Shooting Trajectory is Visible - Chapter 227



Only Krnovel

Episode 227: Important Evaluation Match

The November evaluation match is not just an evaluation match.

I don’t want to talk about mock exams before an important exam.

There was a much more important reason than that.

“… … .”

Leon Harpers glanced over the players who had been called up to the national team. They all had bright faces. They looked cheerful.

I don’t know if they are looking so bright because of their recent good performance in the A-match, or if something good happened to them personally.

Clap clap –

Leon clapped his hands to get attention.

“As you all know, this November’s evaluation match is not just a simple evaluation match.”

The evaluation match opponents were Asian teams.

Iran and China.

Iran was the Asian dragon, coming close to the top 20 in the FIFA rankings, while China, although far behind Iran, was the country that earned a ticket to the World Cup finals on its own this time.

It was something of a miracle.

Why, a miracle of the type like the Miracle on the Han River.

Since it’s China, is it the Miracle of the Yellow River?

Soccer fans, including experts, and even ordinary people who don’t know much about soccer, never expected that China would qualify for the World Cup finals.

Although the number of tickets allocated to Asia increased to 8.3 from 2026, there were still many countries that China had to overcome.

But China did it.

Although China’s matches were always marred by controversy over refereeing errors, they still managed to secure a ticket to the World Cup.

It was such a shock to China that the Chinese national team, which had been criticizing the Communist Party instead, was now showered with praise.

And they boldly threw down the gauntlet to Korea… … .

Ironically, they forgot their position in the midst of their continued rise. There was even public opinion within China that they might seriously try to do it.

Leon planned to defeat Iran, Korea’s long-time enemy along with Japan, and also teach China a harsh lesson for its reckless advances.

The Korean players here in front of you will teach you very well how to play soccer.

“Director?”

“Oh, um. Yes. I guess I’ve been thinking about other things too much in front of you all.”

Leon returned to the original topic and gave a long speech to the national team players.

Why is this evaluation match important?

Unlike other evaluation matches, why must this evaluation match bring about ‘results’?

that.

“After the A-match in November, there will be a draw for the North and Central American World Cup in December. Yes. I heard it will be held in Los Angeles, USA. And… .”

Leon looked around the room and deliberately paused. After confirming that everyone was focused on him, he spoke again.

“The pot allocation for the draw is based on the FIFA rankings. After the friendly matches in November, it will affect the FIFA rankings, and if we make a mistake, South Korea’s FIFA rankings could drop. Son, what is South Korea’s current FIFA ranking?”

“It’s 18th place, coach.”

“That’s right. That’s a very high ranking. That’s the ranking you guys have achieved.”

Above all, the fact that we caught Japan, that is, that we won twice, was a really big factor.

When Korea advanced to the semifinals of the Korea-Japan World Cup with Gus Hiddink, it was ranked in the top 20, but now it is ranked 18th.

Although not the best ever, Korea is actually the strongest national team that has ever played.

‘I think Korea’s highest ranking was 17th.’

It was a record that was renewed in the 90s. At that time, the FIFA ranking calculation method was so simple that the ranking went up just by playing a lot of games, and thanks to that, Korea was able to rise to 17th place.

Thinking back now, it was an absurd method. That’s why there was a time when it was openly said that the FIFA rankings did not represent actual skills.

But now is different. Now is clearly different from then… .

“In this situation, if we make a mistake and have a bad outcome with Iran and China… … our World Cup plans could go completely awry from the start.”

If Korea just maintained its current ranking, it would have been certain to be assigned to Port 2.

First of all, unlike the 32 countries, the number of countries increased by 16, which increased the number of groups by 4, and accordingly, the teams ranked up to 21st in the FIFA rankings were assigned to Pot 2.

Leon doesn’t think losing two games in a row will send them plummeting out of the top 21, but there are “what ifs” in life, and he spent a long time preaching the importance of this November evaluation match.

First of all, the players right now look like they’re floating around in the sky.

