Shooting Trajectory is Visible - Chapter 136



Only Krnovel

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The day I returned home was entirely spent with my family.

I showed off my gold medal to my sister and dad (I actually didn’t have anyone to show off to, other than posting it on Instagram once), and the day passed by surprisingly quickly.

When I woke up, my father was busy going to work, and my younger sister was eating a quick breakfast in her school uniform.

“It feels good to eat mom’s cooking after a long time···.”

“Wow. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you in your school uniform.”

Last time I came after the season ended, I couldn’t see it because it was vacation or something.

Kim Shin-ah looks at me while eating her food and then picks up the rice cake.

“Go and do your best! Don’t do anything weird. I just saw Son Heung-min for the first time and he’s holding a gold medal, hyung! You don’t have anything like that, do you? Kukuru champong~ ··· Don’t ever do things like that.”

“I’m not a kid. Why would I do something like that?”

Then, Kim Shin-ah and her mother looked at me with strange eyes. Why are they looking at me like that?

“Anyway, I’ll watch the Mexico match with my mom and dad. But I’m not going to be unable to play, right?”

“···That won’t happen, right?”

If that happens, won’t something like Lee Kang-im happen?

In the past, during the final evaluation match for the Qatar World Cup held in Korea, Bento called up Lee Kang-im and did not let him play for even a single minute.

It was a two-game series, but I think it was a tactical issue against Costa Rica, and in the match against Cameroon, one of the players got injured, so Lee Kang-im could not play.

At that time, Lee Kang-im was showing outstanding performance in La Liga, and there was a huge controversy about why Bento did not use Lee Kang-im more and why such a good player was not able to play because he was pushed out by the domestic team.

What made things worse was that Lee Kang-im was called in for the final evaluation match and not allowed to play for even a single minute.

It is famous that even when Hwang Eul-jo was injured and lying on the ground, all the spectators in the stadium chanted, “Lee Kang-im! Lee Kang-im!”

There were concerns and controversies that Bento might not select Lee Kang-im for the World Cup, but putting everything else aside, if he had not used me in the upcoming match against Mexico, a similar situation would have occurred.

‘If I can’t play against Mexico, it’s the same as saying I can’t play against Japan.’

But this is impossible.

Even if Bento, who has a strong personality, comes, it won’t be like this.

Wouldn’t it be more likely that I wouldn’t be used against Japan because I was so bad against Mexico?

“Ugh. Mom. I’m going! I’m going?”

Kim Shin-ah looked at her mother once and then at me once, waved, and left the house.

My mother stretched and spoke to me.

“Should we start getting ready? You said it would be 11 o’clock, right?”

“Yeah. Since it’s Paju, I guess we should start getting ready soon.”

We have already figured out that Paju is a region beyond Seoul, bordering North Korea.

I started preparing to leave home with my mom. We had some free time so we weren’t in a hurry.

First of all, clothes.

“hmm.”

Looking at the neatly organized clothes, I suddenly remembered what happened yesterday.

“Ah. Why are there so few clothes?”

Kim Shin-ah suddenly started going through my clothes, saying she would personally coordinate what I would wear for the trip to Paju the next day.

“What are you talking about? I have so many clothes, but you say I have no clothes?”

“No. Not these tacky clothes. I told you there are no clothes that a person can wear.”

“If you don’t have a girlfriend, should I lend you my dad’s suit?”

My dad suddenly barged in. The two of us became one and said.

“no!”

“it’s okay!”

And then Dad leaves, looking gloomy.

Kim Shin-ah’s eyes were more sophisticated than I thought, so later on, I thought it would be a good idea for her to just wear the Suyang High School uniform.

“Are you going to wear it?”

“···admit.”

The coordination that Kim Shin-ah decided on after 40 long minutes looked ordinary to me.

“Even though it looks like this on the outside, it’s okay. It’s a clean impression, so if other people see it, they’ll think, “Hmm, it’s okay!”? Also, why are there so many checked shirts? Are they from an engineering school or something?”

“I don’t know···.”

I just wore what my mom bought me.

