Chapter 116
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 116
Chapter Title AMatch Debut Goal
Imitating Luka Modrić was something I could manage, but the coach surely didnt want a mere copy of his play from me.
Sure, thered be some similarities in style.
To put it precisely, he wanted me to wield the same influence in this team as Luka Modrić.
Arent you nervous?
Standing side by side in line, Jo Dongho asked me.
Nervous?
Is that for eating?
Well, a guy who notched a hattrick in his Champions League debutwhats nerves to him.
If you see space, make a run. Ill thread it through somehow.
Got it. You better come through.
I grinned at Jo Donghos words.
Just then, a sound from behind made me glance back on instinctand I flinched.
There stood Park Mingyu, face utterly expressionless.
The guy smiled fine for cameras or crowds, but around fellow players, Id never seen him crack a expression.
That blank face could be downright chilling sometimes.
I tried to ignore it and look away, but Park Mingyu spoke up.
I make a run too?
Pardon?
I make a run too. If I see space.
In that moment, I realized.
He wasnt some patriot brimming with duty, but he didnt want Korea to lose.
Losing meant getting nothing he wanted.
When goals aligned, even enemies could form an alliance.
Run whenever you want.
For victory, there was no reason not to pass.
Trailing 10, the match resumes. Oh, South Koreas making a subPark Daewan out, Yoon Taeyang in!
The overseas Koreans filling the stands today are giving Yoon Taeyang a roaring welcome!
No surprise there. Just 17 years old! But his skill has the whole world watchingKoreas pride!
Yoon Taeyangs on? Hes here!
Kyah, Soccer Taeyang looks so handsome
National team kit suits him perfect
Soccer Taeyang conquering Parken Stadium?
Prince Your Highness fighting
My dads like, What can some kid do? sending him in lololol
Dad a FC Korea fan?
Skips everything but national team lolol
Told him watch and talk lolol
Damn, one sub and the vibes electric lololol
The moment Taeyang stepped onto the pitch, every eye turned to Yoon Taeyang.
Overseas Koreans in the stands, the Danes, and even Denmarks national team players on the field.
Yoon.
Yoons on.
Dont let that baby face fool you.
Our opponents Yoon.
The Danish players murmured about Yoon Taeyang.
They couldnt avoid Premier League highlights, so they knew Taeyangs exploits.
But one knew him best Brolic.
Denmarks pride, whod claimed Arsenals firstchoice keeper spot young, had faced Taeyang twice and conceded four goals.
Thats why he knew Taeyang welland feared him.
Stay sharp, everyone. Never lose sight of Taeyang.
He hammered it home to the backline.
One fedup defender finally asked,
That bad?
Hes a demon. Hell toy with you and me, all smiles.
Yeah, got it, but ease up. Youre so tense, well concede soft ones.
Brolic shook his head.
Almost no shot he cant bury. Kill his shooting footstop him shooting at all.
Easier said
As players pondered handling Yoon Taeyang, captain Petersen clapped.
Hes just one guy! Soccers not solorelax! We were doing fine!
Petersens words steadied them.
Rightone guy.
How much could one player change amid the rest?
While Denmark regrouped, the second half kicked off.
Theyd buzzed at first, but once play started, Denmark stayed composed against Korea.
Playing Amatches in Europe meant facing worldclass stars every gameno exaggeration.
Taeyangs hype had rattled them briefly, but not enough to throw the match.
Theyd handled teams crawling with worldclass monstersTaeyang was just one.
Denmark advances, holding their lines.
Korea drops deep, pressing!
Denmark kept cool, but trailing Korea surged with momentum.
It wasnt just momentum.
No longer a flat threeback against Denmark, Taeyangs midfield entry enabled a tight fourlayer zonal defense.
Fullbacks roamed midfield and back freely, not stuck in classic roles, smoothing the press.
Frederik Jansen, wild in the first half, struggled in cramped spacecouldnt replicate it.
