Shooting Trajectory is Visible - Chapter 311



Only Krnovel

Episode 311: New History

The score is 3 to 0.

The referee must have thought the game was over, because he blew the final whistle shortly after our celebration.

Beep, beep, beep, three times.

As soon as the final whistle blew, the national team teammates were overwhelmed with emotion and sat down to cry or expressed their joy in their own way.

World Cup winner. World Cup winner.

What I had only dreamed of in my imagination has now become a reality.

I couldn’t believe it, I felt like I was walking in a dream. It all seemed like an illusion.

“Kim Min-woo―!”

Naturally, as soon as the final whistle blew, all the substitute players and coaches ran out onto the field.

Eugene Ho was so moved by the new experience that he ran to me with all his might and hugged me.

“You crazy kid! You even kicked a free kick in the final? You’re really crazy! Hahaha!”

“I showed you.”

“If you hadn’t made that, what would have happened to the game… … Hey, you’re so strong!”

I had a long conversation with Yoo Jin-ho, and later I approached the other players to share my joy.

Son Heung-min looked as if he could not believe it, and the other players had similar expressions.

We really won the World Cup? That’s what it felt like. Most people were dumbfounded. Actually, I was too. We won, but it still doesn’t feel real.

Their best result was advancing to the semifinals 24 years ago, and that was with a home buff. A country whose best away World Cup result is the round of 16, and they are not even in the quarterfinals or semifinals, but they are advancing to the finals and winning?

He has truly accomplished something that will be remembered for a long time.

After the players celebrated their victory together, we quickly approached the Korean fans who had come to watch the final match.

Respect for fans is also an important virtue that should not be forgotten.

Most Korean fans were either crying or extremely happy, as if they couldn’t believe this reality.

‘I’m so excited. I never thought I’d be able to do something I could only imagine in one go.’

And that wasn’t all.

I also got a notification from Football Manager.

I was about to check it out, but then I gave up.

Can I check later?

Let’s enjoy this moment for now.

* * *

And then the awards ceremony followed.

The most prestigious World Cup in football was small. And it was also dazzling.

Since the win and some time has passed, most of the players have calmed down a bit.

The stage is set and the literal awards ceremony begins.

Young Player Award.

It was a prize that lived up to its name.

This award is given to the player with the most impressive performance among players under the age of 21 in their first World Cup appearance.

I was the one who won that award. I think FIFA had a hard time deciding between me and Kim Jun-young, but in fact, considering my performance, there was no room for hesitation and I was the one who deserved it.

‘I feel a little sorry towards Junyoung.’

Anyway, since I’m already certain to win the Golden Glove, I don’t really mind giving this award to Junyoung.

But awards are objective.

I received the Young Player Award, went up to the front and smiled while holding up the silver ball award.

And next is the Golden Glove.

As expected, the Golden Glove was mine.

I received an award and went back to receive another award. It was a funny sight.

The FIFA President and other high-ranking officials continue to provide encouragement.

And then there’s the Golden Boot. Top scorer.

The winner of this award was once again Kylian Mbappe, just like four years ago. Despite not scoring a single goal in this final, he scored a hat-trick in Argentina and scored numerous goals in other matches to win the Golden Boot.

‘If Norway had gone a little higher, Holland would have had a go.’

Holland also scored quite a few goals.

However, the Golden Boot went to Kylian Mbappe, who made it to the final.

And then there’s…

Now, this is the last remaining prize.

Golden Ball.

This was the award for the MVP of this tournament.

To be honest, I thought Son Heung-min would receive it.

“Kim!”

It was me again.

Hey, tsk. So unromantic. This World Cup, you can give the MVP to the person whose last dance is this.

But the Golden Ball was also mine.

I heard that this kind of case is unprecedented.

From the Young Player Award, to the Golden Glove, to the Golden Ball.

‘I’m making history again. Winning three World Cup trophies all by myself…’

If only the free kicks had been a little more successful, he could have been in contention for the Golden Boot. Kabi.

Normally, the four players who received the Young Player Award, Golden Glove, Golden Boot, and Golden Ball awards would have stood on stage together for a photo, but since he swept three of the four awards, only Mbappe and I took the photo.

It was quite awkward. Mbappe must have felt the awkward atmosphere because he just took a picture and left.

Then, members of the runner-up countries come up to the stage and each receive a silver medal from the FIFA President.

Everyone’s expressions were bad. It was understandable. They expected the finals to be tough, but they probably didn’t expect to be defeated 3:0.

Next it was our turn.

We also went up and received a medal. A gold medal.

‘This is my first time receiving a gold medal since the Olympics.’

Once again, the FIFA President’s smile and encouragement.

But there must be a very bad intention behind that smile. I still grind my teeth at the referee’s damned biased decisions.

Since I was very active, I came almost at the very end to receive the medal, and there was only one athlete behind me.

Captain Son Heung-min.

I didn’t receive a single award, but yes, as the captain, the honor of lifting the World Cup should go to the captain.

And we stood on the stage and waited for Son Heung-min to bring home the World Cup.

Son Heung-min held the World Cup in his hands after talking to the FIFA president and other high-ranking officials.

And slowly it approaches where we are.

Son Heung-min looked at us with a very excited expression… … .

“Hey, hey!”

The World Cup is in full swing.

We also cheered and spread our hands wide in agreement. We won!

