AFC U-19 Championship -4: Crushing Japan with Chinese Cheers
The South Korean national team played the match in an atmosphere like a home game, cheered on by Chinese spectators.
“Hey, why are the Chinese cheering for us?”
“No idea? Are China and Korea on good terms or something?”
It couldn't exactly be said that the Chinese fans' cheers were a big help to South Korea.
“Wooooh—!!”
At least they were better off than Japan, who were getting booed.
“Damn it—! You bug bastards!”
Hearing the jeers from the Chinese crowd as they fell behind, the Japanese team started to waver mentally.
As Cha Dong-won's pass headed to Son Jinho, the Chinese fans in the stands roared, chanting his Chinese name.
“Sun Jenhao—! Sun Jenhao—!”
A smile crept across Son Jinho's lips as he heard the cheers. Judging by his current popularity, he could sweetly rake in Chinese money until anti-Korean sentiment spiked after the THAAD deployment.
THAAD deployment is the real issue...
He'd worry about that later.
Thwack.
Son Jinho swung his foot after shaking off his thoughts. The pass flew precisely to Cha Dong-won's feet.
The cheers from the South Korean supporters' section swelled.
Swish.
Cha Dong-won calmly faked out Japan's Nakamura in goal and slotted it home.
“Hoo-ooooh—!”
Son Jinho, successful with his assist, sprinted toward the Chinese fans and unleashed his celebration.
“Hao-ooooh—!”
The Chinese crowd went wild for him.
“...I was the one who scored?”
In the heating atmosphere, Cha Dong-won, who'd actually scored, put on an awkward smile and carried on with his lonely celebration.
Just before the final whistle, South Korea scored once more against Japan.
“Nice!!”
Han Gwang-jong leaped from his seat with an uppercut as Son Jinho's long-range shot ripped into Japan's net. It was a perfect victory for the South Korea U-19 team under his leadership.
If Japan's goalkeeper Nakamura hadn't pulled off a miraculous save show, the scoreline could've been two digits. It was that one-sided.
Naturally, Japanese soccer fans began raging at the limp performance.
Overwhelmed by 15yo Son Jinho... our 19yo reps...
Koreans say swim home if you lose to Japan—maybe we should adopt that? wwww
They hunted for scapegoats, roasted them, and spammed the legendary "first-team" drip.
15 is too much wwww
Age fraud?
...Bro. Korea ain't Africa.
But the "first-team" drip didn't land as well as expected. Even they had too much shame to pull it after getting thrashed by a literal 15-year-old.
Anyway, shortly after Son Jinho's goal, the ref blew for full time.
“Yesss—! We can fly home!!”
The South Korean bench exploded onto the pitch, celebrating the win over Japan.
At the same time.
Dortmund staff watching the 2010 AFC U-19 Championship quarterfinal between Korea and Japan were pumped by Son Jinho's performance.
“Compare to the last game without Gino—you can see it! His game tempo control is top-class!”
The flushed coach exclaimed excitedly to Jurgen Klopp.
Impressive.
Jurgen Klopp stared intently at the screen before smiling. Sure, it was a tournament in soccer backwater Asia, but Son Jinho's display left a deep impression.
The symbol of Dortmund's youth system...
A typical youth player wouldn't reach the first-team manager, but Son Jinho was different.
Dortmund, highly rating his potential, planned to make him the face of their youth setup.
The expectations placed on him were so huge that updates reached even first-team boss Jurgen Klopp regularly.
They want to groom him as their franchise star representing the club...
But finances wouldn't allow it forever—he'd have to let him go someday.
“Bringing him into first-team rotation next season wouldn't be bad.”
The coaches nodded without objection; they'd quietly agreed watching the footage. His youth was the only hitch, but by next season at 16 years and 6 months, he'd be eligible for the senior squad.
And... other issues are sorted.
No work visa needed for Bundesliga play, but a residence permit for Germany was required.
The Korea Football Association stepped up aggressively to handle it. Dortmund's admin staff grumbled at the extra paperwork at first, but that faded quick. Once they grasped his talent, they dove in with passion.
Their entry-level fire had cooled a bit, but they still loved soccer and Dortmund—that's why they worked there.
“Hamburg babies their Son, and this season's Kagawa and Jinho too... East Asia's producing more talent lately.”
The coach replied to Klopp's musing.
“Don't forget Cha Bum too, back in the day.” Klopp nodded and turned to the scout team lead. “We were gonna station a scout in Japan anyway. Korea too now?”
The scout lead smiled. “Yep.”
And so, Dortmund's gaze turned toward Korea and Japan.