2019-2020 Club World Cup Quarterfinals (Part 2)
Club World Cup quarterfinals. Our opponents were Monterrey from Mexico, who had won the North/Central American Champions Cup.
Monterrey. I think I've heard the name once or twice, but it's not a team that lingers in my memory. Of course, as the champions of their region, I couldn't afford to be complacent, but it didn't make me particularly tense either.
'This is the first time I've seen this name.'
The Monterrey lineup, which I faced against Mexico last year but is packed with unfamiliar names, was a team with no room for tension.
“Ha-neul. I was thinking of playing only the first half in both games. What do you think?”
And Angela seemed to share the same sentiment. Even though it was still the quarterfinals, she naturally brought up playing two games.
“Two games? Aren't you underestimating the opponent?”
Pointing that out, Angela gave a slightly embarrassed smile. The sight of Angela's embarrassed smile after so long made me burst into laughter too.
“Sorry. As a coach, I shouldn't say that.”
“True. I'm a player, so even if you say that, Imo shouldn't say it.”
“Anyway, what do you think? Well, even if we play two games and have a rest period, I still think we should rest as much as possible when we can.”
“Well, I'm fine with it. But just in case, what about letting me play in the second half?”
“Oh ho, does this mean you don't trust your teammates?”
Tsk, counterattacking like this.
“...You know that's not what I meant.”
Angela laughed again at my gruff reply.
“Anyway, I get it. Since we've come all the way to Qatar, we should play at least 45 minutes each. Then, Ha-neul, you can play in the second half.”
“Yes. Ah, Imo. And...”
“And?”
“I don't need to wear the hijab, right?”
“It seems so. Instead, you shouldn't wear clothes that reveal too much when walking around the streets, Ha-neul. Especially shorts.”
It was fortunate that I wouldn't have to wear the annoying hijab on the field, but it was a bit disappointing that I couldn't wear shorts in this hot country.
Actually, I heard from Maria that as I rose to the world's best level, I had put a lot of pressure on the Middle Eastern football association to accommodate my preferences at FIFA, but even FIFA couldn't seem to stop shorts.
“Yes. Then, let's head out.”
“Yeah, don't just play 45 minutes and relax.”
“Hey, am I the type to do that?”
“Haha, I guess so.”
After saying goodbye to Angela, I stepped outside and found Camila waiting for me. No, more precisely, she was waiting for me to come out.
The purpose of today's interview was to adjust the starting players' playing time.
Camila was probably going to say something similar to what I had said.
“Ha-neul, what did you talk about inside?”
“Nothing special. She asked when I wanted to come in.”
“Ah... Ha-neul, when did you say you were coming in?”
“Me? I'm coming in the second half.”
“Then I want to come in the second half too...”
“No way. Kami. If I come in the second half, you have to come in the first half to balance it.”
Camila made a pitiful expression, but for the sake of team balance, she had no choice. The players who could provide creative passes from the midfield were Ha-neul, Camila, and the starting midfielders Lorenzo and Yelena.
But even Lorenzo and Yelena had some shortcomings compared to Camila or me. After all, before we debuted, the role of providing creative passes was Lucia's.
So, one of us two being on the field was exactly right for team balance.
Well, since my chemistry with her was so good, it wasn't unreasonable for Camila to make that expression, but we still had to distinguish between work and personal life.
“...Okay.”
“Yeah, the coach will be waiting. Hurry up.”
Leaving behind the dejected Camila, I headed to the training ground. There, I could see the players training under the coaches' instructions. Even though it was winter, the pleasant weather in the Middle East welcomed me perfectly for training.
On a day that was just right for playing football after a long time, I was looking forward to the quarterfinals ahead.
Honestly, when winter came, my muscles could stiffen and there was a risk of injury, so I had to show a condition worse than my best when conserving my body. But now, it seemed like I could enjoy kicking the ball without worrying about those things for a long time.
Time passed until the day of the quarterfinals.
We faced Monterrey with a mix of candidates and starters,
-WAAAAAAAH!!!
'What? Why all of a sudden?'
During the first half, Yuri, who came on with Eloya, scored a hat-trick, and before the first half ended, the match was decided.
'Kami got two assists and Yuri three goals. I wonder how many times she wanted to come visit my grandma's house.'
When we walked to the airport, I saw the two of them shining with eyes as they heard that they would be invited to my house if we won the Club World Cup, and I prayed for the opponent's luck, but this was an unexpected result.
Even if Monterrey couldn't be said to be superior to European teams, they were still the champions of their region, so this result was surprising.
Actually, it wasn't that the kids suddenly improved their physical condition or football skills just because we set those conditions. This was the result of all the hard work.
'Yuri's skill has definitely improved a lot.'
It was something I had felt continuously while watching Yuri's games this season, but now it was clear that Yuri had reached the level where she could easily beat even weak teams by herself. It was like she had outgrown being a candidate.
And I felt a bit of regret that she had gone to a slightly more relaxed team instead of Barcelona, where she could have played as a starter and received more opportunities and spotlight.
