Shooting Trajectory is Visible - Chapter 233



Only Krnovel

Episode 233: Man U fans are laughing

“Does everyone understand?”

Hwang Hee-cheon responded to the coach’s request with silence. It was the first time in his career as a player that he had received such a request.

I nodded my head in response to the question being asked again, but inside I thought, ‘Is this right?’

‘Causing confusion in front of the gate…’

This is a nice way to say ‘chaos’, but it meant to act rough and violently.

Hwang Hee-cheon looked at the director’s face and thought again.

‘Will this measure work in this day and age of video review?’

If the goal is to anger the opposing players, this command might be okay.

However, as far as Hwang Hee-cheon knows, Manchester United’s defense is not that immature.

If we really want to be picky, Minwoo is young so he might get upset and do something like take the card in an unexpected situation, but I’m not sure…

Just as Hwang Hee-cheon was confused, other players also had a hard time understanding the coach’s order, raising their hands here and there to ask questions.

“Director, is there anything we can gain from that action?”

“Of course, Joao. As you all know, when players get tangled up and get rough, unexpected behaviors are bound to occur. And unexpected behaviors always lead to unexpected variables.”

“… … .”

“… … .”

“In the manager’s view, to subdue Manchester United, we need to create unexpected and unusual variables. There is nothing more effective than going wild to create variables.”

Hwang Hee-cheon thought about it carefully.

‘…Is that so?’

It sounds like nonsense, but it also seems plausible.

In fact, it was almost an established fact in the soccer world that Kim Min-woo could not be defeated by normal methods.

In the past, during the Olympics, he was caught offside by Messi and Mbappe, but now he has grown beyond comparison.

“Am I wrong? How else are we going to get through Kim if there’s no unexpected variable? Raise your hand if there’s another way.”

The director shouted proudly, but he must have felt ashamed of his own claim because he said that. Hwang Hee-cheon scratched his neck without raising his hand.

‘Rather… okay. If Minwoo gets through this time and we concede a point, that’ll be good in its own way.’

That’s just 1 goal conceded in 38 games.

And, the Kim Min-woo I know would definitely work hard to improve his weaknesses. He would study hard to make sure that he never has to suffer like this again.

If the director’s orders were appropriate and Minwoo was able to break through, Minwoo would later come back after making up for that weakness, and if Minwoo was not able to break through despite the director’s orders, that would also be a good thing in its own right.

‘World Cup….’

Hong Min-hyung’s last World Cup.

Hwang Hee-cheon played with Son Heung-min in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

I don’t even want to remember 2018.

Hwang Hee-cheon still feels resentful towards coach Shin Tae-young for leaving him out of the match against Germany.

But 2022 was definitely better.

Although he did not play much due to injury, he advanced to the round of 16 for the first time in 12 years.

Hee-Cheon wanted to go as high as possible in the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which will likely be Hong-Min’s last World Cup.

‘I want to see through Minwoo, but…’

It was good for Hee-Cheon to show his ironclad side to Wolverhampton, just like he did to other teams. That’s because such a goalkeeper is a member of the South Korean national team.

And Heechun didn’t think much about things like winning championships at the club.

More importantly, maybe I dream because I have Minwoo.

‘The World Cup trophy. It looks like it could really happen.’

The difference between the national team when Minwoo was out and after he joined was so obvious. I had also talked about this with Hongmin hyung.

[… … Minwoo is good at blocking, but it doesn’t make sense for him to help with the offense. I thought Seongyoung hyung was coming in?]

Hong Min, who is stingy when it comes to praising others, praised Min Woo until his mouth was dry. And it wasn’t about boring topics like his good defense, but about his build-up and attack transitions.

If we just show the same form we are showing now at the World Cup, we will really―

“Hwang! What are you doing! Come quickly!”

“…ah!”

I was thinking about something else before the game.

Hwang Hee-cheon hurriedly left the locker room at the captain’s shout, then entered the stadium and shook hands with Manchester United players.

‘huh?’

What the heck? Kim Jun-young? You always whine about being a substitute, but today you’re a starter?

Heechun smiled brightly as he shook hands with Junyoung Kim. Junyoung Kim smiled back and shook his hand.

And… …Kim Min-woo.

‘I can’t imagine this guy losing.’

A guy who can see through any strategy and prevent losses.

Heechun shook hands with Minwoo. The guy raised his eyebrows in joy. Heechun couldn’t help but laugh at that action.