Then, Kim Shin-ah naturally asked for the card.

“No way. Give me your card. I’ll buy you some nice clothes. Three for each season, okay?”

And then I was like, “Uh-huh?” and my card was taken away. After that, the last thing I remember was Kim Shin-ah running away to her room, mumbling.

“Oh my… It’s not like we’re going on a blind date or anything. We’re just gathering at a gathering place. Why are you trying to decorate it like this?”

So, I put on my Kim Shin-ah pick clothes, got into my mom’s car, and headed to the Paju National Football Team Training Center, or NFC for short.

‘It doesn’t take as long as I thought.’

I park my car in front of the NFC (you have to walk in to get in, at least to meet reporters and fans) and my mom waves to me to say goodbye.

“I’ll go and come back.”

“Go for it!”

Then I got out of the car and walked to Paju NFC.

I’m a little nervous about what this is.

And after walking for a while, you will see a panel erected by the Football Association in front of you.

In front of the panel, there were fans waiting for the national team players to enter the building. However, because of the location, there weren’t that many, and they were just a few fans.

And as soon as they see me, they scream.

“Gyaaaah!”

“Player Kim Min-woo!”

For a moment, I felt like I had become a celebrity.

Even though I don’t have many fans, I finally feel like I’m popular in Korea.

“hello.”

I raised my hand and responded to the fans’ welcome.

Then the fans screamed even more like pterosaurs.

There were a lot of female fans.

“Please take a picture!”

I approached the fans standing in front of the panel and granted them all their requests.

When I thrust my cell phone at him, he took a picture with his face right up to me, and when I asked for his autograph, he picked up a pen and scribbled in his own handwriting.

“I missed you so much, Kim Min-woo!”

“Hahaha, thank you.”

“I will definitely go to the Mexico match and cheer you on!”

“Yes, please come.”

After communicating with fans, it was the reporters’ turn.

The reporters stopped me and asked me to strike a pose.

“Pose? Uh-uh···.”

What kind of pose is that for a goalkeeper…

Should I show Ronaldo’s ceremony?

He was standing there awkwardly, and then, feeling unsure of what to do, he showed Son Heung-min’s signature snap ceremony.

“Wow!”

Then the reporters lifted their cameras and started clicking.

“Did you happen to bring a gold medal?”

Oh. How did you know?

As I awkwardly took the gold medal out of my pocket, another gasp erupted.

“Woooooo!”

“Hey!”

The fans watching from behind also scream along.

“Gyaaaah!”

“Show me here too!”

Sure. How difficult can it be?

When I turn around and show the gold medal, the fans scream and scream again.

Ah······ I might really get celebrity disease.

People’s reactions are more delicious than the strikers I’ve blocked multiple times in a match.

I put the gold medal back in my pocket, bowed my head once, and walked into the NFC.

At the main entrance of NFC, a familiar face was waiting.

He must have just been watching the whole thing, he was laughing heartily.

“This is really a big deal. The fans are completely in love with our Minwoo.”

“But you know what?”

“huh?”

“The director was the first to fall for me.”

And one eye winks.

“You’re my number one fan, right?”

Eugene Ho covered his mouth like a woman at my reaction and made a face of disbelief.

“What did you eat wrong?”

* * *

Leon Harpus.

Born in 1971, he is a Dutch national who was previously a player and now a coach.

And he is the new head coach of Korean football, succeeding the dismissed Klinsgel.

Like most foreigners who took on the role of manager in Korean football, Leon Harpers was also a manager whose career was on the decline.

‘He took charge of a lower-ranking team in the Dutch league and won the championship, and in recognition of his experience, he took charge of a lower-ranking team in the EPL.’

The team Leon Harpers was in charge of was Blackpool FC.

According to what is written on the wiki, Blackpool, which Leon was in charge of, had a brief flash of brilliance at the beginning of the season, but lost the league seven times in a row after Boxing Day, and then drew three more before being sacked.

I was quite surprised that the club held out for 10 games, which is quite a bit of patience for an EPL team.

