Asian Cup (2)

“Philippines.... Honestly, I don't really know. Anyone who knows which players are playing?”

The coach's candid words made the players burst into laughter. If it wasn't Deena saying it, I would have laughed too, but because it was Deena, I felt a slight unease.

“Well, we can't avoid watching the game footage. But what's important is not how to respond to the opponent. It's to do what we do. If we follow what we've taught so far, we can definitely win.”

It was a bit arrogant to say for a national team coach. But since the opponent was Philippines, it had some truth.

'No way, I'll lose to Philippines?'

There was that thought in a corner of my heart that I wouldn't lose to Philippines.

In fact, if I lose or draw to Philippines, the player who blames the coach is at the level of a bastard. After all, there are players in Philippines ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠who are taller than me, so if only physical difference, it's almost high school vs adult level.

'What's the big deal?'

With that, I entered the match against Philippines with a slightly relaxed mind,

Just as expected, we crushed Philippines and secured the first win in the Asian Cup.

Honestly, it felt more like a victory made by my personal skills and those of the attackers rather than tactical difference, but anyway, since Deena had given me full authority on the field, I was starting to think that I really had to acknowledge it.

"If we win this time, it's the first win in 60 years..."

"Yeah, let's give the Asian Cup win to Seohui-senpai on her way out! Seohui-senpai! Say something!"

"...Um. Let's do well."

Because we ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠won the first match big, the team's mood was quite good. We were close enough to talk to Seohui-senpai first.

Well, now approaching retirement, she feels like a toothless tiger, but.

In fact, Seohui-senpai felt like she had aged rapidly after the World Cup, but her appearance still looked in her late 20s, but the atmosphere strongly gave that feeling. Instead of actively participating in training, she was often seen talking with her mother attached, so in the current national team, Seohui-senpai's position can be seen as playing coach.

Perhaps, after succeeding in reaching the World Cup quarterfinals, she thought she had achieved everything and lost her goal. Especially in 14, she had been self-reproaching a lot for not advancing in the group stage because of her, so it was natural that she advanced beyond the round of 16 to the quarterfinals, and in the meantime, she led the national team by showing activity next to me.

Did I pour everything out?

"Senpai, then after this season ends, will you retire completely?"

"...Well. Anyway, I don't think EPL will find me... But retirement should be at hometown team. For now, if I'm found in Seoul in winter transfer, I'll go there. Agent is talking about it now."

Back to hometown team. Seohui will probably play well in K League. Her kick power is enough to take a spot in the national team.

"Then, let's bring the championship cup home in victory this time."

"...Reliable."

Seohui laughs. ... The cold smile that hasn't changed even after a long time of knowing each other.

"By the way, Ha-neul. Take care of your body. Chinese girls are not normal."

"...Yes."

In fact, the most cautious opponent in this Asian Cup is China, as per Seohui's words, the very next opponent.

Why?

Because these guys came targeting ankles. Especially since there are still guys who treat fouling the opponent's ace as a badge of honor among Chinese players, it couldn't be helped that I was worried.

Honestly, I wanted to say I want to sit out.

If it was the usual South Korean national team, we wouldn't lose to China without me, so I would have requested rest without any hesitation.

But the current South Korean national team is a bit different. After Deena's arrival, after a few games, we focused only on tactics matching him, and if I, the alpha and omega of Deena's tactics, the core, am out, we can't guarantee the win against China.

"The player to be careful in China is Lee Shi-en who plays for Fulham. A player who scored 13 goals in 34 games last championship. But this season, after promotion to EPL, only 5 games, 1 goal, so can't be sure of full condition. But sure thing is not to be ignored."

China has means to counter, so after analysis centered on Lee Shi-en, mother came to me.

"Ha-neul."

"Yes."

"China is especially to be careful. I also got hit a lot as a player, but not just one. Be sure to watch behind. Ah, watch front too. Honestly, even if lose or draw one game, it's ok to advance, so don't want to send to China match, but that's up to the coach..."

With mother saying that, it was more scary.

"Mother, don't worry too much."

Can't show worry in front of mother, so I answered with confident expression.

Well, there was no way.

'If score 2 goals in first half, coach will substitute.'

Our team's core is naturally me, and Deena knew that, so in the Philippines match, when the game tilted, he substituted me sharply to manage stamina. So, in this match too, if we dominate at the end of the first half, high probability of substitution.

Well, China has an EPL promotion candidate striker, but we have strong defense, so score 2 goals and

'Still, before the game tilts, they play normally, so quick in quick out.'

Ryu Ha-neul to be blocked.

The coach's order to Chen Wei-ran is just that.

'Having a fuss.'

But Chen didn't think deeply about the order. Why? Because he can't just chase a woman's back like a loser.

In the football world, Ryu Ha-neul's fantastic performances are reported, but in the end, man is man. If a guy plays in a league where women are weak like Spain, not real women, then if he plays, he will declare retirement crying in 3 days.

'Well, if I show what real football is, that useless leg swinging will stop.'

Even players who claim to be real women cry like little boys in front of him, so Chen enters with light heart.

'He is really handsome. I thought he was just playing with photos like those Bts guys.'

Actually, Ryu Ha-neul looks quite handsome even with weird hijab, but that's the end.

Chen is ready to perfectly block the guy. Now just wait for the ball to come to the guy.

But Korea always does, starts passing from back.

'Where, let's see once.'

Since ball not coming, bored, Chen sticks close to Ryu Ha-neul. If he sprayed perfume in the stadium, good smell not bad smell comes from near Ryu Ha-neul's crown.

And that smell touches Chen's heart.

'Who dares to spray perfume in the sacred pitch? This is why men are...'

Chen's hand that was just thinking to bother from side goes towards Ryu Ha-neul's back. And, between not being seen by referee, in a position where camera can't catch because body covering, pat, lightly pats Ryu Ha-neul's back.

"Sigh."

'That guy...'

Ryu Ha-neul turns with sharp eyes, thought beautiful for a moment, but Chen quickly snaps out and answers.

"What."

And Ryu Ha-neul's head turns with his woman-like answer. Natural, since the young man received the gaze that women find hard to bear.

Chen thinks if he was harsh, but since it's representing country, can't put private feelings.

So, just as he tries to hit the back again,

'Uh...?!'

Ryu Ha-neul jumps forward. For a moment thinking he ran away, but suddenly the ball comes almost as fast as a shot to Ryu Ha-neul, Chen immediately follows.

But even if follow immediately, the hesitation in timing made big difference.

The guy holds the ball and runs. Chen instinctively extends leg, and feels something brushing through the space between legs.

'...Eh?'

The moment feels the ball slipped between his legs, Chen has no choice but to follow Ryu Ha-neul, and as he tries to grab the jersey.

The guy's body that was staggering like a willow tree suddenly bends 90 degrees.

"Guek!"

Chen who was turning to follow the movement feels signal from knee, before bigger thing happens, sends the direction of the force to the ground.

Bang!

Ryu Ha-neul's free kick breaks the 400 line, connects to Korea's striker Kim Seul-gi. And the net shakes.

'This, what is this...'

Didn't realize what happened, conceded first goal....

And Chen finally realizes.

This guy is not the kind that can be blocked by hand tricks.