Chapter 14
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 14
Chapter Title The Eldest Son Desperately Wants Soccer 14
Hey, what kind of ace wears number 7? Aces wear 10!
But in our country, isnt it 7?
No, its 10! Even in the league, the best player wears 10.
Thats just your club. Dumbass club.
Wanna die, for real?
The entire training session had been noisy over jersey numbers.
It was a far cry from the first day.
On the first day, the chatter had been all about the coachs goal
Could they win overwhelmingly?
Did they even stand a chance against Japan?
That kind of talk.
Even the kids knew how big the gap was in youth sports between Japan and Korea.
Some families with a bit of money who didnt want to risk sending their kids all the way to Europe opted for soccer study abroad in Japan instead. That said it all.
If they got lucky and debuted in the JLeague, they could earn more than in the KLeague.
Bitter, but that was reality.
It was just like decades ago, when so many Korean players went to Japan or China for the money instead of Europe.
Anyway, all that noise had been drowned out by the jersey number competition.
The kids whod been cowed by Japan were gone, replaced by ones burning with passion to claim their favorite numbers.
It just went to show how well Coach Lee Junghoo handled kids.
Ding, dading, dingding, boomchaka, boomchaka, dadaradading.
Though seeing him now, humming a tune as he strolled over, it seemed more like he was just having fun himself.
Speaking of which, the guy walking shouldertoshoulder with the coachthat was Daejang Highs coach.
Hed later become Seoul UTDs manager, leading Gong Sehwan and Jin Yujun to victory and cementing his status as a KLeague legend.
Come to think of it maybe it was this East Asia Youth Exchange that prompted him to actively feature those two rookies whod just signed pro contracts?
Hold on, that means Daejang Highs guy should be here too.
The persona of Daejang Highs coach.
Bang Sunghwan, whod later be known as Seouls bomber.
There he was.
Trailing behind Daejang Highs coach, Jang Hanjun, was a lanky giant.
Four years older than me, the guy would never shine on the national team because of Lee Sungho, but hed become the KLeagues top striker.
Ah, they even called him KHolland.
Hed tear up the KLeague with a style like Haalands.
Up close like this, Daejang High looked no pushover.
Even if they were the top middle school players, they were all firstyears except oneit was amazing they were supposed to win.
Whoa that auras no joke.
Can we even handle those guys physiques?
Wed get flown off our feet in a physical battle.
Sure enough, the kids whod been bickering over numbers now stared at the Daejang High boys with tense, pale faces.
Hey, soccer isnt about physique, you punks.
Kim Hyojun strutted through the nervous group, boasting.
Bullshit. If that tall, bulky guy pushes, even Brother Sanghyun would struggle. What nonsense.
Ryu Junseos words made Bae Sanghyun glare.
What? You think I couldnt stop him?
No, its just true, hyung.
Fair point. Set pieces aside, how do we beat them?
As Bae Sanghyun groaned, everyone sank into gloom. Meanwhile, I leisurely pulled on my socks, slid in my shin guards, wrapped bands around my precious ankles and knees for protection, and tied my cleats tight.
Finally, I shrugged off my rain jacket.
Taeyang, youre not scared?
Gong Sehwan asked, eyeing my calm demeanor.
Even the clueless, carefree Gong Sehwan looked tense with a stiff face at the sight of those tall, burly upperclassmen.
I smirked.
Whats to be scared of? Just give it your all.
What if we lose?
So what? Its a practice match. You know what happened?
What?
Last year or the year before, Manchester Uniteds first team got thrashed 40 by their reserves? The reserves average age was 19, and they got demolished. If they can do that, whats stopping us? Its not like Daejang High is Man United.
But that was all Vitor Felicianno, right?
Vitor Felicianno was Portugals prodigy, Manchester Uniteds only hope.
Vitor? Our teams got Yoon Taeyang.
With that, I headed toward the coach.
Hoo.
Ever since yesterdays callup, Coach Lee Junghoos gaze had been fixed mostly on Yoon Taeyang.
It wasnt because of the kids unusually refined, handsome looks.
There was something about himan indescribable aura.
First national team callup, yet no excitement. Faced with the coach, assistants, or the Europeanexperienced Bae Sanghyun, he couldve deferred, but he stood tall.
Around his peers, he seemed years older, like an adult.
Even now.
Everyone else was intimidated by the bigger, stronger kids from the famed academy powerhouse Daejang High, but not him.
He prepared for the match calmly alone, then declared to the team that Yoon Taeyang was there.
They couldve mocked him, but instead, they all stared at his back, entranced.
Captain material.
The ace, the leader incarnate.
Proof was that even the kids who didnt know his skill yet were preparing calmly.
They trusted a player whose ability they hadnt seen.
How do you explain that?