* * *

Interviews after a victory are always fun. The emotions are new. But today is especially different.

This is an interview about winning the World Cup.

I didn’t tremble.

He greeted the reporters with a bright smile, and the reporters also conducted the interview with smiles on their faces.

“Player Kim Min-woo! This final was a really fierce match. How do you feel about winning the World Cup?”

What are you talking about? I’m so happy.

But I didn’t say that.

We talked about this and that.

There were times when I doubted myself during the World Cup, and there were times when I consoled myself that I did well just by making it to the quarterfinals and semifinals, but I did it in the end. More than anything, I’m so happy that I fulfilled my generation’s duty…

“Kim Min-woo, you won three awards in this World Cup: Young Player Award, Golden Glove Award, and Golden Ball Award. This is unprecedented in World Cup history. How do you feel?”

“I am proud and thrilled that I have made a new history. However, I will not be satisfied with this. I will also try to win the Golden Boot at the next World Cup.”

Well, it’s a ridiculous story, but I just threw it out there. Who knows? If we develop it for another 4 years, it might actually be possible.

And the reporters’ questions were varied.

What did you focus on the most while preparing for the competition? What was the most difficult moment in the final and how did you overcome it? What do you think the roles of your teammates and the coaching staff were?

I answered all those questions.

Because tonight is long.

I answered neatly and concisely like Son Heung-min or Mbappe. I didn’t want to create a strange controversy by being overjoyed at winning for no reason.

“What was the most difficult moment during this competition?”

“Did you do any special training or effort for this World Cup?”

“Is there anything you had to give up for the game?”

“How does your family’s support affect your performance?”

“If you had to say something to your Korean fans?”

“How do you think this victory and the Triple Crown will affect your future football career?”

“Do you have any goals or plans for the future?”

“A particularly memorable moment… .”

“If you could say one thing to yourself, what would it be…?”

“What is the biggest lesson I learned from this competition…?”

Oh my. There are a lot. There are a lot.

Yes. I know you have a lot of questions. I understand. I answered those questions patiently and sincerely.

This is like this, that is like that, the sky is sky, a mountain is a mountain, water is water… .

Of course, this wasn’t an interview that only I had.

Almost all of the players were interviewed individually.

Son Heung-min, Kim Jun-young, Lee Kang-im, etc.

Kim Jun-young praised me in the interview, and Son Heung-min, as befitting a captain, praised the united team and all the players.

Other players also said that they won because everyone did well.

Of course, I didn’t deny that my role was the biggest.

Anyway, it’s a very happy night.

I really have to sleep late today.

* * *

Winning the World Cup wasn’t just about inspiring the players. The World Cup was too big of a stage to stop at that.

First of all, coach Leon Harpers became the first coach in history to lead a non-European, non-South American country to victory.

Naturally, the achievement made the Netherlands very proud.

The Dutch press and football world have been full of praise and congratulations for Leon’s success, and have even produced special programmes detailing his career and achievements.

[… … Coach Leon’s career up until just before taking charge of the Korean national team was, frankly, a failed career.]

[But what happened after this old fox took over the reins of the Korean national team with great potential?]

Guus Hiddink also congratulated Leon on his success, joking that he would be forgotten in Korea now.

Some also expressed regret over the Netherlands’ performance in this World Cup and wondered what it would have been like if coach Leon had led the Dutch national team.

Is that all?

Since World Cup victories have traditionally gone to soccer powerhouses, Korea’s victory was seen as a shocking and surprising event.

People from all over the world congratulated Korea on winning the World Cup, and now, people are sending congratulatory messages here and there, saying, “This is the era of Asia.”

Above all, it greatly raised the status of Asian football as a frontier region.

[How did Korea win the World Cup?]

As the Korean national team’s strategies and tactics have been successful, other countries have already shown enthusiasm to analyze and learn from them.

Actually, if we talk about the strategy and tactics of the Korean national team… … Kim Min-woo was a very big player.

Most Asian countries sent messages of congratulations to Korea for winning the World Cup. Even Japan.

Japan was the first team to advance to the quarterfinals in a World Cup challenge, but when Korea won the World Cup, their coach was fired.

The neighboring country won, so why are you only in the quarterfinals?

It’s a repeat of what happened in 2002.

An enthusiastic and emotional atmosphere continued within Korea.

It was almost as if the entire country was in a state of frenzy.

It was as if, at this moment, we had gone back to 2002, and South Korea had become one through soccer.

And in that situation, the Korean national team proudly entered the country through Incheon International Airport holding the championship trophy.

““Waaa …

“Player Kim Min-woo! Please look here!”

“I’m so proud!”

Incheon International Airport was literally on the verge of bursting with crowds.

The players tried not to close their eyes, dazed by the huge crowd and flashing lights.

And they waved and some even signed autographs.

Additionally, the Korea Football Association set up a separate space in one corner of the airport to take photos to congratulate the national team for winning the World Cup.

It was natural that high-ranking officials from the association would come… .

“Let’s see. The schedule is tight. I have to go to the Blue House and the car parade…”

I was busy.

As it was our first World Cup win, there were many places where we had to show our face.

Above all else.

“Aren’t we the first to have a car parade at Gwanghwamun Square?”

The car parade that we only see in other countries is finally happening in our country too.

I felt proud once again that our generation was able to achieve this first feat.