‘Okay. Whether you win or lose, just have fun.’

After all, we are on the same team in the national team.

They say if you can’t beat them, join them, and that’s exactly what I’m like.

* * *

Korean derby.

Kim Min-woo vs. Hwang Hee-cheon.

There was no way that ShootinLove, a major YouTuber with 2 million subscribers, would not attend this match that was reeking of views.

Shoot in Love decided to film match-related content with Park Ji-sung and his close friend Evra.

It was a pre-screening of the upcoming Kim Min-woo content.

After taking their seats and before the game started, some spectators passed by Park Ji-sung and Evra, saying things like, “We miss you guys” and “We need players like you in our team.”

It was good broadcast material.

And the game is going on.

As legends from Manchester United, Park Ji-sung and Evra watch the game very seriously.

“Garnazzo is still not fully recovered from his movements?”

“No. That’s just how he is.”

“…okay?”

And Wolverhampton’s attack.

It was a surprisingly precise mid-range shot, but Kim Min-woo flew up and blocked it.

For most goalkeepers, it would be a spectacular save that would happen once or twice a game, but for Kim Min-woo, such saves were very common.

Clap clap clap clap!

But it’s different for those watching.

No matter how hard they try to block it every time, the fans know how difficult it is, so they applauded with relief.

“I’m not surprised anymore, Ji. I’m really curious to see how far your country will go in the World Cup. It’s less than a year away.”

Evra’s remark. Park Ji-Sung smiles and responds.

“You know what? Even Kim is strong at penalty kicks.”

“Shall I tell you something even more surprising? Up until now, a penalty shootout has only worked once. Is this guy really Korean? Or is he an alien?”

“I don’t know either.”

And the game starts again.

During the build-up, the ball came to Kim Min-woo. When Hwang Hee-cheon rushed to check it, Kim Min-woo kicked it forward and passed it.

“Oh! Kim gave and Kim received!”

Kim Min-woo delivered a rocket to Kim Jun-young.

Kim Jun-young won a heading challenge before passing to Garnazzo, who was coming down the flank.

Garnazzo came into the box and beat a defender.

It was a shot that made both Park Ji-Sung and Evra jump up at the same time.

Tae-aeng!

And it hit the goal post.

Voices of sighs can be heard from all over the place.

It was such a shame. If it had been hit just 3cm to the side, it would have gone in… .

“Have you seen Kim?”

“Kim? Which Kim?”

“Forward Kim! That was a great pass. Ji, I thought you were watching me?”

“Ahaha.”

Two Manchester United legends smiling brightly at their decent performance. Shoot in Love was smiling.

* * *

I felt a strange sense of uneasiness while playing the game.

“…what?”

Something, something.

Today’s game was a close one, unlike the previous game against Fulham, but today, Wolverhampton’s attack felt particularly rough.

Is it just team colors?

“Everyone, get ready!”

Just then, a corner kick for Wolverhampton.

The players fought fiercely for positions, and when the referee blew his whistle and the ball came flying in, the fight for positions turned into a fight for the right to serve.

‘It’s a chaotic situation.’

The ball doesn’t fall all at once, but bounces around and keeps circling nearby.

I concentrated all my attention in case I got hit, and when the ball rolled weakly, I quickly ran over and stretched out my hand.

however….

“evil!”

In fact, even though it was a route I was blocking, the opposing attacker did not slow down until the very end and collided with me.

I held my wrist as I rolled the ball over the goal line.

The opposing attacker, who had already entered the goal and was lying down, pressed hard on my wrist, which was quite painful.

“Fuck!”

As a goalkeeper, I knew with my intuition that this was clearly intentional.

As I held my wrist and cried out in pain for a while, the referee stopped the game and medical staff from Manchester United rushed over.

‘Honestly, it’s not like it’s something that would kill you because of its characteristics.’

It’s annoying. I looked at Hwang Hee-cheon who was nearby. And I asked with my eyes, ‘Did the director tell you to do that?’

Hwang Hee-cheon looked into my eyes for about two seconds, then turned his head away with a sad frog-like look in his eyes.

I could tell for sure by his actions. Hwang Hee-cheon was clearly saying, ‘Yeah. That’s right.’

“ah.”

While receiving treatment from the medical staff (while the coach was giving tactical instructions), I thought:

‘The ace control is really too much. It was like that in Germany and also in the match against Arsenal. It looks like they are trying to soak it because it doesn’t seem to work anymore.’

