Chapter 54
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 54
Chapter Title The Eldest Son is Desperate for Soccer 54
The players are entering the field ahead of the second half.
Yoon Taeyang is visible. Its the Korean Premier League player Yoon Taeyang, making a rare appearance!
Ah, Omar isnt in sight. Contrary to expectations, Izell is starting the second half too.
Actually, Omar didnt perform well in the first half either. He was isolated in the center and couldnt do anything.
Oh, and now I seehe was the one with the lowest rating in the first half.
It was no wonder. Omar was a player who knew how to play in the center, but he was more accustomed to the flanks.
Being trapped in an unfamiliar position against a national teamlevel defensive line made it hard for him to shine.
Shouldnt they put Omar in Izells spot and bench Izell?
Yeah, Izell isnt doing shit anyway. Better to have Omar on the wing where he can at least try something.
No, before thatwhats that kid Taeyang doing in the center? Wouldnt it be better to move Taeyang to Izells position?
Newcastles just stuck with Southampton right now, and they dont have anyone else to play center lol
Newcastle coach must be pissed, especially this season lol
Why this season?
Its his contract extension year.
Ah... No Champions League means hes out of a job?
While some Korean community was laughing about Rommel getting sacked, Rommel gazed calmly at the pitch.
Sending Taeyang on a bit early was a gamble, but he believed Izell Edwards firsthalf efforts werent meaningless.
And sure enough, even after resting at halftime, Southamptons solid defensive line looked a tad different from the first half.
Slower, with noticeably lapsed concentration.
All thanks to Izell Edward running his ass off like he was sweating bullets.
The more he ran, the more exhausted Southamptons players got.
No matter how dogged his running was, Izell Edward had two goals and four assists this season.
They couldnt ignore him, so they had to keep tabs wherever he roamed.
Of course, up until now, that was all it amounted tojust keeping tabs.
Ill say it again when I get the ball, you focus only on the ball from then on. And when it leaves my foot, chase it like a mad dog. Got it?
Even if they call me the Izell Hound, chase like a mad dog is a bit...
Chase like a mad dog, work like a mad dog, run like a mad dogthats just how we say work your ass off back home. Can you do it or not?
You said I could be a hero. Lets do it.
Taeyang smiled at Izells determined expression.
The match kicks off. Newcastle has the ball and is building up.
Redley! He takes the ball and tries to break through! But theres no space! Southampton is blocking him airtight from cutting in from the wing to the center!
Southampton refused to give an inch of halfspace from the flanks to the center.
Redley angled diagonally, desperately hunting for any gap without advancing forward.
Ivan!
Taeyang called out to Redley.
Redley looked up at Taeyangs call.
Unlike Omar, Taeyang had dropped slightly from the front line, level with Southamptons holding midfielder.
With the opponents holding mid dropping the line, it was effectively the 1.5 line.
Not on the wing, but centerTaeyangs most comfortable spot.
Ah, looking at it now, Newcastle Newtides base formation has changed. Not 433, but 4312.
From youth and reserve records, Yoon Taeyang mainly played wide, but he has plenty of central games too. Thats exactly the positionmoving like a false nine from the 1.5 line.
And right as we speak, Yoon Taeyang is moving.
Here he comes.
Thats the little brat, huh?
The sturdy defenders guarding Southamptons box fixed their eyes on Yoon Taeyang.
Their rocksolid defense wasnt just national team talentit was forged from thorough scouting by the coach, staff, and backline.
They knew Taeyang had notched a hattrick in just 11 minutes of secondhalf time in his last game.
Stick to him!
Like theyd been waiting, Southampton closed ranks, shrinking Taeyangs operating space.
But Taeyang moved fearlessly even in the tight confines.
Dodging the blockers like a squirrel darting about, he bulldozed forward bit by bit.
Look at that! Is that really a 17yearold kid?
His light footwork, burst of acceleration, and quick changes of direction shook off defenders as he advanceda shocking sight for Korean viewers.
Wow, shaking off the press like a boss
Dribbling is no joke
Look at Southampton getting dragged around, insane
We finally have a kid like this in Korea
This guys legit, even if he flames out hed crush K League, no doubt
Europe somewhere would take him even if he busts
Huff... huff...
Hah...
Amid everyones awe, Taeyang could hear the ragged breaths of his pursuers.
Theyre definitely gassed.
He could feel how hard Izell Edward had workedIzells efforts had dulled Southamptons movement.
Dribbling along, Taeyang scanned his surroundings constantly.
A cluster of players packed to block him.
Now.
Without hesitation, Taeyang whipped an early cross to the right.
Yoon Taeyang! Sends it forward!
Ah! Izell Edward sprints onto it! The fullback chases, but Izell Edward is way faster! Izell takes it!
