Shooting Trajectory is Visible - Chapter 230
Only Krnovel
Episode 230: The Unpredictable Team
The November evaluations were a huge success.
It was killing two birds with one stone: the result and the content. The 4-0 win over Iran was satisfying, but the match against China was even more satisfying.
This time, with an overwhelming score of 9 to 0, they properly rekindled the pride that China had forgotten.
I was also very satisfied not only with the score but also with Kim Jun-young’s performance and growth.
1 goal and 1 assist in the Iran match.
He even scored a hat-trick and an assist in the match against China, and has now established himself as a regular striker for the national team.
Son Heung-min may play as a lone striker like he did at Tottenham, but he will continue to play as a winger as long as Kim Jun-young is there.
First of all, the top striker in the Korean national team seems to be taking on the role of a fake striker, so Son Heung-min, who plays on the wing, could be more threatening.
“In this match against China, Kim Jun-young achieved a hat-trick, following in the footsteps of all Korean strikers. He is the first player to do so since Lee Dong-gook, Park Chu-young, and Son Heung-min. As a senior, do you have any words for Kim Jun-young?”
It has been a long time since a player has scored a hat-trick for the senior national team since Son Heung-min, so the reporter asked Son that question.
Son Heung-min, who had been pondering the question for a moment, soon opened his mouth.
“I think he’s a really great player with brilliant talent. He’s a guy who knows how to score goals, and he’s also young and has Minwoo, so I don’t think I’ll be too worried if I’m not on the national team someday. He’s a player who can do better, so if he works hard and stays humble, I think he’ll show us a better side of himself than he is now.”
It was a heart-warming interview. And based on that interview, I was asked a question.
“Son Heung-min said that he wasn’t too worried because he had Kim Min-woo and Kim Jun-young on the national team. What do you think about that?”
As soon as I heard that question, I started worshipping him. I can’t even imagine the national team without Hong Min-hyung. I hope that day never comes. My personal wish is that we can be together until the 2030 World Cup.
The corners of the reporters’ lips curved as they accepted my answer. Yes, yes. I know exactly what kind of answer you want…
The interviews with the directors that followed were also delicious.
The Chinese coach evaluated the Korean national team as not being inferior to the top-tier countries in Europe or South America, and commented that despite the harsh score of 9-0, the Chinese national team learned a lot from this match.
South Korea national team coach Leon jokingly replied that he would complete Son Heung-min’s last dance himself, as if he had heard the last dance meme somewhere.
And so the November evaluation round was completely concluded.
* * *
These days.
In fact, it was an atmosphere that had been continuing since the Qatar World Cup.
The popularity of soccer in Korea is growing day by day.
A Premier League player suddenly joined the K League?
That’s certainly true, but the national team’s performance was just too good.
Plus, there’s the rare performance of a rare goalkeeper.
Kim Shin-ah said that after she won third place in the Ballon d’Or last time, the internet and YouTube were filled with the highest level of nationalism for a while…
Well anyway.
If my performance contributed even a little to the popularity of soccer, I would be happy with that alone.
In addition, the sense of crisis about what would happen to Korean soccer after Son Heung-min was completely washed away.
First of all, the players are very strong. The average age is also young.
“…okay?”
“I told you so.”
“But why don’t you tell me?”
“I think you’re feeling a bit of pressure. But it’s understandable. Now you’re a Manchester United goalkeeper and you’ve also come in third in the Ballon d’Or.”
“hmm.”
I heard various stories with Kim Jun-young on the flight to Manchester, most of which I could have just ignored.
Of course, I listened to this story because it was related to Han Seung-woo.
Han Seung-woo, who was once the best ace of Suyang High School and is still performing well in the K-League, seemed to have decided to challenge the European market by all means, perhaps inspired by my and Kim Jun-young’s performance.
The funny thing is that I, who had grown so much, felt burdened and only told the news to Kim Jun-young, who was on the same team as me.
“That sounds good. I should at least say hello when I get off the plane.”
“Yes, hyung. Even if I were Seungwoo hyung, I would have been reluctant to contact him first.”
“really?”
“Hey~”
Given his personality, I think he would have contacted me first to ask for advice.
Well, it’s a good story anyway.
Of course, Han Seung-woo is different from Kim Jun-young.
Above all, since he is a player who has never received a running mate from me, he has to grow on his own.
It will not be an easy road, and with language and cultural barriers, it may actually fall into a swamp of stagnation.
And yet… … .
‘Because it’s meaningful to challenge.’
Do you know anything else?
If you hold on and hold on, I might choose you… .
* * *
Upon returning from the November friendly, there was a lot of bad news in Manchester.
Giovanni’s ward, which had been quiet for a long time, had reopened… .
It could be said that it was unrelated to Giovanni as he suffered an injury during the A match period, but it could also be that his body, which had accumulated fatigue, just exploded all at once.
Anyway, the players with the red cross status were as follows: Rasmus Hoylun, Lisandro Martinez, Kobi Mainu, Luke Shaw, Alejandro Garnacho.
Most of my friends who were sleeping well were lying down again.
‘It’s good news for Kim Jun-young since one of his competitors is out, but hmm…’
Is that too many? How can five people explode at once?
Naturally, the team was on high alert.
The atmosphere wasn’t good either.
Usually when you come back after finishing an A match, there is a welcoming atmosphere, but there was nothing like that. ‘Oh, you’re back?’ and that was it.
The staff also looked busy. It seemed like a meeting was held to resolve the situation because it was an emergency.
“It’s time for you to do it again, hyung.”
