Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Effects of the Special All-Army Training -3
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***
Suwon World Cup Stadium, where Union Berlin faced off against Oseong Red Wings.
“Uuuuugh—! Park Chan-hyuk, apologize!”
Thanks to successfully drawing all the aggro, the stadium was packed not just with Oseong Red Wings fans, but also with supporters of Korean pro soccer.
‘What’s this, a super match or something?’
As soon as my face appeared on the jumbotron, boos poured down so intensely it was hard to believe this was a friendly match.
‘I didn’t wish for “Here is another Old Trafford,” but I at least hoped for some cheers from the fans.’
‘Hmm. Maybe provoking them and then expecting that is a bit too conscienceless.’
Well. There were still some Union Berlin fans around.
Thanks to pro-Korea moves like translating the homepage into Korean, a fair number of overseas soccer fans had flocked to Union Berlin.
“Waaaaah—!”
I raised both hands in thanks to the cheers from Union Berlin fans.
But the boos from the overwhelming majority of Oseong Red Wings fans in Suwon World Cup Stadium only grew louder.
Whatever. I didn’t pay it much mind.
I had already achieved my goal, practically speaking.
What mattered to me in this match was how much valuable experience Union Berlin could gain today.
That’s why I scanned the pitch with a calm expression, ignoring the boos directed at me.
‘The players’ faces don’t look good.’
Union Berlin’s players seemed deflated by the crowd’s jeers.
I got it. They probably never experienced this many spectators raining down boos in the 4th or 3rd divisions.
But they needed to get used to this atmosphere starting now.
Our goal wasn’t just surviving in the 3rd division, after all.
The moment Union Berlin climbed to the 2nd division or higher, they’d feel this kind of match atmosphere in every away game.
Think of it positively—as a kind of preview.
‘Who’s the one making them preview for Union Berlin’s future?’
“Me, Park Chan-hyuk.”
As expected, no one was more suited to be Union Berlin’s next-generation manager than me.
“…Chan-hyuk, I know you started the provocation.”
Thomas Tuchel looked at me with a troubled expression as I patted myself on the back.
“Yeah, and you agreed. You’re an accomplice too.”
In life, the truth often matters less than you’d think.
Anyway.
I turned my gaze to the Oseong Red Wings bench. Contrary to expectations that they’d field their 1.5 squad, their starting players were warming up.
Just as I planned—the provoked opponent team was deploying their starters.
‘Whoa, it’s hot.’
Their players’ stares at me burned with intensity. If I were their direct junior, I might’ve gotten smacked with a bat.
I gave a light wave and smile, about to turn away.
Then my face popped up on the jumbotron again.
“Uuuuuugh—!”
I treated the cheering fans to some flashy fan service.
‘Ahh. Is this the life of a superstar?’
***
[Hello, viewers who love Korean pro soccer. I’m caster Park Sung-jae, bringing you the Union Berlin vs. Oseong Red Wings match.]
[Commentator Jang Moon-sung here. Nice to see you.]
[Two days before the match, right? Union Berlin assistant coach Park Chan-hyuk stirred up buzz with his provocative interview against Oseong Red Wings. Thanks to the hype, a ton of fans have shown up at Suwon World Cup Stadium.]
[Yes, in a prior interview, he named Chelsea’s current manager Mourinho as his most respected coach. His sharp interview style seems heavily influenced by Mourinho.]
“Uuuuugh—!”
[Oh. Park Chan-hyuk’s face is on the jumbotron, and the crowd’s booing him.]
“Mouuuuuriiinhoooo—!”
[Haha, he’s responding to the boos aimed at him with a ceremony. Boos met with a ceremony—it’s got that youthful swagger that’s fun to watch.]
[…Yes. Indeed. But he shouldn’t provoke the fans too much right before a match. By the way, what did Park Chan-hyuk just say?]
[Well, to my ears, it sounded like Mourinho?]
[Hmm, maybe he pronounced Mourinho in German.]
