Liga Total Cup - Korean Derby Fever
Son Jinho's opening goal set the tone as the South Korean Olympic team unleashed a barrage on Jordan, clinching a dominant 5-0 victory.
“Waaaaah—!!”
The fans cheering for the Korean national team erupted in cheers at the crisp, dominant performance.
“At this rate, we're heading to the round of 16 for two tournaments in a row, right?”
Expectations for the 2014 Brazil World Cup began to swell in the hearts of the spectators. They had lost to Japan in the Asian Cup, but a successful generational shift had taken place.
The forwards like Jang Shin-young, Cha Dong-won, and Koo Ja-cheol shone brightly, while midfielders Koo Ja-cheol and Joo Byung-garam showed remarkable growth. They had also unearthed a new talent in Yoo Yong-rae, bolstering the squad.
Above all, what they anticipated most was the inclusion of Son Jinho—the promising star drawing global attention with his Bundesliga exploits—in the senior national team.
He was still too young for senior team call-ups, but surely next year or the year after? His skills already seemed more than sufficient for the senior squad. No, they overflowed.
He devoured Jordan's midfielders, dominating the center of the park and paving the way for multiple goals.
Who else would they call up if not a player who had shone in the Bundesliga last season?
If Son Jinho were just a year or two older, he might have been playing for the senior team instead of the Olympics.
In any case, four days after the first leg of the Olympic second-round qualifiers ended, they faced Jordan in the return leg.
The Olympic team secured a 3-0 win in the away match in the Middle East, advancing to the final qualifiers.
“Whoa! At this rate, we're going all the way to the quarterfinals for the first time ever?”
Korean soccer fans, thrilled by the Olympic team's strong showings both home and away, dreamed beyond the round of 16 to the quarterfinals.
And from this point on, Korean soccer fans began using the term Double Dragons Double Sons (Lee Chung-yong, Ki Sung-yueng, Son Heung-min, Son Jinho).
While Korean soccer fans dreamed of a bright future, Son Jinho, having finished all Olympic matches, returned to Dortmund.
“No major injuries. Just some light bruises that'll heal after a few days of rest.”
The first thing he did upon returning was head to the medical center for a check-up.
“Jinho, this re-check isn't us doubting your country's medical standards. We just care about you that much—please understand it that way.”
Once the check-up wrapped up, a Dortmund staffer carefully explained to Son Jinho. It could be seen as dismissing Korean medicine, after all.
“Of course. You're just worried about my condition, right?”
Son Jinho nodded without a hint of offense. Seeing the staffers sigh in relief at the all-clear made it clear how much Dortmund valued him.
With the exam done, he was granted leave until July 15th—a consideration for national team players.
However... “Jino!” “Jino! You close with Mario Goetze? He posted on Stargram saying you're buddies?!”
Leave or not, as a student, he still had to go to the Gymnasium. “Ah... I wanna go home.”
Facing the students' curious stares, Son Jinho longed for home.
Between Gymnasium, home, and dates with Gyeowol, June was already drawing to a close.
Germany buzzed with transfer rumors, and Korea was no different with its own soccer stars on the move.
The moment I saw that headline about Cha Dong-won.
Bzzz—
My smartphone buzzed. Speak of the devil— it was Dongwon Spicy Tuna.
“Hey, Son Jinho!”
Han Gyeowol hummed a tune. The long-awaited summer break had finally started.
“When's your next game?”
How heartbreaking it was not to watch her boyfriend's games after becoming his girlfriend!
She'd vented in the Hoo Gallery, but all she got was blocks.
“Huh? Dortmund's in the Liga Total Cup, probably July 19th?”
But those harsh days of persecution were over.
“Take me with you.”
“...Hard for me to bring you, so come cheer with Mom.”
Her break had begun, and nothing could stop her from watching boyfriend Son Jinho play.
July 20th. Korean soccer fans gathered in front of their TVs. With Son Heung-min, dubbed preseason Ronaldo after 15 goals in 6 games, facing Son Jinho, who stunned in his Dortmund debut last season, the Korean Derby was set.