Chapter 69
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Post-Victory Blues - 3
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25th minute of the first half.
Kim Dong-jun, who came on as a substitute for the injured Ko Seok-jun, dismantled China's defense with his individual skill and earned a corner kick.
Jesus Joo nodded as he watched.
'So that's why Utilike used a utility player as a winger. How is his dribbling better than the right winger's? I don't remember him being this good last time around.'
The ensuing corner kick for South Korea.
Jesus Joo carefully placed his hand on the solar plexus of the Chinese center back, who was clutching his jersey with a face drained white.
"Hurk-!"
The Chinese center back swallowed a groan of fear the moment their hands touched. Jesus Joo was startled by the opponent's intense reaction.
'Hang on, I haven't even applied any pressure yet?'
For a brief moment, he wore an incredulous expression, but as Kim Jin-su, stepping up as kicker, raised both hands to signal, the South Korean players sprang into action to execute their set play.
The instant Jesus Joo received the signal, he bolted for the far post. As he did, the two defenders marking him naturally followed, momentarily clearing the penalty area.
Thwump-!
Kim Jin-su's cross arced toward the penalty spot. Kim Dong-jun sprinted full-tilt into the area and unleashed a non-stop shot on target.
Thwack-!
Unfortunately, the goalkeeper parried Kim Dong-jun's shot. In the ensuing scramble for the rebound, Jesus Joo spotted where the second ball would drop faster than anyone else. He shook off his markers with a divine touch to their solar plexuses, then nudged the ball into the net with a light poke before the keeper could recover his balance—completing his hat trick.
"¡Vamos!"
He sprinted to the corner flag for his celebration, where he could see the ecstatic South Korean fans.
"Waaaaaaaaah-!"
South Korea takes a 3-goal lead just 26 minutes into the first half!
Fantastic free kick, a cannon of a long-range shot, and now a clinical second-ball finish from superb positioning!
This match is made for Jesus Joo!
And as I speak, South Korea steals possession! Kim Shin passes to Jesus Joo, who starts dribbling! He nutmegs Lu Xun and blows past him in a flash! He's fast! Into the attacking third in an instant! He doesn't lose it! Dodges the sliding tackles coming from behind! Now penetrating the penalty area! Can't stop him! Jesus Joo! Jesus Joo! Jesus Joo! Casually chips past goalkeeper Lan Fengxu and pokes it into the empty net! Goal!
Oh! What a wonder goal! A wonder goal! But Jesus Joo looks utterly unfazed, like it's the most natural thing.
We're more excited than he is! How could we not be? 29th minute of the first half!! Jesus Joo completes the poker trick! Score is 4-0, and Seoul World Cup Stadium is in a frenzy!
Song Yu-na was watching the South Korea vs. China international friendly, savoring a home-cooked meal brimming with her grandmother's love for the first time in ages.
"Kyaa! Go, Jesus!"
"Oh my~ Those fools can't lay a hand on my granddaughter's husband!"
"Paa-!"
The moment Jesus Joo appeared on the TV broadcast, Song Yu-na squealed in excitement, her grandmother marveled, and even the usually indifferent Yohan reached out toward the screen.
The instant Yohan extended his hand...
Kim Jin-su, receiving Jesus Joo's cutback, fired a shot that just grazed the goalkeeper's gloves, resulting in a corner kick.
Another corner for South Korea. With Jesus Joo at 4 goals and 3 assists by the 45th minute of the first half, the hyped-up Song Yu-na wrapped a ssam while humming a tune.
"Hmm~ Shall we add more meat?"
She'd just wrapped a delicious ssam and opened her mouth wide to eat it when the incident happened.
Crack-!
Song Yu-na flung the ssam onto the table and rushed to cover Yohan's eyes. Yohan whined in protest at not being able to see his dad because of Mom's hands.
"D-D-Dad! Dada-!"
"...Yohan, sweetie, let's watch in a bit?"
Song Yu-na awkwardly smiled and soothed him.
45th minute, added time.
Even with the score at 7-0, we kept pounding China relentlessly and earned yet another corner. They were getting shredded so badly that their activity had visibly dropped—probably mentally coping by telling themselves they were just losing because they weren't running hard enough.
"You dirty bastard!"