He boasted passes, long shots, visionary throughballs, but ball control and dribbling were just okay.
Blocked upfront in tight spots, he couldnt do much.
Same for Petersen.
As classic winger, hed crossed freely in Koreas 442, feeding attacks.
But with three or four packed tight centrally now, crosses were tough.
Breakthroughs? No easy feat.
Pressing Denmarks routes, eating away bit by bit, Kim Ho intercepted Frederik Jansens pass.
Hyung! Pass!
Taeyangs voice rang out.
Kim Ho fired it to Taeyang without hesitation.
Taeyang took it, turned, eyed forwardDenmark hadnt switched yet, vast spaces everywhere.
Better to pass than dribble and waste time, Taeyang judgedand threaded it instantly.
To the spot behind their leftback, perfect for Park Mingyu.
Park Mingyu sprinted behind the leftback as the ball left Taeyangs foot, collecting it cleanly.
Receiving Taeyangs pass, he felt its quality.
Throughball exploiting behind the leftbacksuddenly, open space ahead.
Run and cross, whatevertotal freedom.
No time to think, Park Mingyu charged the halfspace.
Park Mingyu surges! Koja blocks, but he shrugs him off, riding the penalty box line! Yes, curls it!
Oh! Brolic!! Insane save! Blocks that?!
Tch.
Park Mingyu clicked his tongue.
A Ribéryesque curlblocked.
Amid it, Brolic punted the caught ball forward.
Two raced for it near halfway Denmarks rising star Jansen and Yoon Taeyang.
Jansen edged ahead, chested it down.
Yoon Taeyang anticipates, intercepts! So smart!
Yoon Taeyang with the ball, charging forward!
Fresh off counter defense, their goal unguardedTaeyang sped toward it.
Hes coming!
Denmarks players shared the thought.
Taeyang hit the lead midfielder blocking him with scissors dribble.
Which way?
Left? Right?
Hesitating, Taeyang closed in.
Instinctively, the midfielder stabbed between Taeyangs legs.
Taeyang vanishedpure Phantom Dribble, perfect La Croqueta.
Next, centerback charged.
Taeyang barreled at him, Free Flap right in his face, then straight to goal.
Taeyang never slowed through skills.
Another centerback clung desperately, but Taeyang pushed on.
Shoulder barge met bargeTaeyang suddenbraked, wrongfooting him, then accelerated past.
Just keeper Brolic left.
Brolic blanked in the deja vu.
Damn right.
Premier League space, and he danced past anyone.
Three Danish internationals in open field? No chance.
Now, just him.
Out? Riskylob shot.
Worst, dribble past and tap in.
Stay on line?
Safer?
Yeah.
Set, then panic.
Which foot?
Left? Right?
Curl? Knuckle? Low driven?
Too many options.
Head spinning, Taeyang whipped right foot.
Straight to right postsimple, but blistering.
Overthinking Brolic reacted late, letting it in.
Waaaaaaaaah!
Ref signaled goalcheers erupted everywhere.
They chanted Korea, clapping wildly.
Goal! Its a goal! Equalizeeeeer! Yoon Taeyaaaang!
Amatch debut goal!! At 17 years, 187 days, representing Korea and scoring! Youngest scorer ever!
Caster prepped the youngest record for todayYoon Taeyang delivers!
Exactly! Haha, what a player!
Postgoal, Taeyang scanned stands calmly, grabbed ball, walked to halfway.
Look at him! Whats that mean?
Doesnt seem thrilled by his goal?
Nowin over personal goals. Just tied, not enough! Yoon Taeyang wants more!
Spot on! Hurries back, urging seniors to reset! Young, but leader vibes? Haha.
Taeyangs goal electrified everyone.
Even neutral casters, dutybound impartial in friendlies, gushed over him.
No one could complain.
Whend they last see one man shred three defenders solo for goal?
Nationals, treated to rare dominance, buzzed with pride.
But celebrating? Too soon.
At least, Yoon Taeyang thought so.