong clearly saw no reason to abandon that strength. Smart choice. Back before my regression—when Korea had reached the World Cup quarterfinals—it was our physical counterattacking combined with my passing, dubbed the Korean Passmaster, that got us there.
The future where that's gone now.
Thwack. Frustrated, a German midfielder unleashed a surprise long-range shot, but it floated weakly into the keeper's arms.
Makdong! Counter—!!
Our starting keeper, No Dong-in, sprang up and lobbed the ball to me. I trapped it smoothly on my chest, then fired a pass straight to Lee Ho-jong sprinting forward.
The ball sailed over the heads of retreating Germans, dropping perfectly at Ho-jong's feet. He charged like he had for his opener, bursting into the box and calmly striking for the corner.
Ah! Fuck! He saved that one!
Unfortunately, the German keeper read it and parried. The ball crossed the line off his hands—Korea's corner.
On the corner kick, I hung back outside the box to cover counters, per Coach Han's tactical call after eyeing my defensive chops. Ho-jong, our best kicker aside from me, took it.
It met a Korean head, but the world-class German keeper—known for his premium gloves—pushed it away again. In the scramble, their center back cleared it, only for it to ricochet off Dong-won and roll my way.
I took a soft first touch, faked a shot to shake off the German winger covering back in what would one day be Son Heung-min territory, then whipped a left-footed in-swinging curler.
Stationary shot, so it needed serious ankle power—but I'd been hearing you've got ankles like steel since I was a kid. No issue.
The beautifully arced ball evaded the keeper's fingertips and rippled the net.
Come to think of it, SBK's broadcasting this. Wonder if Gyeowol's watching right now.
After scoring, I sprinted to the corner flag for my Hoo celebration but suddenly flashed back to a childhood moment with Gyeowol.
When you grow up and score, do this celebration for me!
Instead of Hoo, I did the one for Gyeowol—crossing my ring fingers.
It was the celebration she'd puzzled over all night as a kid, packed with memories.
Not sure if she even remembers it now, but I hoped she did—and loved it.
GOOOOOOAL!! Wonder Boy bags a multi-goal brace! Son Jinho!!
Ah, a perfect curling shot into the far corner! No keeper saves that!
Han Gyeowol stared wide-eyed at the SBK broadcast.
When you grow up and score, do this celebration for me!
What? That's so childish.
Hiiing, I stayed up all night thinking of it!
...I'll do it when you're my bride someday!
The replay showed Jinho's celebration again, and a smile crept across Gyeowol's lips.
She hadn't imagined it. He'd kept their childhood promise.
Son Jinho races to the corner flag for his signature celebration... oh, he's not doing it.
As Gyeowol drifted into memories, the commentator's disappointed voice lamented the missing Hoo. Comments flooded the broadcast site's corner.
Seeing people trash the meaningful celebration, Gyeowol defended it.
Replies poured in, of course.
Buzzing from Jinho's celebration, Gyeowol snorted and ignored them.
Everything's got meaning!
With a victor's smirk, she opened a new tab, replaying the celebration dozens of times. By then, the match had ended.
Match over! Korea's U-19s beat Germany at the UAE friendly for a crucial win!
Gyeowol clicked the last one and jumped into the soccer gallery, tapping the post.
Pfft—! What the hell is this?
She burst out laughing at the image of Jinho powering up to Super Saiyan alongside his Hoo.
The matches against Egypt and UAE after Germany were uneventful.
Korea's U-19s won 3-1 and 3-0, claiming the friendly title. I started both, notching 2 goals and 2 assists, etching my name in Coach Han Gwang-jong's mind.
Please, Jinho. Can't you come to the next camp ready to say I'm a striker, not a midfielder?
He was drooling over my 4 goals in 3 games.
Makes sense—Korea national team's chronic finishing woes were hot topics. Objectively, my shot conversion was world-class striker level, plus my build handled physical battles. From his view, tweaking the formation to stick me up top made sense.
But sadly, I couldn't. Standing as striker tensed me up—I couldn't shoot where I wanted.
Striker's a position you prove with goals. It burdens me there.
I gave Coach Han my helpless look.
No, like... blame it on midfielders' passing. Easy, right?
I shook my head. If it were that simple, I'd play mid. Midfielders—and fullbacks—run like dogs in modern soccer.
People can't always control their instincts. He knew it too, sighing deeply.
Shame, but can't be helped. Oh, we're flying home tomorrow. Pack properly.
Next day, Korea's U-19s returned home as champions.
Hey—! Son Jinho!
Spotting Gyeowol waving wildly at the airport, I grinned brightly.
Word of the U-19 title win made the 9 PM news briefly. Viewers buzzed about a golden generation.
Not wrong. The squad had future senior internationals galore: striker Cha Dong-won, left back Ki Se-hyeong, third-choice keeper Jo Hyun-su (soon Bright Hyun-su), and me—the guy who'd claim the biggest share in our World Cup quarters run. All golden gen.
Anyway, Gyeowol was hyped after our reunion.
The commentators and casters praised you tons! And community's blowing up with posts!
...You do that stuff, Gyeowol?
Mom had complained Gyeowol never put her phone down. Seemed legit.
I Kakao'd Mom that Gyeowol was hitting weird sites.
Han Gyeowol. Phone confiscated for a month!
Mom showed up and snatched it.
...
Gyeowol stared blankly at her empty palm, deflated. I couldn't stand it, sighed, and handed it back.
Felt like giving candy then yanking it, but she didn't know.
Look at this—hilarious, right? How do people come up with this stuff?
Her color returned once she had it, excitedly showing me her saved posts. Worried about her addiction but touched by her joy, I sighed and read them.
And realized: communities were fun. Because...
...I'd somehow become the gallery master of the Hoo community.