Chapter 72
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 72
Chapter Title The Eldest Son Craves Soccer
There had been a small change in the Newcastle squad.
More people were starting to watch Yoon Taeyangs mood.
Until now, he had been a boy whose genius talent they envied but also wanted to cherish and look after. Recently, though, he was seen as the next ace to inherit the number 7 jersey, the next leader.
In the midst of their dismal recent results, Taeyang was the complete ace, the only player in the team doing his part.
Over the past four games1 win, 1 draw, 2 losseshe was the only one who hadnt missed a single attacking contribution.
Who would dare treat a player like that lightly?
And the decisive part was...
Hey, Taeyang played really well.
That huge guy got laid out.
If wed messed with him recklessly, wed have gotten beaten by a 16yearold.
Did he learn boxing or something?
Shh, Yoon Taeyangs coming.
Exactly.
His teammates had started to fear Taeyang after he subdued Illinyu with his fists.
They were stars with flashy lives and massive builds like mountains, but most of them were vigorous twentysomethings who knew nothing but sports.
Being good at fighting affected their internal team status.
Taeyang, can I come to your place today?
Theres a match today. No.
Aw...
Is there honey smeared at your house or what? Whys he always dying to go to your place? Should I go too?
Youre faithful to your family, arent you, mister?
Taeyang, invite me next time.
Oh, an invitation? Can I try some Korean food then? If I come, Ill bring my favorite wine from back home.
Left Illinyu, right Izell.
Add Silva and Richella to that.
With these people circling around Taeyang, his position became even more solid.
Even though Illinyu had taken a beating from Taeyang, he was a player whose size and skill couldnt be ignored, and Izell was one of the fans favorites for his dedication to the team despite his looks.
Silva and Richella went without sayingthey were the teams power players.
In this way, Taeyang was subtly solidifying his place within Newcastle.
Artelli entered the locker room, which had begun to revolve around Taeyang.
Entering with his usual affable smile, he gathered the players and began his prematch speech.
My players. Lately, there have been many critical eyes on us. But Im not worried at all. Its only round 5 now. The season still has a long way to go.
The players nodded at the coachs words.
If theres any problem, tell the team anytime. We have the money and staff to take care of you. So just focus on soccer. For the team, for the fans.
Arnold and Illinyu nodded most vigorously at the coachs words.
The two had recently resolved their issues to some extent and were showing good form in training.
Arnold wanted to repay the team for what it had done for his father, and Illinyu wanted to hurry back to playing soccer with his new teammates and friends.
Hahaha, looking at your faces, it seems like youll show something today. Yes, good. Go out there and show them.
With that, Artellis words ended, and the players, fully prepared, headed to the pitch.
Premier League round 5! Here at New St. James Park, Newcastle United faces Burnley.
Full house again today. Ah, the fans are all chanting My Sun. Its Yoon Taeyangs chant, right?
Yoon Taeyang, who has recorded an attacking contribution in every one of the last four games without fail, seems to have been fully accepted by the Toon fans as their number 7.
O! My Sun!
O! Our Sun!
O! Everyones Sun!
Among the stands singing Taeyangs chant were his family members.
Dad, is this our brothers chant?
Gaeul asked her dad curiously.
Jisang nodded at his daughters words.
Yeah, its your brothers chant.
So cool.
So cool?
Yeah. There must be tens of thousands of them? All these people cheering for brother?
Thats right.
He tried to sound nonchalant, but in truth, Jisangs chest swelled with emotion.
It never felt real no matter how many times he came.
That so many people loved Taeyang.
No, no. We cant get ahead of ourselves yet.
Huh? Get excited about what?
Oh, honey. Just... Its great that our Taeyang is doing well, but hell do even better ahead. Lets not get too happy and drink kimchi soup prematurely.
What kimchi soup? When he does even better, we can be even happier then!
Jisang chuckled at his wifes words.
Yeah, youre right.
Look over there, our old folks.
Hm?
Jisang turned his gaze.
His father and fatherinlaw were surrounded by people down below, not in their original seats.
What was going on?
Hahaha, Im Taeyangs grandfather!!
Im the maternal grandfather!
The origin and source that made Taeyang!
Thats right, if it werent for me and my inlaw here, Taeyang wouldnt even have been born!
Thank you, elders!
O! My Sun! O! Our Sun! O! Everyones Sun!
Whats that! Sing it louder!
O! My Suuuuuuun!
Thats it! Good job!
My goodness.
The two were riding Taeyangs popularity, singing the chant together amid the Toon fans.
Amazing charisma. Did they get that from him?
I gotta join too! Kids, lets go!
Okay!
Woo!
I wanna sing too, together!
Seeing his wife and kids all rushing to the grandfathers, Jisang shrugged.
