Chapter 114
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 114
Chapter Title The Eldest Son Yearns for Soccer
The coachs words rippled quietly through the room.
Even Denmark would be tough to beat?
That wasnt something they could easily accept.
Sure, the headtohead record stood at one draw and one loss, but wasnt the current Denmark team lacking any standout players worth bragging about?
And honestly, the Netherlands was in the same boat.
What was it, the Orange somethingorother from back in the day?
More importantly, the Netherlands squad theyd be facing this time was made up mostly of young domestic players, missing most of their key firstteam stars.
Deep down, he figured it would be a tough matchup, but one they could definitely compete in.
But the coachs take was entirely different.
They couldnt win?
Why?
If you play as carelessly as you did in the World Cup, you wont beat Denmark either. Its not about the players qualityits the team itself thats the problem.
The players exchanged glances and let out collective sighs at the coachs words.
Most of them in the room had World Cup experience.
And they were all recalling the disastrous 2034 World Cup.
Counterattacks that didnt feel like counterattacks, buildup play that went nowhere, defenses that couldnt stop anything, pointless tacticsit was impossible to tell what they were even trying to do.
Some players hung their heads at those words.
The players werent idiots they had eyes. Thinking back on those meaningless tactics from the last World Cup left them speechless.
That bastard Choi Youngbeom...
One of them muttered under his breath, cursing the coach from that tournament.
The guy put on all the airs of having something up his sleeve, but he was utterly incompetentcouldnt do a damn thing.
We have to change that. Thats why Im here. Until the matches against Denmark and the Netherlands, were focusing on tactics.
The coach scanned the players as he spoke.
Separately from that, I know your potential. Thats why I took this job. I hope youll live up to my expectations.
With that, the coach went around shaking hands with each player one by one.
The meeting wrapped up, and they were assigned dorms. He grabbed his suitcase and headed off.
Ah, who am I rooming with?
Anyone but Park Mingyu.
His heart raced a bit as he approached the door, but then someone placed a hand on his shoulder.
He turned to see a guy grinning at him.
Youre my roommate, huh.
The man flashed a neat set of pearly whites. It was a familiar face.
Jo Dongho.
He was the starting striker at AlShabab in the Saudi Pro League, with 10 goals in 15 games this season.
In his previous life, Taeyang hadnt made the national team until he was 28, so theyd never played together.
Hed only seen him on TV, playing in the Dutch league.
Nice to meet you.
Yeah, yeah. Lets head in.
With a friendly face, he opened the door and stepped inside first.
The hotel room was impeccably tidy, as expected.
He eyed the two beds for a moment before asking,
Which side do you prefer?
Hmm.
Anywheres fine for me.
Alright, then Ill take the one by the window.
Sure.
Yeah, yeah. Ah, this year... youre 17? First year of high school?
Second year.
Oh, right. Korean age makes you 18. Man, who wouldve thought Id be playing soccer with a high schooler.
Haha...
Back when the Ji Youngsoo line had the national team locked down, this wouldve been unthinkable.
Well, I get it. If a Premier League guys not called up, the association and coach would have to be crazy.
Thanks.
No need to thank me. Im the one whos grateful. Watching you play gave me chills. This must be what national pride feels like.
Jo Dongho, whom he was meeting in person for the first time, seemed chatty but likable.
Come to think of it, news articles always painted him as the type who got along with everyonean ultimate social butterfly.
You know todays just rest day, right? Chill in bed, light workout, or even a quick outing if you want.
Hm... Nothing in particular on his mind, so maybe just lounge around?
As he thought that, Jo Dongho spoke up.
Im gonna pop over to another room. What about you?
Ill rest in bed.
Yeah, yeah.
After Jo Dongho left, he snapped a selfie lying down and posted it on SNS.
CHOOLTAEYANG
Photo Selfie taken lying down
Joined the national team. Will do my best.
The next day, early in the morning, he headed to the training pitch with Jo Dongho.
A few players were already there, lightly warming up.
Jo Dongho nodded toward them.
Most of em are solidno rough edges. No stuckup seniors pulling rank either. Dont worry.
Yeah, Im not worried.
True. Whod be dumb enough to throw their weight around with you? Ah.
Fair point. Given his current standing, no one was going to boss him around.
Who in their right mind would mess with a Premier Leaguer?
But watch out for that one, at least.
Who... Oh.
The guy Jo Dongho pointed out was none other than Park Mingyu.
Did the team already know Park Mingyu wasnt quite right in the head?
Oh? You noticed too? Everyone else seems oblivious. Somethings off about that guy. Dont clash with him.
Yeah, he didnt look normal no matter how you sliced it. Itd be ridiculous if he was the only one who saw it.
Got it. Ill be careful.
Not that it mattered much, but dragging it out would just be tiring.
Hang on a sec.
