Unstoppable Guys (8)
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I'd actually expected the guy to do well. From the first time I saw him play after joining the B team, it was obvious his skills far surpassed semi-pro level.
But…
Bam!
Swish!
He's too good. Way too good.
"…Wow."
"…How many goals is that now?"
"…Feels like one every 30 seconds."
"…Every shot's going in."
"…A guy like that was on the B team?"
"…Why the hell was he?"
The AD Alcorcon players couldn't hide their shock at the rookie's play—Cha Tae-oh shaking the net over ten times in just five minutes. Body battles, balance, first touch, dribbling, shooting, finishing. Everything was overwhelmingly superior to the opposing team's players.
…And he was a B team player.
As expected of Theo.
A player with an innate scoring instinct, sniffing out goals like a ghost. Miguel Amaro found himself just watching in admiration before snapping back to reality, shaking his head.
This wasn't the time to space out.
Focus, focus!
The A team players were clearly a level above the B team. Especially their pressing and decision-making in defense—it was far superior. Not everyone, of course. Some even lagged behind the B team's average in defensive awareness.
…But they were the minority.
Thud!
And those players compensated with something else that stood out sharply. Either mastery in one area or above-average across the board. One or the other was the qualification for pro-level leagues.
What about me…?
Miguel Amaro judged himself coldly. Am I really pro level? He checked if he was above average overall.
The answer came quick.
Not yet.
So, the remaining qualification: Did he have something uniquely standout that could work in the pros?
…Yeah, that I do.
Dribbling, at least—he was damn confident in that. The problem? Facing A-team caliber for the first time, his dribbles weren't landing properly.
"Hoo."
Miguel Amaro let out a short breath. Then he recalled what Cha Tae-oh had said.
Just like always… Just like always… Just like always…
He looked back at Cha Tae-oh. The guy was playing exactly the same way he had on the B team, even against the A team.
…What can't I do?
He knew he wasn't comparable to Cha Tae-oh. Not just technically, but physically too—the guy matched or even surpassed the A-team players.
But Miguel didn't get discouraged.
I'll push through with skill.
Even on the AD Alcorcon B team, he hadn't broken through opponents with physicality much anyway.
Let's do it. I can too.
Right on cue, a teammate's pass rolled to his feet. Without hesitation like before, Miguel trapped it and charged into a bold dribble.
The opposing player twisted his body to block the inside, deliberately forcing Miguel toward the sideline. To prevent him from cutting in toward goal.
Miguel didn't force a physical battle inward—pointless, no chance of winning. With tiny steps, he kept the ball close to his body, like a fisherman waiting for the fish to bite.
Then, the moment the defender lunged…
Thud!
He slipped the ball between the guy's legs and exploded inside. The defender, half a beat slow, couldn't block with his body and reached out with his hand—but gave up. Grabbing here would be a foul, no need in this mini-game.
Finally, a skill-based dribble succeeding in a breakthrough. As Miguel sprinted toward the box, he glanced ahead. To create space, Cha Tae-oh was running the opposite way from where Miguel was cutting in.
Like always on the B team, Miguel passed to Cha Tae-oh. Theo didn't wrestle for the ball against the clinging marker. He played the natural flow, returning a pass to Miguel.
Perfect open scoring chance. Maybe because of that hat-trick against Getafe B? Normally, he'd hesitate even here…
Bam!
Not anymore. Prioritizing precision over power, Miguel struck a low shot into the bottom corner.
Swish!
The net rippled without mercy. On the first try, no need for rebounds.
Miguel's brilliant breakthrough, seamless link-up with Cha Tae-oh, clean finish.
"…These B-team kids aren't ordinary."
"…Yeah."
Not just Cha Tae-oh, but Miguel's flashy dribble too. Now the AD Alcorcon players understood why the B team kept pulling off those unbelievable results. Regret hit them too. A clinical striker and a breakthrough winger—exactly what the A team desperately needed right now.
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He swallowed dryly. AD Alcorcon's captain, Ruben Soriano, felt his heart race with excitement for the first time in ages. His gaze fixed on the two B-team players: Cha Tae-oh and Miguel Amaro.
He'd expected them to do well. Especially Cha Tae-oh, with his miraculous scoring instinct even in the fourth-tier Segunda Federacion—primed to be the team's starting striker.
But…
I set my expectations too low.
Watching in training, Cha Tae-oh's level shattered his predictions. Thirteen years in La Liga 1 and 2, countless players seen, but ones delivering this fresh shock? Barely five. None he'd played with.
At first, he doubted his own assessment. Overhyping? But after day one, two, three of training, he erased that doubt.
My judgment isn't always right, but…
One thing he was sure of: Cha Tae-oh would dominate La Liga 2, reigning as the top performer.
Maybe that's why? Season not even over, and Ruben was already dying for next season. What exploits would Cha Tae-oh bring to the A team? Would he devour La Liga 2 as predicted?
The urge to see it twisted inside him.
If Theo really performs at Golden Boot level…
Ruben swallowed again. Wild imaginings unfolded in his mind.
…Promotion wouldn't be impossible.
His deepest wish. Promotion. If Cha Tae-oh filled the solver role they needed most, the team's biggest issue—poor attack—would vanish.
Not just him thinking that.
With Theo and Miguel, our attack will come alive next season.
If only attack was good this season, we'd be in promotion spots.
Variables exist, but hope does too.
Match day against Cordoba CF finally arrived.
So we must avoid relegation. No matter what!
The players' eyes gleamed fiercely.
The caster's voice flowed from the TV on the wall. The screen showed the just-started AD Alcorcon vs. Cordoba CF match.
"Kinda tense."
"We gotta win this one…"
"Nah, we'll win today."
A-team kickoff at 2 PM, ours at 7 PM, so most B-team players arrived early, gathered in the clubhouse lounge to watch together.
To escape relegation danger and turn the mood around, they had to win this must-win.
Maybe from training together the past few days, even I felt the tension.
"Please… I wanna play in La Liga 2…"
Miguel Amaro looked more nervous than me.
'La Liga expert' Tiago cautiously predicted an AD Alcorcon win. Aggressive play drew a draw against 4th place last round, and home game today.
"Just score… Just one goal…"
Defense seemed fine—no big worries. Cordoba CF had the league's fewest goals.
But if they failed to finish like last game… team morale would tank.
Tiago added: Early goal, and Cordoba would fizzle out without a comeback.
Not gospel, but I agreed.
Just one goal. That single goal would shift the entire match vibe.
7th minute, free kick from left flank. Not great angle for direct shot, but solid distance for a crossing header.
Tweet!
Whistle blew. Kicker whipped in a high, fast cross to the box. Players leaped in unison.
Then, the ball met someone's head.
"……!"
"……!"
"……!"
Everyone jumped up. Had to—the trajectory headed for goal, not out. If the keeper missed, net would ripple.
And the result…