Looks like Im the only one who didnt inherit it.
At that moment, the whistle echoed through the stadium.
Kickoff!
Burnley kicks off. Burnley, who had a tough promotion from the Championship this season, has made a decent start at 15th in the league.
Newcastles situation is different. Despite spending massive transfer fees this month, theyve had an shaky start.
Shaky Newcastle, huh.
This was their chance.
Burnley targeted Newcastles weaknesses and charged forward.
Just like Middlesbrough had.
Lately, the Championship had seen more teams using slow defenders as a weakness and fast attackers to exploit the space behind. Because of this, Burnley, like Middlesbrough, lined up with centerbacks, defensive midfielders, and defensive fullbacks, locking down from the back and using speedy forwards to target the space behind.
It wasnt a tactic that worked well in the Premier League, where quick centerbacks abounded, unlike the Championshipbut against the current Newcastle, it was as good as a counter.
So, didnt Burnley have hope too?
But things didnt go as Burnley hoped.
Arnold quickly calls Menendez and drops the line! Jenas rushes out and wins the ball!
Immediately to Menendez! Menendez to Boxall! Boxall to Omar!
Omar received the ball, ran down the flank, and when his path was blocked, passed to Menendez, who had drawn level with him.
Menendez quickly scanned around.
There were no particular issues with the team, but like the others, he hadnt justified his massive transfer fee either.
Unprofessional behavior.
What difference was there from Real Madrid players who got lazy after bigmoney moves?
Im different.
Thinking that, Menendez threaded the pass.
The pass split the defense, aiming for the space behind between the centerback and fullback on the rightand it was claimed by Yoon Taeyang, who had ghosted in ahead of the fullback.
But Burnleys centerback had spotted it.
Like Yoon Taeyang, Burnleys centerback chased the ball and blocked the path.
Taeyang didnt stop and charged at the centerback.
He feinted left, leaning his body, then switched rightbut when the centerback didnt bite, he pushed the ball outward with his right foot.
Definitely right.
The centerback thought so and extended his legat that instant, the right foot that had pushed the ball nimbly grazed it and dragged it from outside to inside.
A exquisite Free Flap that destroyed the centerbacks balance, threading the ball between his legs.
As the bewildered centerback lost balance and dropped to one knee, turning around.
Taeyang had rifled the ball into the corner of the net for a goal.
Goal! Its a goal!
Yoon Taeyangs opener!
As expected from Yoon Taeyang! Five games in a row with a goal!
He breaks through so easily and scores so easily!
As I say every time, how is this player only 16? His play looks like a twentysomething in his prime!
As the commentator shouted excitedly, the stadium announcer named the scorer.
8 minutes and 21 seconds into the first half! A goal for our team! The scorer is...
No sooner had the announcer paused than the Toon fans in the stands shouted in unison.
Number 7!!!!
Sun Yoon!!
As soon as Yoon Taeyangs name rang out, the crowd erupted in cheers and chanted his song.
Game restarts. Burnley drops the line and hunkers down again.
Theyve conceded, but it seems too early to change tactics.
Indeed, given Newcastles form over the last four games, its still the most effective approach.
Burnley planned to keep targeting Newcastles space behind.
The Newcastle players, aware of the situation, calmly pressed Burnley.
They even pushed the line higher and pressed more aggressively.
Burnley sent the ball back to their defense to lure Newcastle and lofted a long pass targeting the space behind.
At that moment, as if waiting, all Newcastle players except the front three turned and sprinted back.
Jenas was the quickest.
He quickly located the ball and raced toward it, battling Burnleys playermeanwhile, Arnold swiftly reorganized the line to meet them.
A completely different look from the past four games.
And with the change, they easily thwarted Burnleys counterand this time, Newcastle launched one of their own.
Jenas won the ball and distributed to Arnold, who sent it to Menendez. Menendez lofted it to the front line.
The cannonball pass landed right at Yoon Taeyangs feet.
Between two Burnley defenders, Taeyang controlled it with his instep and flicked it behind his head.
The defenders, stunned by the unexpected move, turned around.
As if reading Taeyangs action, Illinyu chased the dropping ball and unleashed his left foot.
A thunderous shot, like an explosionblasting straight into the net, shaking it violently.
Its a goal!
Illinyu scores four games after his debut goal!
This is the Illinyu we wanted! Powerful shooting! The keeper had no chance with that speed!
The score was 20.
Burnleys manager sensed it.
Its not working.
Their method of attacking Newcastle was no longer effective.
Why did it have to change against us?
Fxck...
As Burnleys manager shook his head and cursed.
The game was in the final stages of the second half, and Newcastle United had overwhelmed Burnley 40, sealing the victory.
Thanks to Illinyus hattrick, assisted by Taeyang after his own goal.