Weird Defender Joo Ji-Tae - Chapter 203



203 – The Birth of a Star

203

The Round of 16 match between Korea and Japan received unprecedented attention.

It wasn’t just because the 8:0 score was a historic record in the World Cup. For those who supported Korea or enjoyed the game from a neutral perspective, it was a celebration. However, for the teams that made it to the quarterfinals, it was a disaster. Of course, it was the same for those who supported Japan.

“The attacking power is incredible. And their defense is solid too. How can we possibly break through this?”

From noble mtl dot come

The one who was most pressured by this natural disaster-like crisis was Hungary’s coach, Machashy, who would be facing Korea in the next match.

Hungary, which once shook the world.

In the early days of the World Cup, in 1934’s Italy World Cup, they reached the quarterfinals, and in 1938’s France World Cup, they took second place, earning their name. However, the true golden age of Hungarian football was in the 1950s.

The 1950s Hungarian team, nicknamed the “Magic Magyars,” was truly a legendary team. From June 1950 to 1956, they recorded an astonishing 50-game streak with 42 wins, 7 draws, and 1 loss, achieving the highest national team ELO ranking, second place in the all-time national team rankings, and an unbeaten streak of nearly four years.

They also left a deep mark in tactical history, showcasing the prototypes of the “Puskás Nine” and “Deep-Lying Playmaker,” “Sweeper-Keeper,” and “Switching Play” in the 1950s, greatly influencing modern football.

However, Hungary’s golden age was short-lived.

After their glorious 1950s, the revolution broke out, and Hungary fell into decline. It took over 70 years for them to return to the World Cup finals.

Seventy years, not seven.

It was a pitiful record, a fall from grace for a football powerhouse that was once called the “Magic Magyars.” If one were to pick the most fallen national team in football history, Hungary would be a strong candidate.

The one who led Hungary to the World Cup finals after 70 years was Coach Machashy, nicknamed the “Amazing Magyar.”

This Hungarian coach, who inherited the name of the legendary king of Hungary-Croatia-Bohemia and the Grand Duke of Austria, carried the expectations of all Hungarians on his shoulders and miraculously led the team to the quarterfinals, astonishing the world.

“…Damn it. Is this the end of Hungary’s miracle run?”

This great hero was only left to despair in real-time.

There was no sign of victory in sight.

Coach Machashy let out a sigh-like groan, his head wrapped in anxiety.

Machashy’s praise wasn’t just because of his wins. Of course, his achievements alone made him a hero to the Hungarian people, but he was revered as the “Amazing Magyar” worldwide because he didn’t focus solely on results.

With limited resources, he aimed to play the most dynamic and aggressive football possible. In reality, when he led Hungary to qualify for the World Cup by passing the European qualifiers, he astonished Europe with his unique attacking football. It was the same even in the group stage, and even when they faced strong opponents like Italy in the Round of 16.

Machashy’s Hungary explosively pressured their opponents, defeating Italy 3:1.

However, even he was considering anti-football tactics due to the opponent’s overwhelming strength.

“Maybe we should just focus on extreme defense and try to take it to a penalty shootout…”

Machashy, who was considering anti-football, eventually shook his head.

“No. I am the Amazing Magyar. We are the Magic Magyars. Even if we lose, we’ll play our own football.”

As he watched Japan, led by Coach Joo, take on Korea, Machashy made his decision.

Even if the end was bitter, he would play their own football until the very end.

That was the spirit of the revived Hungarian people, and he would etch it into the minds of the world.

“…What!?”

And that decision brought unexpected results.

* * *

The team’s atmosphere was better than ever, reaching an all-time high.

The winning team has a good atmosphere, but there’s a difference in winning. In that sense, defeating the strongest rival 8:0 in the World Cup finals, their momentum was bound to soar to the sky.

But, a problem arose.

“What? Wait a minute. Who’s saying that? Who’s having stomach problems?”

“Ji-tae and Jae-shin seem to have stomach discomfort.”

At the medical team leader’s report, Jang Ki-seok’s eyes widened.

“What? That’s absurd. We only eat the team’s meal plan, what kind of stomach problem is that?”

“It’s not exactly a stomach problem… We’ve been playing non-stop from the Champions League finals to the World Cup, so they’re physically exhausted.”