“I know that Iran, along with Japan, is a long-time competitor of Korea. If we can suppress Iran as well after suppressing Japan, who in Asia will be able to question Korea’s status?”

The reactions are coming in slowly. Bright eyes.

“What about China? They saw right by our side that we had destroyed Japan, but they are still determined to give it a try. Are you just going to watch?”

“no-!”

“I have painful memories of the Asian Cup, but the Asian Cup is just a stepping stone to the World Cup. We are a team that looks at the performance in the World Cup, and it doesn’t matter who wins the Asian Cup. And more than anything, Kim wasn’t there at the Asian Cup.”

Ahaha, everyone around them laughed. Some players nodded and said, “That’s right.”

“Of course I am grateful. If Klinsgel had not been fired, I would not have been in charge of you.”

“Don’t worry. Actually, I didn’t go because I didn’t like coach Klinsgel. If he were the coach, even I would have… done the World Cup up to here.”

Kim’s joke. Then the atmosphere becomes really cheerful.

“Let’s show the world how much Korea has grown. Let’s show that the Asian tiger has returned. And let’s proudly be assigned to Pot 2 at the World Cup draw. Do you all understand?”

“yes-!”

The atmosphere heated up.

Only then did Leon Harperts nod in satisfaction.

This enthusiastic atmosphere.

It will probably continue like this at the stadium.

* * *

Iran’s FIFA ranking is 21st.

Korea and Japan were very close together. If they maintain their ranking, they will be assigned to Pot 2 in the upcoming World Cup draw, but I’m not sure.

In my opinion, Iran should have rejected Korea’s offer of a friendly match. Why did you accept it? And in Korea’s home. You can’t beat them.

‘Well, we just need to do well in the FIFA rankings.’

If we cut off Japan and even Iran’s heads with barricades, there will be no one to compete with us in Asia.

At best, Australia is left, but I wonder? Even Japan and Iran (planned) are sending tourists to Korea, so will Australia be able to hold out?

Of course, this is ultimately just an assumption.

As long as we haven’t played the game, it’s just a happy circuit right now. First, we have to win. To win, we have to prepare.

If you set your mind to something like you’ve already won, you’ll end up losing even a game you could easily win.

‘That’s not right.’

I couldn’t even concede my first goal to Iran Tari, when I had not allowed many world-class teams and big clubs to score in my goal.

First of all, how disappointing it would be if we conceded a goal before the match against Holland. It would be a match that the whole world would be interested in, but if we went to an international match out of nowhere and conceded a goal to Iran… … .

Even I would feel embarrassed.

Click click!

Cameras going off everywhere.

And the gaze of countless fans.

We were doing public training right now.

That’s not surprising.

This always happens during A-matches in Korea.

But why… .

‘I can’t get used to those cannon cameras every time I look at them.’

Those white cannon cameras that fans carry around. The cameras are so big that they look like they’re used to take pictures of stars or planets, not people.

And if there’s anything else you’re concerned about.

‘Why are all those cameras only filming me?’

There were several national team players, but the cameras were all focused on me, who was in the goal.

“Player Kim Min-woo, wow~~~”

As I turned my head in that direction, the cameras all started clicking at once and an exclamation of “Wow!” came out.

I covered my mouth as I was about to rip it open.

‘Ah. I really can’t adapt.’

When I see this, I realize that Europe and Korea are geographically opposite, but culturally they are also polar opposites.

They came to the training ground and were so enthusiastic. I’ve never seen such a large number of cameras even during open training at Manchester United.

Even reporters only bring small, compact cameras.

Anyway, I put all my effort and passion into the training. Maybe it was because I was used to coach Giovanni’s training, but coach Leon’s training felt quite easy.

Maybe it’s the difference between the national team and the club team. The national team’s training camp lasts only 1-2 weeks, but the club team’s training camp lasts for a year.

After that, the open training ended and closed training began. The closed training was tighter, but it was still at a level that could be done. At least, there was no need to worry about getting injured during the training.

And now that all the schedules for today are finished, it’s dinner time.

