Chapter 17
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 17
Chapter Title Sweeping East Asia
In my previous life, I wasnt the type to avoid physical battles.
Sure, injuries and ridiculous bulking had wrecked my body, but my natural core strength kept me from getting pushed around in the midfield.
That said, I wasnt one to pick unnecessary fights either.
My strengths were my wide vision, soccer brain, and passing.
No need to get into pointless scraps.
Same here.
Our opponents, China, were itching for unnecessary physical clashes with me.
Or rather, they wanted to.
The moment we tangled, someone was bound to get hurt.
So instead, I gracefully slipped into open spaces without engaging.
Finding space and advancing wasnt hard.
They charged at the ballor whoever had itlike mad, trying to smash through.
That left the areas around them wide open.
Not just meour whole team could pass smoothly, find space, and push forward.
Naturally, scoring chances poured in.
After my goal drew all the aggro to me, Lee Sungho exploited the empty space for our second.
Ryu Junseo followed with one of his own.
Then Parquet Naiel nailed a stunning longrange shot to end the first half at 40.
Into the second half.
Now China wasnt playing soccer anymoremore like soccer 2, no, soccer 3 or 4.
Killer tackles and elbows that could snap bones or tear flesh.
One bad break, and a career could end.
China really hadnt changed.
Fine then.
Choi Jiwoos pass came my way.
A low ball, but impressive considering his age.
I didnt trap itjust let it run and took off.
Chinese players swarmed me.
Against the guy clumsily sticking his foot out, I dragged it back under me, made him whiff, and glided past.
Sure enough, even offbalance, he reached for meI swatted his arm away and kept going.
The next lungedI hit him with La Croqueta, then another La Croqueta.
Three down, and the goal came into view.
As I thought about shooting, a Chinese player blocked my path.
I feinted right, then pulled left.
Goal in sight.
No hesitationI whipped my left foot through.
The curling ball traced an elegant arc into the top corner.
50, huh.
China was still huffing like enraged boars.
Not over yet.
Game restarted.
This time, I didnt push forwardinstead, I built from the back, linking with teammates.
Quick passes pinged around the swarming Chinese.
I was at the heart of it.
I kept funneling the ball left from midfield.
As they all piled left, I bolted into the nearly empty right.
Lee Sungho spotted me and slotted it through.
Chinas centerbackwhod been burned by us time and againbared his teeth and charged.
I chipped the dropping ball with my toe, dodged his charge up close, then nudged the falling ball forward and sprinted with it.
Now a fullback.
I knew this guy.
Once dubbed the Shaolin Soccer Master, Grandmaster of Fouls in online communities.
The worst of the Chinesefamous for sidelining one player per tourney in Olympics, World Cups, East Asia Cups.
Yeah, the yellow flags were showing early.
Like a game of tag, I kept him behind me.
He gave it everything, but couldnt catch up.
Not a grandmaster yet?
Nah.
He had the makings.
Realizing he couldnt catch me, he tried a drop kick from behind and tumbled.
I almost stopped in disbelief.
No timepush when theyre down.
The lone keeper rushed me.
Oneonone.
I faked the shot... keeper hesitated... I folded it sideways and rifled with my right.
Smack.
The net rippled mercilessly.
Hattrick.
60.
Chinas spirit was breaking.
They always did this.
Cocky at first, fouls after one or two goals, then denial and collapse when it got this bad.
At least when I was on the national team.
Those kids were young back thenthis is now, but no difference.
Tch, shame we cant hit 100.
Guess 100s for another day.
IN 18
OUT 7
Sub time.
My shift hattrick and one assist.
Unlike when I scored, heading off the pitch drew boos from the Chinese crowd.
Boos arent fun, but these hit different.
Like a catchy pop tune.
After I subbed, we added two more for an 80 thrashing.
Nice! You guys play soccer like pros!
Coach Lee Junghoo was purely thrilled.
Id have been happy with 30you exceeded it.
The players beamed at his first real praise.
Dont get cocky just cause you did well. Slack off and get smacked by Hong Kong or Taiwantalk about embarrassing.
Fair point.
Youth games can go nuts on mentality.
But Hong Kong or Taiwan?
No chance.
Taiwan nextno China starters, so Kim Hyojuns hattrick led to 70.
Then Hong Kong my hattrick, Lee Sunghos, Ryu Junseos brace, Parquet Naiels longrange for 90.
Next North Korea.
Never faced them in my national team daysintriguing.
All their players were exactly 15, smaller and scrawnier than our 13s.
Yet they spoke the same Korean, burning with fight toward us.
Even their seniors were goblinlikesame for the kids.
Drew 11 with Hong Kong, shocked with 30 over China, pushed Japan to 32 loss.
More than expected.
Kids with stamina.
Trailed Japan 30, then clawed to 32 in the last 10.
No slacking.
10.
Hey, no letting up! Keep pressing!
20.
Hey! Game aint over!
30.
Halftime just started! They could catch up anytime!
40.
Hmm... give it all till the end.
50.
10 minutes left! Remember Japan? Press till the end! Choke em!
60, 70.
We were too tenseNorth Korea couldnt show their Japan grit, just dragged around.
At 40, when we yelled no slacking, they stared like we were nuts, muttering curses.
Something like son of a bitch or whatever.
From China to North Korea, wed cruised.
Only Japan left.
For senior teams, all eyes on it.
East Asia pride on the lineboth undefeated, finals showdown Korea vs. Japan.
What bigger match?
Youth level, so less hype, but still buzz.
Preview of future KoreaJapan, Next gens showdown.
Japan Koreas no rival anymorerivalry funeral.
Theyve been yelling leave Asia like imperial days.
Euro squad hit 100 around 2020, holding steadycant compete in Asia anymore.
Even brag on Korean YouTube and forums, traveling for it.
Hilarious part? One line sums their pride and aggro.
You got a Son Heungmin?
Ever had a top scorer?
Yeah.
Japans held 100 Euros for over a decadeno single Son.
100 means three pros in big leagues, under 10 in PortugalNetherlands.
Flood the Euro fringes and brag.
Thats why they hype their 1518s as Platinum Generation.
Loaded with worldclass potentials.
AnywayJapans Eurotrained core vs. our one Euro guy, Bae Sanghyunwe werent outmatched.
But its KoreaJapan.
Measure the dong and daikon.
Some things dont fadeJapans past sins, that grudge across generations.
Beat the slanteyes!
Lose to Japan? Hell no!
Lose and swim the East Sea home! Got it?
Team vibe was electric.
Boiling to crush Japan.
I watched the kids like a grandpa at a grandkids show.
Heh heh, Japan... time to unleash the beast inside.
...Choi Jiwoo was beside medunno when he snuck up.
My starring role against Japan... curious, Taeyang?
Nope.
Heh heh... once you taste my premium passes, youll change your tune.
Ignored the middleschool edgelords baseless swagger, checked my phone.
Dad Son, landed in Japan!
Dad photofamily selfie
Mom photoairport sky
Mom Japans got no smog?
Dad Korean Peninsula blocking it?
Me Both grandpas came too?
Dad Wanted to see grandkid play, so yeah.
Mom Paternal Grandpa ordered a jersey with your name marked! lol
Me For real? lololol
Mom Youll be front row in national kitprime view!
Mom photosiblings in jerseys
Mom Cute, right?
Me Yeah lol super cute
Dad KoreaJapan? Never lose. Win it. Dads cheering
Mom Win would be great, but no injuriesgive your all! Thats enough. Got it?
Me Will win for sure See ya tomorrow.
Thrashing Japans net with family watching? Already buzzing.
Felt like a real 14yearold, wishing tomorrow came quick.