What if Yuri hadn't followed me to Barcelona?
She would probably have become a star following her mother and senior Seo-hee.
If I hadn't been there, the lineage of Korean football stars in this world would likely have continued that way.
Which route would have been more helpful for Yuri's football career: steadily competing for the starting spot in another team and growing, or living as a candidate in a prestigious team like Barcelona?
That was something I couldn't know.
But if I had to wish for one thing, it was that Yuri would quickly become a starter and shine.
If a right winger who played as a starter for Barcelona was a national team teammate, there would be nothing more reassuring.
Now, there were two years until the next World Cup. Although Albaria was heading toward the twilight of her football career, honestly, it was still unknown whether Yuri could defeat Albaria by the next World Cup. But for the one after that, there was a possibility.
Of course, assuming no injuries for Yuri.
'Yuri, hurry up and grow. Let's win the championship together.'
Even when we were young and appeared on TV programs together playing football, I knew she had talent, but I never thought she would aim for Barcelona's starter position... I felt grateful for that program that connected me with Yuri.
Pip! Pip! Pi--ik!
After Yuri's performance, the first half ended with a 4:0 score.
And I went in for the second half with Camila for the baton touch. The wing forwards were Albaria and Bruna, and as Valentina moved to the centerback position that was Tiana's spot, the second half began.
“Tina, are you okay?”
“It's tough. It's only one game.”
Looking at the coach's rotation, it seemed Angela was planning to give Valentina more experience in centerback and defensive midfield by using her fully in this Club World Cup.
Valentina walked to the centerback position.
Valentina had the ability to come on as a starter anytime, so if she just accumulated more experience, she would probably play as a starter.
Yuri, Valentina, and already Camila who had taken the starter spot and Bruna who had been receiving spotlight as a promising player since last year... It wasn't a feeling I should have felt before the game resumed, but suddenly I felt a surge of emotion.
One day, just like during the La Masia days, we would defeat Europe together.
'In that sense, today is yours, Bruna.'
Albaria sent a signal with her eyes asking for a pass, but I deliberately ignored Albaria's gaze and connected a pass to Bruna.
Bruna began to weave through Monterrey's defense with flashy individual skills like meat in water. Blocking Bruna's individual skills against La Liga and Champions League teams was quite difficult for Monterrey's defenders, and to help her, I passed the ball nearby, and soon Bruna found herself in a 1v1 chance against the goalkeeper.
And the follow-up shot.
-WAAAAAAAH!!!
Our fifth goal shook Monterrey's net.
“Sir Ryu. Was that too much? You sent a look asking for a pass.”
And on the way back to our side, Albaria playfully tapped me. Well, it was almost like an event, and since the game was already tilted, she didn't look that serious.
“Have you never thought that Albaria's way of speaking is a problem? Until when are you going to call me like that?”
“Haha, one knight is eternal.”
“So! It's not that knight! I won't give you a pass today, Albaria!”
“Oh, oh. The young knight is really angry.”
Albaria, who was sincere about teasing me like Lucia and me who liked low jokes, if she became Barcelona's starter, would she become this childish?
Later, I thought I shouldn't become like that and moved my feet toward our side.
In the following match, we cleanly gave one goal to Bruna and one to Routina who started as a forward from the second half, and when the match against Monterrey ended, the score was 7:0.
And the final against Flamengo also flowed similarly to the Monterrey match.
The only difference was that Bruna had played in the first half this time?
The score at the start of the second half was 2:0.
“Yuri. I'll make you MVP this time, oppa.”
With the comfortable score difference and having a career like this, it was clear it would help Yuri, so as soon as I came in for the second half, I started passing the ball to Yuri, and Yuri scored two goals in the second half, ending the game 4:1.
And the MVP of this tournament was naturally given to Yuri, who scored five goals in two games.
“Ha-neul-ah, thank you. Thanks to you, I got to be MVP in a tournament like this.”
“In return, let's go get a license together? I'll drive you.”
As Yuri, who had been smiling happily after receiving MVP, said she would ride in my car, her expression turned awkward. It seemed I would have to clearly prove how good my driving skills were during this rest period.
*
-2019 Club World Cup, Barcelona's 'Golden Generation' Shines!
Meanwhile, the promising players of Barcelona, known as the 'Golden Generation,' shone in this Club World Cup. Valentina, who played full time in both games, showed her solid defensive abilities, and Camila, who has been the starter since the second half of last season, played as an attacking midfielder and provided 3 assists, acting as the lubricant for the attack.
Also, Bruna, who played as the right winger, scored 3 goals, and Ryu Ha-neul, the 'Ballon d'Or winner,' recorded 3 assists, earning the silver ball...
However, the 'Golden Generation' that shone the most was Kang Yu-ri, who won the tournament MVP (Golden Ball). Kang Yu-ri demonstrated her destructive power by scoring 5 goals in 2 games, proving herself as a promising player who will lead the next Barcelona.
Whether Barcelona, which achieved the perfect harmony of old and young, can reclaim the glory of dominating the world over 10 years ago...