First A-Match (1)
Yoon Seo-hee was exactly as intimidating as she appeared. Her years of experience were evident in her political acumen. The moment I showed my deference, she moved among the domestic players and swiftly won several over to her side.
It was probably a warning to listen to her.
And beneath that confidence lay the skill that had once been hailed as Korea’s greatest genius before my debut.
Her speed was only marginally faster than mine, yet the footwork and passes that emerged from her slightly slower body proved why she had spent over a decade in overseas leagues. To lower-level Korean players, it must have looked like encountering a god.
Considering Yoon Seo-hee’s political power and career trajectory, it was no surprise that she had the national team firmly in her grasp.
Of course, her talent was not on my level, but rebelling against a top senior with an unassailable career was pointless, so I boarded the train of her influence.
Her skill was superior to most players, which helped my choice in pairing up with her. Although her feet were slow, she was undeniably talented, so training alongside her never felt awkward.
“So, what do you think of La Liga? Do you think I’ll fit in at my level?”
“Yes. If it’s someone like senior Chae-ri… she should be able to start for Deportivo.”
“Depor tivo level? Are you ignoring me?”
“Ah, ah. No, that’s not it…”
“Haha, I’m kidding. Just kidding.”
And I had made some friends among the players. Kim Chae-ri, the youngest member of the national team besides me. Kim Chae-ri, who had won the K League MVP last year, was scheduled to transfer to Deportivo after the World Cup, so she frequently asked me for advice.
It was slightly bothersome, but the only reason I endured that bother and listened to her was because of Yoon Seo-hee watching us from nearby. Her expression looked almost pleased at first glance, yet she was clearly savoring the sight of the youngest domestic player—about to transfer—and the newest overseas player exchanging words, enjoying the reach of her influence over the national team.
It was a rather twisted hobby, but since it caused me no harm, I simply accepted it.
As we talked, we moved toward the accommodation. Kim Chae-ri glanced around to ensure no one was watching, then approached in a small voice.
“Ha-neul-ah.”
Did she notice Yoon Seo-hee’s creepy aura too?
“Um… Do you know senior Sae-young? Be careful. She doesn’t like you much.”
But the matter Kim Chae-ri raised was entirely different. After all, Kim Chae-ri was far too young to perceive the political maneuvering of a 34-year-old. I already knew Kang Sae-young, the position rival, disliked me, so it was not shocking. She had been glaring at me with eyes that wanted to gouge them out, yet I had missed it.
“…I know.”
“R-really?”
“Yes.”
Thinking back, she had called me club senior-junior. Kim Chae-ri, who had only recently joined and mustered the courage to speak, looked a little proud.
Should I return the favor?
“Senior, you should be careful with senior Seo-hee too.”
“Huh? Why?”
“Senior Seo-hee is a dangerous person.”
“R-really? She didn’t seem that way. After talking for a few days, she seemed like someone who carries a lot of shame. I think I can read people well.”
Tsk. Even after I told her outright, her reaction was like this. And Yoon Seo-hee had a lot of shame? Contrary to her claim of being able to read people, her eyes for judging others were truly terrible. After all, at twenty years old, it was easy to fall into the delusion that one was right.
Well, since she was retiring after the World Cup, there was no need to stir up trouble.
It wasn’t bad to simply sink into the world she believed in and find happiness.
“… It’s because her football skill is dangerous. Senior Chae-ri also has to beat senior Seo-hee to become the starter.”
“Aigoo, aigoo. I’m not the starter. Senior Seo-hee has to retire before I can even compete. Even with my current level, it’s tough. Still, thank you.”
“Senior can also play at a high level, so let’s work together.”
Entering La Liga with an overseas quota at twenty years old marked her as a promising talent to lead Korean football in the future. Since I would be sharing the field with her for several years, I gave her some appropriate words of encouragement, then entered the accommodation.
And what emerged from the accommodation was because time had passed and it was the final meeting before the match.
In the final meeting, the only thing on the agenda was naturally the starting lineup announcement.
National team manager Lee Young-hee surveyed us with a dignified expression and began calling out the starting lineup. Honestly, she was not the charismatic type of manager but rather had a slightly doting grandma vibe, so even if she maintained a dignified expression, it was a bit amusing. But if I laughed here, it would definitely catch Yoon Seo-hee’s eye, so I listened to the manager’s words with a serious face.
“Goalkeeper: Kim Eun-hye. Defenders: Park Hye-ri, Seo Hye-won, Kang Yeon-ji, Kim Min-seo. Right side: Jo Seo-won. Center: Son Ju-hee and Han Ye-jin. Left side: Yoon Seo-hee. Top two: Kim Seul-gi, Ryu Ha-neul.”
The starting lineup was not particularly surprising, as we had practiced 4-4-2 throughout training.
‘If I say I can’t go out from here…’
Perhaps this was the last chance for me to leave South Korea. Once I debuted for the national team, changing nationality would become impossible. But with this level of players, reaching the round of 16 was more than enough. Players like winger Kim Chae-ri, center-back Kang Yeon-ji, and midfielder Han Ye-jin were young and carried bright futures.
There was also Yoon Seo-hee, who matched well with me despite not being selected for the national team.
If the players I had my eye on continued at this pace, it felt possible they could even reach the quarterfinals. So I had no desire to endure criticism and change nationality.