It is said that they had confidence in the team because they had earned a lot of points in the early part of the league, but in the end, Blackpool changed managers frequently that year but could not avoid relegation.

‘And since then Blackpool have never been back in the top flight, and now sit in the third tier, dreaming of promotion···.’

This sounds like a tragic fairy tale.

Anyway, Leon Harpers suffered a setback in the EPL (the reasons being the poor player pool typical of lower-tier teams and the high number of games typical of the EPL, but I wonder?) and moved around the mid- and minor leagues in Europe.

The Polish league is also taking a beating.

The Swiss league is also a hit.

After that, as expected, he became a journeyman director who traveled around the Middle East and Asia.

Looking at his career and content, Leon Harpers seemed like a better director than I thought.

In the Polish league, he was doing well, but he made a political statement and was fired by the club owner despite the team’s good ranking. In the Swiss league, he was in charge of a team that was in the championship position, but due to a series of injuries to key players, he was eventually fired again (after all, a manager’s results are his life).

In the Middle East and Asia, they have always been in an underdog position, but have improved on their results from last season.

However, Leon Harpers was undefeated throughout his managerial career, missing one crucial victory.

‘This can’t be helped.’

A Dutch coach who was unlucky but somehow managed to get a good result by twisting his whole body.

However, in any case, he was a manager who had been moving around the fringes of the football world, the Asian leagues, and like most managers, Leon Harpers wanted to make a comeback in style.

I’m not dead yet! I’m going to advance to the World Cup tournament in Korea and then go back to Europe! ···That’s the kind of ambition I have.

For that reason, the position of head coach of the South Korean national team was definitely a good choice.

At the time, Korea also needed a manager who paid low wages, was good at his job, and was eager to help.

The chairman of the KFA was criticized so much for his alleged involvement in the appointment of Klinsgel last time that he did not intervene in the appointment of the coach at all this time, which allowed the KFA to make a good choice this time.

Leon Harpers, who wants to inject his own strong color into Korean soccer like Paulo Bento.

However, perhaps because it had not even been a year since the contract was signed, his performance was not very good, even to say the least.

Currently in the final round of the North and Central American World Cup qualifiers.

The results of Group B, which Korea belongs to, were as follows.

====

[Group B]

Japan 4 wins, 12 points.

Korea 3 wins, 1 loss, 9 points.

United Arab Emirates 2 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss, 7 points.

Iraq 1 win, 1 draw, 2 losses, 6 points.

Jordan 1 draw, 3 losses, 1 point.

Vietnam 1 draw, 3 losses, 1 point.

====

South Korea beat Vietnam, Iraq and Jordan.

But the problem is, considering the original Korean weight class, these countries should have won easily, like twisting a child’s wrist.

Leon Harpers, despite having overseas players led by Son Heung-min, managed to secure a disappointing win, and with the defeat to the United Arab Emirates, public opinion has grown even colder.

In addition, Japan, which had the utmost bad luck in sending Klinsgel to the other world, was assigned to the same group.

‘Plus, public opinion was in turmoil again because I wasn’t called up for the last four games.’

It probably wasn’t the director’s intention. He probably didn’t call me because he had some kind of discussion with the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation.

But the public doesn’t see those details. They don’t even want to see them. In this cold-blooded sports world, results are everything.

Although it had not even been a year since he was appointed, Leonho was shaken in many ways.

You said you were building your own team, but how can you follow Bento? Are you trying to tame Kim Min-woo because he’s young? If that’s the case, why did you cut Klinsgel?

Even though I’m just looking through the past timeline, I feel a little suffocated.

Even the opponent this time was Japan, which was considered the strongest in Group B and was now being called an Asian country with outstanding soccer skills.

Even though I was a bit of a pushover at the U23 Asian Cup, it is true that the U23 team is less impressive compared to the national team.

‘Even at home in Japan. Japan is calling up all their legendary first team players and now they are trying to completely overwhelm Korea.’

If Japan wins this match as well as the fierce competition in the Asian Cup, Korea’s overwhelming advantage in the past will become virtually meaningless.

That’s why you called me.