If it wasnt aura or presence, what was it?
Coach Lee Junghoo grew impatient.
He wanted to get Yoon Taeyang on his pitch ASAP.
Alright, everyone, listen up.
He addressed the gathered players.
Its a practice match, so no pressure. But that doesnt mean do whatever. Follow orders. Its the first time, so I dont expect 100 executiondont get too hung up on it. Got it?
Yes!
Good, lets go. Oh, Sanghyun! Take this!
Hed wanted to give the captains armband to Yoon Taeyang, but Bae Sanghyun, with his proven track record, was the right choice for now.
With Bae Sanghyun wearing it and stepping out, preparations were complete.
The pintsized national team kids in their uniforms lined up against Daejang Highs players, dressed in Chelseainspired blue.
Daejang Highs starters were all firstyears.
Tch They actually sent out the firstyears.
Glancing irritably at Daejang Highs coach for benching the upperclassmen, Lee Junghoo turned to the referees starting whistle.
His U15 tactical concept was inspired by Contes old Tottenham.
Tough for kids back then, but modern ones handled this level easily.
Thinking back to his own childhood, when he couldnt even grasp tikitaka, it felt like generations had passed.
Taeyang and Sungho need to step up.
In his ConteTottenhaminspired tactics, Yoon Taeyang was key.
Originally, central striker Lee Sungho was meant to be Harry Kane, handling goals and assists. But now, it was Yoon Taeyang.
He had to be Harry Kane, Kulusevski, and Son Heungmin all in one.
A free role, honestly.
He was curious how the kid whod run everything solo at Seoul would perform with teammates he could control.
Back! Back! Back!
Bae Sanghyuns booming voice cut through.
The national team had kickoff, and Choi Jiwoo had boldly driven forward. But suddenly, the ball was stolen, flipping possession.
Daejang High skipped buildup, sending a long ball from their defender straight to the front.
They hadnt pushed the line high, but the physical gap meant the backline could get exposed in seconds. Calmly, Bae Sanghyun dropped back with his two centerback partners, then perfectly intercepted the falling ball behind Daejang Highs striker, Bang Sunghwan.
European talent lives up to the hype.
Just as the coach said.
Not for nothing had they scouted him from Germany, waiting only for his 16th birthday to pro contract.
And Bae Sanghyuns strengths went beyond defense.
Thwack!
He had pinpoint long passes forward.
The ball flew faster than the age gap suggested, dropping precisely between Daejang Highs centerback and keeper.
The downside? The physical disparity between Daejang High kids and the national team.
A threeyear average age gap was huge for growing boys.
They were taller, more muscled, faster.
Daejang Highs centerback closed the space instantly, challenging Lee Sungho for the ball.
Whoa, Lee Sungho!
The coach marveled at the moment.
A head shorter, Lee Sungho shrugged off the marking and cushioned the ball on his chest.
He controlled it well, but tumbled forward.
He couldnt withstand the push from behind.
Tweet!
Foul called, and Lee Junghoo tilted his head.
That distance is tricky.
Far from goal.
No designated freekick taker on this U15 yet.
Lee Junghoo thought, then pointed at Yoon Taeyang.
You take this one today!!
Me?
Yeah!
Got it!
Yoon Taeyang grinned, nodded, and approached the ball.
That smile radiated confidence.
What was this confidence?
Records showed hed never taken a free kick. So where did it come from?
Unfathomable kid.
Yet the smile didnt seem like bluffing.
It built anticipation.
Tweet!
The whistle blew with that expectation.
Taeyang charged without hesitation and struck the set ball.
It shot straight without spin, then wobbled wildly before dipping sharply.
An unpredictable knuckleball free kick.
Incredibly fast, with massive dropthe keeper couldnt react. It hit the line, bounced, and nestled in the net.
A kids match, yet a pintsized player unleashing prolevel knuckleball shooting.
Chills ran down his spine.
Woooaaah!
Taeyang!
Goal!
The national team kids, not expecting a first goal, mobbed him in ecstasy. But Taeyang dodged them, slapped away reaching hands, and strode haughtily to the halfway line.
His signature noncelebration ceremony.
Hahaha, what a character.
Lee Junghoo burst out laughing in delight.
On the other side, the opposing coach flushed red, glaring at his Daejang High players.
He wasnt the only one.
The Daejang High kids faces twisted into grim scowls, like the Four Heavenly Kings guarding a gate.
Yeah, when the opponent scores and doesnt celebrate, it stings.
Already mad about conceding, now it felt like their goal was worthlessrage boiled over.
But can they handle it?
Lee Junghoo watched the fun unfold with interest, but trouble loomed for the national team kids.
The provoked Daejang High kids unleashed fierce attacks with quick passes and physicality.