Whyre you here?
He squinted and approached one person.
The guy looked sheepish as he met his gaze.
What, so what, man? You think I cant be here?
No, you werent on the list?
Standing in front of him was Bae Sanghyun.
Twenty years old in Korean age this year, hed been urgently called up to Eintracht Frankfurts first team after defensive holes opened up.
His skill level warranted consideration for the next World Cup, but the key issue was he wasnt on this roster.
Kim Joosung hyung got injured and couldnt come, so Im filling in.
Oh, temp fillin?
You little shit, even when youre talking...
What? Cant call a temp a temp?
Ugh, fine, youre the smart one. Mr. Hotshot.
I am pretty hotshot.
Learn some humility.
You learn some soccer.
Never thought Id hear that from someone younger than me.
Lifes full of surprises.
He hadnt expected to outage his own parents either.
Look at these two kids chattering away.
As he bantered with Bae Sanghyun, a voice from the side drew their attention.
What?
Staff?
Nah, the clothes said player. But this guy with the sour face staring at them was a stranger.
As he blinked blankly, the guy hardened his expression.
What the hell? You see a senior, you greet him. No hello?
He looked about Bae Sanghyuns age.
Uh... who are you?
When he asked with a puzzled look, the guys face flushed red.
Not embarrassmentanger, probably.
What? Who?
Im asking who you are. Gotta know the face to treat you like a senior, right?
Is this punk nuts? Who the hell are you talking to like that?
Bae Sanghyun watched quietly before clapping his hands.
Ah, I know this guy. Yoo Jungwon. Plays for Seoul.
Oh, yeah?
At that, the guyYoo Jungwoncut in.
Hey, SeoulSeoul UTD. Your senior. No greeting?
Yeah, I was in Seoul youth. You too?
...Not exactly.
Then what makes you my senior? You nuts?
Yoo Jungwon stared in disbelief.
By age, Im obviously your senior.
Hey, cut it out. Why bring up age? Youre the same age as me?
Bae Sanghyun stepped in front of Yoo Jungwon.
Yoo Jungwon snapped back at Bae Sanghyun too.
Im earlyborn, asshole! One grade ahead of you!
Skipped a grade or something? So, whats your birthday?
January.
Which day?
28th.
You fucking bastard, Im January 1st. Where do you get off calling yourself senior? Youve eaten 27 days less than me.
Whoa, even Bae Sanghyun, who rarely cursed, let one fly.
And deservedly so.
What? You two are friends? Then youre friends with me too. Why act like a senior?
Friends?
Yeah, this guys my friend.
Bae Sanghyun grimaced but nodded soon after.
Yoo Jungwon gawked at them, his face a mix of disbelief, confusion, anger, and absurdity.
He stepped up to Yoo Jungwon, patted his shoulder, and said,
I dont call guys my age hyung if theyre worse at soccer than me. Anything below Bundesliga, I dont even see as people. Im talking to you cause were national teammates, friend.
Sure, he treated older guys as equals, but he ranked by skill.
As long as they didnt pick a fight first.
You...
What, pissed? Then go play in the Premier League.
He hadnt said it outright, but the national team was like a captains armband for your club.
More precisely, your skill level determined that armband.
No matter how chummy things got, groups formed around the skilled players, who held more sway.
He was too young for that role fully, but no one could treat him lightly either.
And with that, training finally kicked off.
Excellent.
Ivica Marković nodded as he watched Taeyang move.
That was the biggest reason he wanted to coach the Korean national teamright there, putting on a show.
Just casually handling the ball exuded Taeyangs class.
Taeyang would be this teams Luka Modrić.
He shifted his gaze.
Surprisingly, the team was full of highpotential players.
Park Mingyu wasnt his type, but hed serve as another plan for the team, and the attack line overall passed muster.
The downside? Aside from Jo Dongho, they were all selfless playersnot goal scorers.
But with Yoon Taeyang, that was fine.
The attack would work out somehow.
Finally, what he focused on mostthe defense.
From videos, goalkeeper Shin Hosung had astonishing shotstopping ability, and centerbacks Yoo Sungjae and Park Donggeun were Europeready right now.
The fullbacks had Koreas signature multiplayer skills, solid too.
All told, this team had potential.
With a good coach honing their teamwork over time, a strong World Cup showing was possible.
And that good coach was him.
But, Coach... were you serious about not beating Denmark?
As he observed the players, the interpreterwhod stuck by his side since taking the Korean jobasked cautiously.
The coach paused at the question before replying.
Its not easy. The players level is one thing, but the national teams organization is still wrecked from that worstever coach in 2034.
I see.
Of course, assuming Yoon Taeyang isnt here.
Ivica looked at Yoon Taeyang once more.
The first match hed seen of him was the one where he scored six against Manchester City.
That shock was unforgettable.