The national team players gathered in groups of three or five according to their age and ate. Our captain Hong Min-hyung was there to keep the team together, but most of them sat and ate according to their age.

I was looking at my phone while eating….

[Kim Shin-ah: I guess the college entrance exam is over, so I’m going to watch the Iran match comfortably~]

[Kim Shin-ah: It’s not like you’re not coming out because your opponent is too easy, right?]

What is he talking about?

Knock knock.

[Kim Min-woo: Iran is ranked 21st? It is the strongest country in Asia after Japan.]

And a few seconds later.

[Kim Shin-ah: Oh… really? Min-woo Ham will block everything.]

[Kim Shin-ah: Holland was also provoked at the awards ceremony, but this is to that extent… Okay?]

[Kim Min-woo: I won’t be able to win over Iran with my mouth like that and I’ll do my best]

[Kim Shin-ah: Haha …

[Kim Shin-ah: Good~]

* * *

And time flew by and the match against Iran was just around the corner.

As always, the stadium was sold out, and we approached this friendly match as if it were the final World Cup qualifier.

Coach Leon also refrained from showing experimental tactics or lineups that could be shown in evaluation matches, and brought out the best lineup and proven tactics that we could show.

“Phew… .”

Kim Jun-young was shaking his legs as if he was nervous. Although it was sporadic, he had scored quite a few attacking points while playing for a big club like Manchester United, so Leon Harperts named Kim Jun-young in the starting lineup.

Now, it can be said that he has definitely won the competition with Jo Gyu-seok and Hwang Eul-jo. Kim Jun-young’s competitors were not Jo Gyu-seok and Hwang Eul-jo, but Bayer and Hoilun.

It’s amazing that he’s grown to that extent already. That guy… .

“Hey. Is a guy who plays for Manchester United nervous about an evaluation match?”

“Brother. Even if it’s an evaluation match for the national team, I’m still nervous. And I’m a starting player.”

“My brother told me not to try too hard.”

I told him what I always told him. Don’t try to do well, just do as you usually do. When you get anxious and think, “I have to do something!”… … that’s when the accident happens.

“You’re a good guy. What do you mean?”

*What is this? (short for Do you know what I mean?)

“Look at our Minwoo, he’s acting like a senior to his junior who’s younger than him. He’s so cute~”

And Lee Kang-im came up to me and grabbed my cheek because he thought my appearance was ugly.

No. I’m giving a good talk to my junior at Suyang High School, so why does it have to be like this now? What about my reputation?

“Oh my god….”

“Ouch! Minwoo is mad! Minwoo is mad!”

I want to go against the grain.

Son Heung-min is a player who can never be surpassed, but Lee Kang-im? What are you going to do when Son Heung-min retires? Just eat him up?

“Hongmin hyung~ Minwoo is mad at me~ He even grabbed me by the collar!”

“When did I!”

Son Hong-min, who was watching the scene, sighed and gave a cold look.

“What are you guys doing? Did you come to play?”

“… … Huh.”

Lee Kang-im quickly became a scapegoat. I also kept my mouth shut.

Mr. Woo, I’m getting scolded because of Kang-Im hyung.

“Okay! Everyone, pay attention here!”

At that very moment, coach Leon came in.

I looked at Leon with a sigh of relief.

Leon once again emphasized the importance of this match before the game.

And before leaving the locker room, Son Heung-min grabbed me and Lee Kang-im and said.

“You guys aren’t here to play. You’re playing for your country. This isn’t something that just anyone can do. Be serious when you have to be. You guys aren’t young anymore.”

To be honest, I felt wronged, but if I complained about it, it would only make the conversation longer and the atmosphere worse.

So, there is a magic phrase that I use in times like this.

“Yes. Sorry.”

Just apologize.

As expected, it worked.

“… Kang-im and you?”

“Okay. I won’t do that again.”

Only then did Son Heung-min show a faint smile, grab our shoulders tightly, and leave the locker room.

“let’s go.”