[Who knows. Anyway, as I was saying—the ref’s blown the whistle, and the match kicks off!]
***
With the ref’s whistle, the game began, and as expected, the early flow belonged to Oseong Red Wings.
‘As expected from a team called the royal family of the Korean league.’
Most of Oseong Red Wings’ starters were at a level where they could slot right into the national team roster.
‘Buying cash items… So jealous.’
Oseong Red Wings’ attacks, powered by national team-caliber talent, were razor-sharp, leaving Union Berlin’s players scrambling on defense.
Their tactics felt a bit outdated compared to recent European trends, but that was unavoidable given the era.
Back then, accessing overseas soccer data in Korea was tough.
Anyway.
Union Berlin succeeded in blocking Oseong Red Wings’ onslaught by throwing their bodies on the line.
Gradually, the momentum shifted toward Union Berlin.
***
Thomas Tuchel nodded as he watched Oseong Red Wings’ players.
‘We’ll gain a lot from this match today.’
Objectively, the skill gap between Union Berlin and Oseong Red Wings players was huge.
But that didn’t mean it was bad.
Facing higher-level opponents could accelerate player development.
Union Berlin’s players would surely grow tremendously from this game.
‘And that goes for me too, not just the players.’
Thomas Tuchel also lacked experience against strong teams.
Last season, media pegged Union Berlin as likely to get relegated, but that was because of rookie manager him and assistant coach Park Chan-hyuk. Objectively, Union Berlin’s squad was stronger than 4th-division teams. Just two seasons ago, they were in the 2nd division.
‘Plus, Yannick Feit awakened from mid-season, so winning the league was a given.’
Thomas Tuchel’s gaze turned to Park Chan-hyuk.
He was impressed again by Park’s eye for talent. Most players he’d picked had succeeded.
‘Did he see the future or something?’
Whatever. It didn’t matter to Tuchel if Park had seen the future or just had a great eye—as long as the results were good.
“Block it! It’s breaking through!”
Tuchel’s eyes returned to the pitch.
“Yannick, don’t drop back—stay there!”
Union Berlin’s players, even as they got pummeled unilaterally, refused to give up their will to win.
‘…Looks like the all-army training had a decent effect.’
Thomas Tuchel nodded with a wry expression.
- Trainee number 2 is being individualistic! Drop and give me push-ups!
The all-army training still pissed him off, but he had to admit it helped the players.
“Think back to our training! It’s not that different!”
Thomas Tuchel stepped to the touchline and raised his voice.
Union Berlin players, hearing him, intentionally opened space on the opposite side to lure a pass, then dropped their winger’s line to shrink the area.
The Oseong Red Wings winger, caught in the trap, lost the ball.
Union Berlin’s counter followed.
Thomas Mayer, with the ball, looked forward.
Daniel Teixeira screened the center-back to create space.
Yannick Feit sprinted into the gap.
It was a split-second moment, but their interplay flowed as naturally as if rehearsed.
Yannick Feit, calm with the ball, aimed between the keeper’s legs and shot.
Thud.
The ball left Yannick Feit’s foot.
Ripple—.
It bulged Oseong Red Wings’ net.
The moment their net shook.
“…Fuck. Did we really get scored on first? By a 3rd-division team?”
Suwon World Cup Stadium fell silent for a moment.
***
[Goaaaal—! Upset! Massive upset! Union Berlin takes the lead! They’re ahead against Oseong Red Wings!]
[Yannick Feit’s cool finish through the keeper’s legs!]
[Yes, but Daniel Teixeira holding off the defenders beforehand was key too.]
[Yeah… Huh? Things are getting chaotic in one corner of the stadium. What’s going on?]
[Oh. Park Chan-hyuk! It’s Park Chan-hyuk again!]
[Park Chan-hyuk’s knee slide! Wow! Did he study ceremonies professionally? A flawless knee slide, like he doesn’t even care it’s Korean grass!]