While marking Yoon Taeyang and Redley, Izell Edward runs free!
He goes oneonone with the keeper!
Izells movement was so sharp, it was hard to believe hed run just 7km in the first half.
Even the left back Tierney Small, who boasted superior stamina, was too spent to match Izells pace.
Izell eyed the goal ahead, heart pounding.
When do I shoot?
The coach and Taeyang hadnt drilled this part.
Shoot now?
Go further first?
Before the keeper rushes out? Or as he comes?
In this golden chance, his mind froze.
Smash it!!
The thunderous roar startled him, but instinct took overhe blasted the shot.
One of Izells key strengths shone through.
He was the embodiment of effort.
His stamina now was hardearned, and his bodyhoned by Newcastles regimen to the limitboasted steellike resilience.
From that frame, the shooting form drilled thousands upon thousands of times by the coaches erupted into a powerful strike.
Like a cannonball from the barrel, the ball rocketed straight before wobbling wildly.
Premier Leagues official ball, a marvel of modern science, was designed to make knuckleballs fiendishly hard.
Even top PL pros succeeded only 23 out of 10.
Yet this ball was swerving massively against air resistance.
Izell Edwards shot was a perfect knuckleball.
Stunned by the rare sight, the keeper flubbed the sudden direction change, and the ball battered the net mercilessly.
Goal! Its a goal!
Izell Edward! What a stunning strike!
A rare knuckleball! Official balls in the Premier Leagueno, all big leaguesare made to thwart them, but he nails it! Incredible!
Izell knuckleball is fire
This is Puskas contender
But did Taeyang just yell smash it to Izell? Only me? lololol
I heard it too lmao
Taeyang puppeteering from behind? lolol
Izell stood frozen, unresponsive even after scoring.
Wooooah! Izell!!
You bastard! Unreal!
Shot was filthy!!
Teammates mobbed him.
Snapping to, Izell looked around.
Spotting Taeyang, he shook them off and rushed over, hoisting Taeyang up triumphantly.
Yoon! You see that? Did exactly what you said and boomgoal!
Yeah, good job. But can you put me down now?
Oh, sorry.
Izell gently set Taeyang down.
Taeyang grabbed Izells nape with a pout and whispered in his ear.
Listen up. Just keep doing exactly that from now on. But after a goal, theyll mark you tighter. What do you do if you cant break through?
Uh, dunno?
Taeyang pondered.
Izell wasnt a fancy dribbler, first off.
Onetwos for escaping pressure needed soccer IQ, which Izell lacked.
He was a blank canvas, barely filled with basics through relentless drilling.
Passing to unmarked teammates or open space? Too advanced still.
After a moment, Taeyang spoke.
In that case, pass to whoevers calling for it. But Im priority one. If you dont see me, just lob it toward my voice. Anyway, always pass to me, got it?
YYeah!
Like a soldier obeying his commander, Izell nodded firmly with steely resolve.
The match resumes!
Southampton making a sub. Tired Tierney Small off, Hugo Pierce on.
Hugo Pierce is a multitoolfullback, holding mid, center back. Southamptons utility man.
They subbed in freshlegged Hugo Pierce for the weary Tierney Small, but the Southampton coachs face was grim.
Not just Smalleveryone was knackered.
At least they had backups to shore up defense.
The issue was attack. No one to reset the game.
Southamptons only path forward counterattacks.
Risky, but they needed to lure Newcastle higher.
Tied up, but Southampton isnt pushing forward.
Clear counterhunting setup.
Newcastle knows it but must attack anyway. They need three points, not one.
Newcastle had no choice but to play into Southamptons hands.
They pushed the line up, hammering Southampton relentlessly.
Under fierce pressure, Southampton dropped their line, passing back from deep.
Newcastle presses hard! Southampton cant go forward, sends it back... Oh!!
As Southampton recycled possession under pressure, Taeyang slipped perfectly into the gap and intercepted.
Yoon Taeyang steals it! Drives forward!
To Izell Edward! Will Izell deliver again?
Izell, steadfastly eyeing Taeyang while running, bolted when the ball dropped into space and claimed it.
Southamptons defense swarmed Izell, spooked by his goal.
Izell held up play, unable to advance.
No one was calling for it.
Taeyang said pass to whoever calls...
Cant pass yethold it.
True to form, Izell defended the ball with everything.
Then
Pass!!
At Taeyangs voice, Izell swung blindly toward the sound.
Thwack!
Whoops, a bit too hot.
That was a shot, not a pass?
In that split second of regret.
There was Taeyang, beyond.
Taeyang didnt flick the heavy ball awayinstead, it stuck to his foot like a magnet, settling perfectly.
Then he surged forward.