Honestly, my mother had led them to the quarterfinals, and I could not do less. And if my skill was enough to reach the quarterfinals, the World Cup victory afterward would fall into the realm of luck.
If a bit of luck combined with my skill and I became the main player in the Korean World Cup victory…!
‘Still a story of a distant future.’
While I was dreaming of the rosy future unfolding before me, I felt Kang Sae-young staring at me intensely.
‘Kid, what are you going to do if I provoke you?’
Those looks of jealousy were far too familiar, so I also knew how to resolve jealousy.
And that method was also simple. Simply show her a skill that could not be compared. That was all. It was a bit disappointing that Kang Sae-young’s eyes could not sense my skill even in training, but probably after seeing the actual match, the kid would realize it.
That I was at a different level from her.
‘Yeah, since it’s the debut match, maybe I’ll give her a little impact?’
To do that, this A-match seemed to need to be won a bit selfishly.
*
The match between the South Korean national football team and the Norwegian national football team at Ullevaal Stadion in Norway on March 24 was about to begin. Good afternoon, chairman.
Yes, hello.
… And today, a player will have their A-match debut. It’s Ryu Ha-neul, currently the biggest topic in the football world! Chairman, what do you think?
Actually, Ryu Ha-neul is a player who has already received recognition for his value overseas first, right? Some people opposed Ryu Ha-neul’s national team selection by citing that he is a man and sixteen years old, but in my opinion, if you ask who is playing the most beautiful football in the current football world, I would pick Ryu Ha-neul right away.
Wow, then how does Ryu Ha-neul’s chemistry with the South Korean national team look?
Actually, if it’s a player like Ryu Ha-neul, chemistry or whatever, the team should definitely be built around Ryu Ha-neul.
Ah, is that so?
Yes. And actually, in the national team, midfielder Han Ye-jin is adding creativity, but Korea’s chronic problem is the lack of players who can provide creative passes, right? But Ryu Ha-neul is a player who plays the most creative football even in Barcelona, so he can fill Korea’s national team’s shortcomings well.
Ah, I see.
Moreover, with Yoon Seo-hee who is aging and not as active, there is Son Ju-hee next to her, and Yoon Seo-hee and Han Ye-jin are surrounding Son Ju-hee’s sides, with Ryu Ha-neul in front, and the balance of offense and defense seems good, right? We can look forward to this line of Yoon Seo-hee—Ryu Ha-neul—Han Ye-jin. Especially, Ryu Ha-neul likes to come down and help the midfielders, I wonder what connections will unfold. I am curious too.
Now the match starts. South Korea and Norway’s friendly match starting with Norway’s kickoff.
The commentator is sucking up to Ryu Ha-neul so hard lol, is he that good?
I didn’t watch football?
Just watched national team games
Yeah, memorize it since he’s that good Ryu Ryu Yoon
What is Ryu Ryu Yoon?
Ryu Ha-neul, Ryu Ji-hye, Yoon Seo-hee
??
Korean football legend ranking
It’s been less than a year since debut?
Just looking at it is different, so memorize
Fuck, the Ryu fans are crazy, Yoon Ryu Ryu Ji
??
Yoon Seo-hee, Ryu Ji-hye, Ryu Ha-neul. Ryu Ha-neul has to show at least a year
Lol lol lol just the Ryu Ji-hye who went overseas in that era is Korean football GOAT or something lol
Oh, it’s starting.
Stealing the ball, Kang Yeon-ji! Pass to Han Ye-jin! Han Ye-jin to Ryu Ha-neul! Ryu Ha-neul! To Yoon Seo-hee!
The play that just came out is exactly the play we expected!
Yoon Seo-hee runs forward! One! Dribble him off!
Ah! Ryu Ha-neul is empty right now!
Yoon Seo-hee! Connecting to Ryu Ha-neul! Ryu Ha-neul! With defenders in front! Wow! He’s getting it! In a narrow space, Ryu Ha-neul escapes with two-footed dribbling! And! Shot! Shot! Shot! Goal! Goal! Goals! Ryu Ha-neul scores the opening goal in just 6 minutes of the first half!
This is it! This is Ryu Ha-neul! Wow…! Ryu Ha-neul! Amazing!
Yoon Seo-hee’s wide vision found Ryu Ha-neul, who was unmarked with a fantastic off-the-ball run! And Ryu Ha-neul’s signature two-footed dribbling and quick counter shot! Ryu Ha-neul, who could not be marked on the Champions League stage, is perfectly showing it in today’s A-match!
Wow… Who is Ryu Ha-neul? I’m only watching national team games and I see this guy for the first time?
Kid? Is Ryu Ha-neul your friend?
Lol Ryu Ha-neul is just legendary.
Yoon Seo-hee’s vision is old so she’s become a football sage lol why isn’t she coming out?
The team is Liverpool, probably will eat the starting spot in the middle table team?
So why isn’t she coming out?
?? It’s Liverpool
If you say middle table team, you can come out lol
Nongma
Ryu Ha-neul is hugged by Yoon Seo-hee. What a nice ceremony, right?
K, this goal has a lot of meaning! Yoon Seo-hee gives, Ryu Ha-neul receives! Maybe we’re seeing the present and future of Korean football!
Yes. I’m really looking forward to this World Cup.
K, the meeting of Korean football GOATs is interesting lol
But why is Yoon Seo-hee’s expression like that? She doesn’t seem to like it much?
Originally blunt. She didn’t even smile when they went to the World Cup round of 16.