Leon Harpers also saw clearly how his predecessor went down the drain, so he must show the best performance he can in order to survive.

A match composed of the best players that can be selected from Korea, with a goal of at least a draw and, if possible, a win.

Now, we need to give more than 200% of our power because this is a match that will tell the entire population of both countries whether they are rivals or whether Japan is clearly ahead.

Perhaps even more intense than a World Cup final match.

“Hey. Minwoo.”

“yes?”

I was awakened from my thoughts by Yoo Jin-ho’s call just before I met the director.

“There’s a director interpreter there. Since you speak English, watch carefully how he interprets. I told you that if you only interpret what I say, he’ll be able to cut down on the amount of words he says.”

“···I can speak English, so do you really need an interpreter to do the interpretation for me?”

Eugene Ho is silent.

And then, with the words to go in, he entered the director’s office.

In the coach’s office stood Leon Harpers, the coach of the South Korean national soccer team, whom I had only seen in pictures.

As soon as he sees me, he extends his hand in fluent English.

“Nice to meet you, Kim!”

“Hi, Manager.”

I stared blankly at Leon Harpus’s hair. It was so thick. Half of Europeans have a baldness gene, but thanks to the Cleansgel, his hair was intact.

“I was impressed by your performance in Hanover, Kim. And the Olympics. This time, Korea won the gold medal for the first time in history, right?”

“Yes, that’s right, Director. It’s such an honor.”

Since it was our first meeting, I spoke stiffly and formally. I couldn’t meet someone like I was meeting a close friend for the first time.

“As a coach, it is a great honor to be able to coach players like you. How is Hannover? It must not be easy living in a foreign country.”

“Fortunately, everyone around me is nice. The environment is also good. I heard that Asian players who go to Europe usually experience racism, but I’ve hardly ever experienced it.”

I’ve only experienced it once. Of course, it really pissed me off.

“That’s really fortunate. Kim, you know, there are all kinds of people in this world. If you ever experience something as horrible as that in the future, I hope I can help you. You can always contact me.”

“Yes, sir.”

When the director said something polite, I smiled and said something polite as well.

Even though we talked like this, if you really contact me and complain, I think you’ll get an awkward response.

If you contact them after their contract ends or they get fired, they’ll probably respond with something like, “What the heck?”

Anyway, even though I only had a few words with Leon Harpus, I have a rough idea of ​​what kind of director he is.

“Okay. First, I need to explain to you why I’ve never called you up to the national team. So···.”

Leon Harpus explained in detail why he didn’t pick me. It was a very theoretical story. The adults’ circumstances were completely omitted.

I nodded as if I understood, and that was the end of my first meeting with the director.

* * *

The aftermath was busy.

I received the national team uniform, soccer equipment, and was also assigned a room to stay in.

Since it is very rare for an 18-year-old to join the national team, Yoo Jin-ho said that it was very difficult to assign a roommate.

And the person who will share a room with me for a short time while on the national team······.

“Hello, Minwoo.”

“······!?”

S, S, SS,

“Hello! Hongmin hyung!”

Captain of Tottenham. And captain of Korean football.

Son Cha-bak, one of the three legends of Korean soccer!

“Our Minwoo, when you see him in person, he’s much more handsome than he looked on screen?”

“Huh? No, no! You’re much better than me!”

Roommates with Son Heung-min!

Son Heung-min, who was second in scoring last season! If it weren’t for Holland, who is expected to split the era with Mbappe, he would have won the EPL scoring title again, and he is my roommate!

“Is this your first time on the senior national team? I know you’re still young, but let’s do well together in the future.”

Son Heung-min welcomes me with a smile.

Ah. Is this how the Argentine players feel when they look at Messi? He shines, he shines…

* * *

I had a brief meeting with the national team players afterwards.

To be honest, it felt like a dream.

If you turn your head slightly to the side, you will see Son Heung-min, and if you turn to the opposite side, you will see Kim Min-je.

Next to him is Hwang Hee-cheon, Hwang Eul-jo, and Jo Gyu-seok.