I can’t get through it, so I’m going to break it.

What era are these guys living in?

And the surroundings become chaotic.

“What’s going on?”

One of the medical staff members who was looking around answered my question.

“I think the referee is going to check with VAR. Is he going to check if the collision was intentional?”

“is it so?”

no.

Why would an EPL referee do something like that?

I asked the medical staff to treat me a little more, even though I was feeling a bit bewildered. It was a perfect way to interrupt the flow, and it seemed like Giovanni’s tactical instructions were still continuing.

‘Ah. It’s comfortable.’

So that’s why the Middle Eastern kids just lie down and watch. In the meantime, the referee came out of the technical area and made his decision.

He approached the player who had stepped on my wrist and took out a card. It was a red card.

“Yes.”

The Wolverhampton players protested as if it was unfair, but it didn’t work. Why would they do such barbaric things in this day and age?

‘I think the opposing manager must have thought he couldn’t get through me, so he did this to put pressure on Giovanni to make a substitution, but it’s impossible.’

And you can’t just replace him because he’s doing this. Then he’ll be an inspiration to other teams, and I’ll have to keep facing ignorant players who just throw themselves at him every game…

“Kim. How are you? Can you keep running?”

“I’m okay. I’m not sick.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. If I get sick along the way, I’ll send a signal.”

“Okay, I got it. Let’s definitely go to the hospital after the game.”

“yes.”

The medical staff also nodded and stepped back, apparently deciding that there was no major problem.

After I put on my gloves and hesitated, the game resumed.

And I looked in the direction of the Wolverhampton manager.

It was hard to see from a distance, but the Wolverhampton manager was covering his mouth with his hand.

‘It looks really good.’

Keep going. Tsk.

* * *

And the game quickly started to lose its flavor.

The tight balance began to tilt as Wolverhampton lost a player, and Wolverhampton seemed to acknowledge the gap and switched from offense to defense.

Well then, I should help this trend too.

“Old!”

Take this, Junyoung!

I went outside the penalty box and actively helped Manchester United’s attack.

Since I tend to pass long passes exquisitely, Wolverhampton didn’t respond well to my passes.

Kim Jun-young wins the header challenge like last time and gives it to Rashford.

And then Rashford’s run begins.

More precisely, he started rolling around the ground in Wolverhampton’s defense within two seconds of starting.

Beep!

The referee’s whistle. It was a foul call in front of the box.

And that location.

‘This is my favorite witch.’

I licked my lips with my tongue.

Maguire and Varane, who were standing guard, immediately turned their heads and looked at me.

“Kim!”

“haha.”

In the past, people would look at me with skepticism if I said I would take a free kick, but now they look at me with eyes telling me to hurry up and go up.

‘Yeah, whatever.’

I have to live up to expectations.

I quickly went up and headed to where the free kick was decided.

Hwang Hee-cheon was also nearby, and when his eyes met mine, his expression became a bit resigned.

“Hey, brother. Relax your expression. Why do you look like you’ve already eaten?”

“… … .”

Hwang Hee-cheon doesn’t answer.

I looked ahead, dazed.

Soon the Wolverhampton scrum was complete and I looked beyond it.

‘It’s probably about 25 meters to the goal.’

It was just the right distance to score a goal.

And this angle, this composition. It was familiar.

I wonder if he’s scored the most goals from this exact position.

Beep!

The whistle blew, I turned on the quick and accurate kick and ran to the location I had designated.

Boohoo!

The location I chose is the top left corner.

A place that is difficult to stop even if you know about it.

Even if I were guarding the goal, I think that position would be extremely difficult to block.

The ball I kicked just barely grazed the crossbar and went in.

The Old Trafford crowd rises to their feet and begins to cheer.

“Kiiiiim―!”

The players ran over to congratulate me.

I shook off my teammates and ran towards the corner kick flag.

I tend to refrain from extreme ceremonies, but today I didn’t want to do one.

So I ran as fast as I could and kicked the corner kick flag.

Kwajik-!

The orange flag was shattered by my kick. It was some kind of protest. I don’t give a shit if you try to hurt me or something like that… .

… … And for my violent behavior, I had to get a card from the referee. I didn’t complain because I expected to get one.

“Why! Why!”

“… Hey, hey. Stop it. You take it too.”

And then, out of the blue, Kim Jun-young actively defends himself. The referee looks flustered as well, staring blankly at Kim Jun-young.

I received it, so why is he mad?