“What did they eat to cause this? Our team’s meal plan is strictly managed.”

“It’s fermented skate. They ate too much and got diarrhea.”

“…Fermented skate?”

“Yes, fermented skate.”

Fermented skate, a food that has had a strong impact on Korean history. Jang Ki-seok, who knew how dangerous it was, asked in dismay.

“Did you include such a dangerous food in the team’s meal plan?”

“The manager said it was a special dish, so…”

“Ah…”

Jang Ki-seok let out a sigh at the instruction that came from above, which he couldn’t control.

“What’s with eating fermented skate? Are they the fermented skate king?”

The problem was not only that Jo Jae-shin, the team’s main striker, was out, but also that Ji-tae, the core player, was in an even bigger problem.

Jang Ki-seok anxiously asked again.

“So, what’s their condition?”

“Luckily, it’s not a big problem. They can play, but their condition isn’t good.”

Jang Ki-seok was worried.

Korea was no longer the weak team it used to be. They weren’t satisfied with just making it to the round of 16. Korea’s goal was to win.

Considering the short game intervals in the tournament, managing the physical condition of key players was crucial to winning. In that case, it would be okay to rotate the players and give Ji-tae and Jae-shin a break.

“Since the opponent is Hungary, it’s okay. We should rest Ji-tae and Jae-shin, who are already in a precarious physical state.”

Jang Ki-seok’s decision to bench some of the main players, including Ji-tae and Jae-shin, led to an unexpected result that no one could have predicted.

[Oh… oh no! This is dangerous! Korea is giving up too much space!]

[Hungary! Hungary is pushing hard!]

Korea, a strong candidate for the championship, was being talked about.

From the Asian qualifiers to the group stage and the round of 16, no team had taken the initiative to attack Korea. Even Japan only played according to their plan.

But what was the result?

Jang Ki-seok had expected Hungary to take a defensive stance. So did the coaching staff and the power analysts.

Who would have thought that Hungary would take an aggressive approach in the World Cup quarterfinals against a strong candidate like Korea? Even Japan, which had played its own way in the previous game, was surprised.

“This is crazy…! Who would have thought that Hungary would start with an extreme attack in this important match?”

But Hungary’s coach was more unpredictable than the Korean coaching staff had expected, and it caught the Korean players off guard.

For the past four years, Korea had focused on breaking down their opponents’ defense rather than their own. Even if they faced a strong opponent, Ji-tae’s overwhelming presence alone could turn the game around.

“Coach! The opponent’s pressure is too strong! Ji-hoon or Myung-jin, or even Seol-gi can’t build up from the back!”

It was difficult to break down the strong pressure without Ji-tae.

It wasn’t that the Korean players were lacking. Any strong pressure would make any player or team struggle. Even so-called world-class players struggled against strong pressure, let alone Korean players who weren’t world-class.

Up until now, Korea’s buildup had been too easy because Juzitae was there, effortlessly breaking through the opponent’s concentrated defense.

It was just that Juzitae was special.

[The activity level of Groshichi Zoltan and Laszlo Josef is really terrifying! Hungary’s twin tops are pressing hard, as if they’re only going to play the first half!]

[Oh, Kim Myung-jin needs to be careful… Ah, too careless a pass! Laszlo Josef intercepts Kim Myung-jin’s pass!!]

[Hungary’s counterattack! Korea is in crisis! The players need to return quickly! Right now, Korea needs to stabilize its defense rather than pushing forward aggressively! The attacking line and midfield line are too aggressive, while the defense line is being pushed back! The line is too scattered!!]

[The players are returning quickly… We need to buy time! Ah, Ferencz is making a run along the sideline! Ferencz gets the ball! Danger, Ferencz cross!!]

[Ah… Groshichi Zoltan scores the opening goal with a fantastic header.]

[Hungary scores first. An unexpected situation has unfolded.]

The camera pans to the benches of both teams.

In a contrasting moment! Coach Machasi, who’s shouting, and Coach Jang Gi-seok, who’s covering his head,

[The camera shows the bench. What, what is this? Juzitae…! Juzitae is laughing even though his team is losing!!!]

It was the moment when the legendary “Juzitae laughing despite his team losing” meme was born.