I saw Lee Kang-im so often during the Olympics that I don’t really care anymore, but I thought to myself that I really did make it to the senior national team.

‘The people I used to see on TV are now my colleagues.’

Before we could even talk to them, we were individually taken to a panel and had to be interviewed by reporters.

“It’s a bit late, but Kim Min-woo. How do you feel about winning the Olympic gold medal?”

I was momentarily stunned. How many microphones were in front of me? One, two, five, six…

“Player Kim Min-woo?”

“Ah. Yes! Of course, it feels good. It was the first time for Korean soccer to achieve this feat, and personally, the Olympic gold medal was a great honor for me.”

“Can you show me the gold medal again?”

“yes.”

As he took them out of his pockets one by one and showed them to the reporters, they quickly snapped pictures with their cameras.

“It’s not yet the age to talk about military service, but it’s true that you have more freedom in your future, Minwoo, right? There are rumors that you have offers from big clubs. Could you leave Hannover during this winter’s transfer window?”

Offer from a big club?

He frowned briefly and then shook his head.

“First of all, this is my first time hearing about it, and I plan to continue playing for Hannover until the end of this season.”

“No matter what offers come your way, will you continue playing for Hannover this season?”

“There are no absolutes in this world, but I am confident that I will be playing for Hannover until the end of this season.”

0.5 It’s a body-out technique, but the reporters just nod and pass it over.

After that, the questions were flat.

Did you receive congratulations from people around you? Did you feel popular in Korea after winning the gold medal? You may have to compete fiercely with the national team like you did in Hannover.

······Honestly, I had to try not to laugh at the last question.

‘I’m not in the prime of my life anymore, having just joined Hannover.’

The coach is also very friendly, and I have proven this countless times. Now, unless I get an ankle injury, there is no reason why I won’t be able to play for the national team.

Rather, they were in a position where they had to worry about overwork.

“I will try my best.”

After the interview, I and the players continued training.

Today, the training intensity was not that intense and the overseas players underwent separate recovery training.

I was one of them, and I became quite close with the players while doing recovery training.

Son Heung-min, Kim Min-je, Lee Kang-im (we became close friends in U23, but anyway), Hwang Hee-cheon, Jo Kyu-seok, Hwang Eul-jo, Jeon Woo-young, Hong Hyun-seong, etc…

They treat me so kindly that I feel like I’m just a neighborhood older brother.

I heard somewhere that there are conflicts and confrontations between age groups, but when I experienced it myself, it was all nonsense.

And late in the evening when all the training schedules are over.

I entered the room with my roommate, Captain Son.

We talked about a lot of different things.

About life in Germany.

About soccer players.

About games.

I was talking to Son Heung-min and I heard that the national team also has a group that regularly plays games together. That is, computer games.

Everything Son Heung-min says feels new and fresh.

This was also a place where people lived.

“Minwoo, I’ve watched a lot of your games, and you’re a very different type of player than the existing players.”

“Huh? Hyung. What is that···.”

“Why are you always so squeaky? Everyone feels that way, but you are the future of Korean soccer. It’s normal for your position to be a goalkeeper and not get as much attention as other star players, but you are different.”

Hie?

I was so shocked that I covered my mouth.

For a moment, I almost let out that bizarre sound.

Fortunately, the mood was not broken, and Captain Son spoke with a serious expression.

“You will receive more attention than Kang-im. And, you will probably surpass me in terms of skill. I mean, you will surpass my career, even though it is in a completely different field.”

“Hey, no, bro.”

He may say no, but his body is honest.

My body wanted more praise from Son Heung-min.

Son Heung-min is recognized as a world-class player in England and a legend in Korea!

Which player wouldn’t be happy when Son Heung-min, who is considered the best player from Asia, says that he will surpass him?

To be honest, it’s mind-boggling.

“No? That’s right. So, if you don’t suddenly neglect soccer. You’re doing really well right now, and if you just do that, you’ll surpass me. So just do that. Okay?”

“···haha.”

Oh my, it’s so embarrassing…

End

ⓒ Doctor Am