Hanil Match -1
After the Champions League group stage fourth match against SL Benfica wrapped up, three days later, Real Zaragoza—freshly promoted this season—hosted Real Madrid at their home ground.
With the Champions League game just three days prior, Coach Valverde had given most of the starters a rest, scraping out a hard-fought win against Real Zaragoza. As the match ended and Jesus Gonzalez, scorer of the winning goal, appeared on screen for his Man of the Match interview, Yohan toddled over, urging me to play.
“Paa— come play! Play!”
The game was over, and he wanted to play, so I slowly rose from the sofa.
“Let's go, Yohan.”
Yohan got excited and started doing his weird little dance. I smiled and ruffled his hair. Taking his tiny hand, we headed to the yard, where Partasu had already started following us father and son. Once in the yard, Yohan began playing with Partasu, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
Could I really lead South Korea to the semifinals this time around? What if—just what if—we failed to advance? What if I lost this happiness? Even if I married Yuna again and had kids, would they be this Yohan? A flood of worries hit me like that when a small ball sized for Yohan's body came rolling right to my feet.
“Paa—! Go! Kick it, Dada!”
Noticing my serious face, Yohan waved for me to join them. His innocence brought a smile to my lips before I knew it.
“Yohan, wanna head inside now?”
“Puuuueeeeng—!”
“Pfft— alright, just a bit longer then?”
“Paa—! Yay!”
Playing with Yohan seemed to ease my troubled heart a little.
After Real Madrid's league match against Real Zaragoza, the international break kicked off. It was the fifth matchday of the 2042 China World Cup Asian final qualifiers. This time, the opponent was Japan—the eternal rival you couldn't even lose rock-paper-scissors to.
With deep historical ties souring public sentiment in both nations, neither side wanted the backlash from a loss, so they avoided matchups as much as possible. That's why the final draw putting Korea and Japan in the same group had drawn massive attention. As the game neared, the media started fanning the flames.
As the media poured fuel on the fire, time flew by, and the A-match against Japan kicked off at Saitama Stadium 2002. Famous in Korea for the walk-of-shame celebration and the Eul Yong-ta incident, Korean fans prayed Jesus would recreate those moments.
“We're obviously winning, right? Lose and it's over.”
“Fuck. If we lose, that Mutlike (nickname for matches without Jesus ending in draws) asshole needs to drop the baton!”
“For real, we've got Jesus bro, Youngbeom-jo, Dongjun too! This is Korea's golden era. No way we lose with this squad!”
“But Japan's balance is better overall…”
“Sigh. Jesus—men! We believe! Please let us beat those bastards!”
As the college kids prayed desperately, the jeers from the 60,000 packed Saitama crowd filtered through the TV. When the broadcast camera panned to Jesus, groans escaped the bar.
“...Did I just see that wrong? Wasn't Jesus bro smiling?”
“Yeah… he was, smiling?”
“When Jesus bro smiles like that, doesn't it mean he's pissed?”
“Right? Fuck, I nearly shit myself watching on screen. That smile screams murder.”
“That's the killer smile!”
“Junseo, that's lame, headbutt time.”
“...Sorry.”
While Junseo-faced college kid banged his head on the table, “Hey! Kickoff, stop banging and get up!”
Japan vs. Korea. The pride-of-nations Hanil match had begun.
Was it the unique Hanil vibe? Or the relentless Japanese crowd jeers? South Korea's players stayed tense after kickoff, making rookie mistakes.
"Overall, the players seem tense. Their steps look heavy. South Korea's out in a 4-1-4-1 for this one. No real threats created yet."
"Ah… And right as I say that, Korea loses possession again. Kim Jinsu's pass intercepted by Tanaka Hideyoki. Japan counters fast!"
Japan, seizing the ball, launched a counter. With pass-and-move, they sliced into Korea's penalty area but held off shooting, hunting a perfect chance.
“Tanaka!”
Japan's No. 9, Suzuki Hirokazu, dropped to midfield.
“No. 10! Block 10! No. 8 too—block him!”
Simultaneously, No. 10 and 8 infiltrated the half-spaces, crumbling Korea's defense in chaos. Amid the panic, only Kim Dongjun and Yoo Youngbeom—who'd endured Jesus' unwanted special training—reacted swiftly.
Japan's through ball went to No. 10. Yoo Youngbeom charged, narrowing the angle. Spotting him, No. 10 nudged it to No. 8, but Kim Dongjun's clearance was quicker.
Dongjun's boot sent the ball out over the touchline for a Japan throw-in. Korea, grim-faced, regrouped.
Japan built patiently again, then unleashed a shot as the angle opened.
"Japan's Tanaka Hideyoki shoots!"
"Oh! Lucky! Thank god! Japan's shot hits the post and goes out over the line! Korea's goal kick!"
"Yoo Youngbeom's telling the players to relax."
"Yeah, Korea looks intimidated by the Japanese crowd. They need to loosen up and play their practiced game."
"A win here puts Korea on the cusp of Asia's first 15 straight World Cup qualifications. Tough away, but come on, players!"
As Japan ramped up early pressure, Jesus suddenly appeared, intercepting their pass.
"…?! When did Jesus drop back?! Like an assassin, he sneaks down and picks off Japan's pass!"
"Jesus with the ball, charging forward! Go Seokjun's on the left flank!"
"Jesus lays it off to Go Seokjun! Accelerating into the box!"
"Go Seokjun crosses! A bit overhit?!"
Jesus kept his eyes glued to the ball, grumbling inwardly. This a cross? Go Seokjun that fucker needs special training too. Please draw Dortmund in CL round of 16—gotta train that punk.
Grumbling or not, Jesus stretched desperately. A few Korean fans watching yelled with desperate hope.
“Fuck, reach it!!!”
Tok— The ball tipped Jesus' toe. Deflected, it slipped between the keeper's legs into the net. Jesus sprinted to Go Seokjun roaring at the corner flag, grabbed his head, and shook.
“Fuck! Practice your crosses, you dog!”
“I didn't know! I didn't know I could cross with my left!!!”