"This bastard calls himself the world's best soccer player? Don't lie!"
"Little country boy! You're below Ronaldo!"
These fuckers crossed the line?
While Lu Xun tried to rattle my mentality...
Kim Jin-su took the corner.
Thud-!
Unlike the signal, Kim Jin-su played a short corner. Kim Dong-jun barely got his head to it, but it wasn't clean, and by chance, the ball went to the guy who'd slid into me earlier.
Tap
Following my motto of "regret after doing it, not before," I launched myself without hesitation, fully extending my leg to trap it. But unfortunately, Lu Xun shoved his face under my leg, claiming his head was the ball.
Crack-!
"Aaaagh-!"
I smashed right into Lu Xun's face. The ref's whistle blew, and I saw his hand go to his back pocket. I bolted over and pleaded with the referee.
"Ref! That guy stuck his face in just as I was trapping the ball!"
But the ref pulled out a red card without hesitation and showed it to me. Wearing a dumbfounded smile, I applauded the crowd and left the pitch.
Full time.
South Korea 8 : 0 China
The international friendly between South Korea and China ended, and both countries' media naturally went berserk.
Jesus Joo proves he's South Korea's ace with 4 goals and 3 assists in the first half alone!
Goal fest has fans beaming ear to ear.
China national team can't even make eye contact with Jesus Joo after his poker trick and assist hat trick!
FIFA suspends taekwondo-kicking Jesus Joo for 4 A-matches and fines him 6.6 million won.
Chinese netizens blast their own players: 'No fight in them at all. Cowering like baby chicks in fear of Jesus Joo.'
Chinese netizens envy South Korea's genius Jesus Joo: 'Our players are all lazy, money-grubbing idiots. Asian soccer (Korea and Japan) is advancing rapidly, while ours stagnates under complacent morons.'
China national team coach Feng Xiao criticizes Jesus Joo: 'Korean soccer is too rough and dirty.'
South Korea coach Uli Utilike on Feng Xiao's comments: 'Chinese humor? Sorry, I'm German—no sense of it.'
Uli Utilike unsatisfied with performance: 'We could've scored at least 3 more in the second half.'
Colchester United owner Jesus Joo praises fullback-turned-winger Kim Dong-jun: 'A talented player who knows how to play with his head.'
Europe's top clubs take interest in Kim Dong-jun after Jesus Joo's endorsement.
Jesus Joo on the China match: 'Nothing to say. I'm ashamed of myself for only scoring 4 against China.'
Chinese netizens on Jesus Joo's remark: 'He's right. A player who only scores 4 against us can't be the world's best—passing Japanese would laugh.'
Post-Victory Blues continues! Head-to-head vs. China: 31 wins, 15 draws, 4 losses.
Chinese netizens snap at Korean taunts: 'We won the AOS game this time!'
(Jesus Joo dropkicking while smiling.gif)
Look closely—this bastard's smiling.
I just can't fathom why this guy's the best soccer player.
Even if they're Chinese, as fellow pros, shouldn't he show some fair play spirit?
(Jesus Joo down from sliding tackle.gif)
Eh? Even if the opponent fouls dirty!
(Ko Seok-jun carried off after Chinese tackle.gif)
Even if a teammate gets injured and leaves the pitch!
As the world's top athlete, shouldn't he uphold sportsmanship and fair play!?
Etc., etc.
Apparently some idiots are terrorizing Jesus-hyung's Insta with this crap.
Would've spammed -zang- in comments if not for that last U-turn lololol
Those are Chinese living in Korea.
? What? Chinese kids are spamming self-deprecating jokes hard rn lol
Sadly, they're all Korean. Saw them flaming on Jesus-hyung's Insta.
As expected from the keyboard warrior nation... typing 'fuck' before even babbling....
The A-match friendly with China wrapped up. Due to the A-match suspension, I'd watch the Ecuador friendly from the hotel with family.
"Paa-!"
Yohan squirmed happily in my arms, making me grin like an idiot. I turned on the World Cup qualifier, nodding at how leisurely we were dominating Ecuador.
So my little spin wasn't entirely in vain.
South Korea 1 : 0 Ecuador.
Goal: Kim Dong-jun (65')
Now, off to watch Colchester, then back to Madrid.