196. Asian Cup (1)

“Ha-neul, the most important thing is not to get injured. Always be careful with your body.”

“Of course. Imo. Just trust me.”

“Haa... It would be good if you could come back soon.”

“...I have to win an international tournament at least once.”

“Haha. Then I won't be able to see you for two months.”

Angela’s lips were smiling, but her eyes held a trace of sadness. After all, I was about to be absent from the team for roughly two months.

Currently, after the first half of the season, we sat atop the league table with a record of 15 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, and held a commanding position in the Champions League with 5 wins and 1 draw.

And at the heart of it all was me—appearing in 19 combined matches across the league and Champions League, recording 19 goals and 13 assists.

In truth, even without those attacking contributions, the core of our team was me. Most of our attacks originated from my feet. Our tactics were not as sophisticated as South Korea’s, but they still revolved around me, relying heavily on my individual skill. From Coach Angela’s perspective, the absence of the tactical heart of the team was a cause for genuine concern.

‘Well, Camila could cover my role to some extent.’

I felt some worry on that front as well, but Camila was a player who could match my performance in the area of passing, and with no team other than Valencia capable of threatening us during my absence, I could at least ease my concerns.

It might have staggered us considerably if we had faced that kind of schedule in the EPL with a boxing day.

“By the way, we should go pray together in the New Year...”

Moreover, since arriving in Spain, I had not been separated from Angela for more than two months, so personally it felt a little regrettable. This side of the feeling seemed even stronger.

“There’s no helping it, Imo. Instead, I’ll bring back the winning cup.”

“Haha, that’s not something that concerns me, is it? ...Well, as a Barcelona player, you should at least come back with the Asian Cup.”

“Asia isn’t easy either, right?”

“So, you’re refusing?”

“Of course we have to win.”

“Good. Do well. If ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you find any good players there, let me know.”

“Yes! I’ll work hard and come back.”

After exchanging farewells with Angela, I returned to the dorm to greet my friends, and when we finally reached the airport, Yu-ri was already waiting for me.

“You’re here?”

“I didn’t skip the dorm. I wanted to see Angela too.”

“If I go, I’ll want to come back again. Next year, let’s go together next year.”

“Next year I’m going to be independent?”

“Well, after your birthday you’ll have to wait another year anyway.”

“Well, that’s true.”

“Ah, did you bring that?”

While we were talking, Yu-ri brought up the topic. She didn’t call the name specifically, but since we were in perfect sync just by looking into each other’s eyes, I understood what she meant instantly.

“This?”

It was the hijab. The agency had made it in red and white to match the home and away uniforms from Korea, allowing me to receive a generous advertising fee. It was like a blessing from the phone.

Moreover, because it was made by ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the world’s best sports goods company, it offered good ventilation and sweat absorption, so it was not uncomfortable.

“How is it?”

“...Wow. It suits you.”

...Even I couldn’t wear the hijab. Covering my hair and only showing my face gave a strange, almost gaonashi-like feeling.

“But why didn’t you put it in the carry-on? Do I have to wear it from the airport?”

“It’s not like ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠that...”

In fact, the reason I hadn’t put it in the carry-on was for another reason. Unlike domestic players departing from Korea to the UAE, players like us—European players—were scheduled to join in the UAE. Both Yu-ri and I, being European players, the final destination of this flight was directly to the UAE.

And currently, my image was not great in Middle Eastern countries like the UAE. After all, there had been the incident involving Diena and Amira.

But by wearing the hijab from the airport and showing respect for Islamic culture?

Then naturally, my image would improve in the Islamic world.

If that happened, the probability of receiving the Ballon d’Or—whose popularity heavily influences the voting—would increase.

Among European journalists, many believed in Islam, and among the countries and claims that could cast votes for the Ballon d’Or, many were influenced by the Islamic world, so maintaining goodwill even in daily life was important.

Moreover, I could provide advertising effects to the sponsoring company, so it was a win-win.

“Well, a good thing is a good thing, right?”

“You’re not planning to wear it the whole flight, are you?”

“Of course not.”

While talking with Yu-ri, another South Korean national team representative approached.

“Yo, you’re here. Late.”

“Chae-ri unnie, how long were you in the bathroom?”

“You have Ha-neul too.”

“Hey, Chae-ri unnie, you know she’s a girl, right?”

“Well, that’s true.”

With Kim Chae-ri, another Primavera League player, joining, the atmosphere became lively.

In my previous life, I always went to the national team alone...

“Hey, hey. We’re going together next time too. Don’t leave me out like last time.”

“Hey, you have to tell me that.”

“Ugh, no team spirit toward teammates. Just follow if it’s Ha-neul.”

“When is it!”

Well, such noisy things didn’t seem bad.

- South Korean Football National Team, departing for the United Arab Emirates!

Meanwhile, the South Korean national football team departed for the United Arab Emirates. Seven overseas players playing in Europe and Lee Ju-hyun playing for Al Sadd were scheduled to join in the UAE.

The next is the 23-member national team roster that participated in the 2019 UAE Asian Cup.

Comparing to the last Russia World Cup, with Yang Hyun-hee missing from the national team, young attacking player Park Hye-shin from Pohang made the roster, and young winger Kang Yu-ri playing for Deportivo instead of left-back Lee Ji-su, and Kim Seung-hee from Jeonbuk instead of veteran goalkeeper Lee Seung-yeon, overall young blood...

Meanwhile, South Korea, which reached the quarterfinals in the last World Cup, is being picked as a strong contender for this Asian Cup.

Ryu Ha-neul, who played for Barcelona and recorded 19 goals and 13 assists in 19 matches, Kim Seul-gi, who played for West Ham and scored 8 goals in 17 matches, Kang Yu-ri, who played for Deportivo and recorded 6 goals and 5 assists in 14 matches, Jo Seo-won, who played for Lille and recorded 2 goals and 6 assists in 15 matches, etc., Korea’s attacking power is currently evaluated as the highest level in the Asian Cup...

Also, Yoon Seo-hee announced her retirement from the national team after this Asian Cup, and national interest is focused on whether Yoon Seo-hee’s last international match can end with a happy ending.

- Ryu Ha-neul appears at Dubai International Airport wearing hijab.

Meanwhile, Ryu Ha-neul, who was controversial over the Asian Cup participation, appeared at Dubai International Airport wearing the hijab. Meanwhile, many fans flocked to Dubai International Airport to see Ryu Ha-neul...

- South Korea vs Saudi Arabia friendly match!

Meanwhile, South Korea will play a final friendly match against Saudi Arabia before the Asian Cup.

... South Korea is in Group C with China, Kyrgyzstan, and Philippines, and Saudi Arabia is in Group E with Qatar, Lebanon, and North Korea.

Before this friendly match, Coach Diena said, “Saudi Arabia is a team we might meet in the tournament. We’ll prepare thinking as if we actually met in the tournament.” and vowed for a win...

- South Korea draws 0:0 with Saudi Arabia in the final friendly match!

Meanwhile, South Korea had 72:28 possession dominance, recorded 19 shots, and pressed Saudi Arabia’s goal, but Saudi Arabia used their unique ten-man defense to block South Korea’s attacks...

Coach Diena said, “It’s just a friendly match anyway. No special meaning. We pressed the opponent well according to our tactics and showed a good appearance. Also, it’s satisfying that the players didn’t get injured.” expressing his feelings about the friendly match result.

- South Korea’s first match is on the 7th against the Philippines!

Meanwhile, South Korea’s first match is scheduled to be held on the 7th of this month against the Philippines...