A word from Kim Jun-young, who was watching the scene from the side.
I sat there silently and scratched my chin.
The training that followed was simplified compared to what they usually received. In particular, the goalkeepers were simplified to a simple warm-up, but Giovanni seemed anxious that I might get injured even by the slightest chance.
‘If I get injured in this situation, it will be a real emergency.’
I trained so comfortably that I wondered if it was okay to train like this. Well, I guess there are days like this.
* * *
Director Leon Harpers flew in and arrived in Los Angeles.
Today was a special day.
Perhaps, this could have been a day when the history of Korean soccer changed dramatically.
As it was that kind of day, Leon was dressed up neatly.
There was already a large crowd gathered at the venue where the World Cup draw was held, and Leon went to the front of the crowd of reporters and answered their questions.
“Korea has maintained its FIFA ranking of 18th after beating Iran 4-0 and China 9-0 in the friendly matches last November. The previous coach, Coach Klinsgel, was fired after a series of poor performances, but Korea has changed beyond recognition since you took over. What is your philosophy when coaching the national team?”
Leon laughed heartily at the question.
The reporter who asked the question was a Dutchman from the same hometown.
Actually, Leon knew too.
As Leon became very successful and successful in Korea, his home country, the Netherlands, also began to pay attention to him through the media.
It wasn’t just a matter of being interested.
It was a kind of whirlwind.
[What? A Korean national team member is succeeding greatly?]
It was the Netherlands that had already tasted Hiddink’s success 23 years ago.
So it wasn’t awkward to ask a few questions to the country’s coach in such an official setting.
“Maybe Dutch and Korean people are a good match. Just kidding. I just did what I usually do. I just gave Korea my own color, and since there are so many great players, the results are good.”
“23 years ago, Coach Guus Hiddink led Korea to the semifinals of the World Cup. What are your goals for this World Cup?”
“Honestly? Or as a joke?”
“Of course it’s the former, Director.”
Leon answered with a grin.
“It’s a championship. Korea is a team that can definitely hope to win.”
But everyone just laughed, thinking it was a joke.
“Oh… So, there is a possibility that the Netherlands and Korea, led by Coach Leon, will face off in the finals?”
“That may be true, but I am a director who distinguishes between public and private life. Even if the opponent is my country of birth, I will give it my all.”
“Then what if we meet in the group stage?”
“My answer is the same. It’s similar to dealing with other countries. It’s just a little bit special for me.”
After a brief Q&A session, Leon went inside the building. Afterwards, Leon met and chatted with several people.
There were many coaches of the world’s best national teams here. And, among them, Korea was definitely a target of caution.
It was definitely that kind of atmosphere.
“To be honest, Korea is the country I least want to meet. I can’t predict the outcome.”
It was Didier Deschamps, the coach of the French national team. Leon was touched when the coach of the team that finished runner-up in the last World Cup said this, but he didn’t show it at all.
They just smiled and maintained the ‘unknown team’ concept.
“It’s not just France. There are so many Kims in Korea….”
This time it’s England manager Southgate.
Besides that, other key figures also spoke out.
This is why I don’t want to meet Korea, and that’s why I don’t want to meet Korea.
The reasons for not wanting to meet were varied.
Since Korea had a history of advancing to the round of 16 by beating Germany in the Russia World Cup and Portugal in the Qatar World Cup, it seemed like these European coaches saw Korea as a dark horse.
In addition, goalkeeper Kim has recently appeared, and striker Kim’s performance has also been extraordinary, so he has been seen as a target of even greater caution.
Leon didn’t mind being treated that way.
His status rose from a fourth-rate director to a second-rate director who was under surveillance, so it was good, but there was nothing worse.
After meeting people and going around like that, I got tired of it and checked my phone to find out about the world soccer situation.
[Aston Villa vs Manchester United, despite the loss of many starting players, Man U wins by 1 point thanks to Kim’s winning goal after coming on as a substitute]
‘… He scores a goal every time he plays in a match, so why can’t he become a regular player?’
Leon, who checked the news, felt both sadness and pity whenever he saw Kim struggling at Manchester United.
Maybe Kim’s recruitment cost was so cheap that he’s acting like that.
Their rivals, Hoilun and Bayer, brought them here at a high price, so they thought they had to somehow break even and let them play, but Kim was not like that.
However, if you consistently accumulate attack points, you will eventually win the competition and become the starting attacker.
After all, as a manager, you have no choice but to use better players.
Leon had no doubt that Kim would overcome this difficult situation and become a regular player for Manchester United. To be honest, his form for the national team was better than Son’s…
Leon, who had been scanning the news about captain Son’s performance, defender Kim’s performance in Munich, and players playing in other European leagues, finally put his phone in his pocket.
It was now time to start the drawing ceremony.
‘For now, 2 ports are confirmed.’
In order to go up, you need to have luck in the draw. You can only go up higher if you have luck in the draw. This is especially true for teams with thin squads.
‘As the number of participating countries increases, there are many weak teams. The group stage is the group stage, but what comes after is more important.’
Even if they make it through the group stage, it is now the round of 32, not the round of 16. While the group stage is not a big concern, Leon is worried that if they get unlucky, they will face an opponent that is too much for Korea to handle in the tournament.
“The host countries Canada, Mexico, and the United States will be assigned to Groups A, E, and I respectively!”
Host’s guidance.
Now the really thrilling draw begins.
Leon wished Korea and himself good luck. If they were to advance to Europe again, they would need to make it to the quarterfinals at least with these players.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
