Chapter 185 – Enemies Meet on a Single Log Bridge (1)

185

『Faces that have changed dramatically! Leading to a draw against Nigeria!』
“Ji-ho Oh confirmed his advance to the round of 16 early with 2 wins from 2 matches in the group stage.
With a multi-score victory over second-place Argentina, the group’s first place in the group was virtually guaranteed, and attention was focused on the starting lineup against Nigeria in the last game of the group stage.

The main members of the national team, who had been with the same members in the last 1st and 2nd games, needed a break, so rotation was essential even for the round of 16.
While opinions were divided on how much rotation coach Oh Ji-je would make, Coach Oh Ji-je’s decision was an unconventional lineup that changed all 11 starting members.

Coach Oh Ji-je’s breakthrough was successful.
As if to relieve their grudge, the new national team members showed off their consistently equal performance against Nigeria and secured their No. 1 spot by demonstrating their potential in a 1:1 draw.

Oh Ji-jeho, who advanced to the round of 16 with an overwhelming record of 2 wins and 1 draw.
How far will the end of that journey be?”

The last game of the group stage went to the rotation members as scheduled.
One thing that was unexpected was that I wondered if the starting and non-starting players would be mixed to some extent, but the rotation changed all 11 players, including the goalkeeper.

No matter how certain the first place was, if we lost to Nigeria and won a great victory over Argentina and Switzerland, our current choice would have brought a big headwind, but the coach made a courageous decision.

As I watched the game from the bench with a little worry, something unexpected was happening.
The condition of the Nigerian players was young.

It was thought that Argentina, which was initially considered a favorite, would take first place in the group, while Nigeria would compete with Switzerland for second place.
As a strong player in the African tradition, the ‘Super Eagles’ had a number of high-quality players, and the prevailing prediction was that Nigeria would eventually win the second place competition as it overwhelms Switzerland in terms of team name value.

However, after two matches each, Nigeria has only 1 draw and 1 loss.
In fact, how can the mentality of the Nigerian players who were frustrated in the round of 16 be moderate?

As an African team famous for its performance being influenced by the atmosphere along with Central and South America, the mentally broken Nigerian players destroyed themselves by showing an image that did not live up to their name.

They collapsed playing as individuals rather than as a team.
Against our 2nd Army, which lacks individual quality and lacks organizational power.

As a result, the coach’s bold rotation became a big picture that saved the stamina of the main players in preparation for the round of 16, and the main players recovered their stamina, and the non-main players played full-time instead of intermittently with second-half substitutions, and everyone was happy. It became a win-win.

The atmosphere of the national team is good, and it is very enthusiastic to pass the group league in first place and advance to the round of 16 with the best ever record of 2 wins and 1 draw in Korea.

This atmosphere is a game in a different group… No, to be precise, it got bigger after the match in Group F, our opponent in the round of 16, who advanced to the round of 16 as the 1st place in Group E… Our opponent in the round of 16, second in Group F, was Japan.

“Wow. How does this happen?”

They say enemies really meet on a single bridge, and Asian teams meet them all in the round of 16 of the World Cup.

“But I really feel sorry for the Japanese people.”
“Suddenly? Why?”
“While I am playing for the national team, there is no getting tired of the match between Korea and Japan, right?”
“…….”

He confidently responded to the stares of the seniors who fought.

“Uh? Hopefully seniors… ? How was the recent national team match against Japan? ?”
“It’s like a dog.”
“Should I handle it?”
“Kill him.”

Uh? The real history is disastrous… ?

* * *

The World Cup, a festival for footballers from all over the world, with 211 participating countries across six continents.
Only 32 countries have advanced to the finals of the World Cup through fierce intercontinental qualifiers for 4 years.

And only 16 countries pass through the group stage to participate in the true finals, the tournament.
The fact that Asian countries took 2 of these 16 places shows the growth of Asian football, so all Asians should be happy with this achievement, but—

“I will definitely beat Korea and advance to the quarterfinals for the first time in Japan.”
“There is a saying in Korea. Against Japan, Don’t Lose Rock Paper Scissors. I will work with the determination to win this Korea-Japan match.”

In fact, the two countries did not like each other’s propaganda.

If it hadn’t been for the quarterfinals, if we hadn’t met on a single bridge, there would have been many people who were genuinely happy with the growth of Asian football.
However, the moment the two countries faced each other in the round of 16, the goodwill toward each other disappeared, and what remained was deep historical remnants and a strong rivalry sparked by it.

“The progress of two Asian countries to the round of 16 seems like an achievement that represents the development of the Asian region. Even though we met in the round of 16, whoever wins, are you willing to give a compliment to the winner, even for the sake of Asia’s status?”
“Of course.”
“Sure. It’s only natural to give thanks on a grand scale.”

In response to the Middle East reporter’s question, the directors of both Korea and Japan nodded readily.

While reporters from the Middle East boarded the Asia Coin were tapping their laptops in unison, the Japanese director opened fire first.

“Eh again… Anno.”
“Yes. Please tell me.”
“We, Japan, will fight fair and square, respect the referee’s authority, and accept the outcome.”
‘That bastard is turning right-wing brainheads into buying Korean referees again.’

The impression of the Korean reporters looking at the Japanese director with an expression of “I don’t know what to say” Is distorted.
Why is it that artificial wording such as “Political party” Or “Authority of judgment” Is included here? Korean reporters glared at the nasty Japanese director, who, like a Japanese, was launching a detour attack with words, but they couldn’t help the director who was interviewing him with a friendly expression.

“But the recent opponent record or the content of soccer… I think that Japan’s entry into the European world will be able to show the development of Asian football better. Oh, of course, even if Korea beats Japan and advances to the quarterfinals, I am willing to accept the result.”

It was then that Hong Min-joon, who had been watching the Japanese director with an annoyed expression, raised his hand.

An interview the day before the game.
Originally attending the media day was usually the manager and captain, but sometimes an ace came out. Like today

“Yes, Minjun Hong. Please tell me.”
“I heard the words of the coach of the Japanese national team.”

The reporters— they just admired Hong Min-joon’s appearance of making a sad face the whole time and then being polite.

“Hong is also handsome. It is a very attractive mask.”
“Kuu… Kuso… I’m sorry but I have to admit this. There is no player like Minjun Hong who represents Asia.”

Hong Min-joon smiled heartily as he watched reporters who were busy admiring his shining beauty regardless of race, even though he had no preparation for exposure to the media, and he had a bare face.

“But I can’t agree on one thing. Looking at the recent performance, wouldn’t it be right for Korea to advance to the quarterfinals? We beat Argentina and Switzerland, who were considered favorites, with aggressive tactics. Overwhelmingly. Furthermore.”

Looking at the Japanese director who was trying hard to keep a smile despite his twitching lips,

“They say that those who have eaten meat eat well… Unlike Korea, which advanced to the quarterfinals, Japan has never even advanced to the quarterfinals, has it? In general, isn’t it better for Korea to win for Asia? I think so. Oh If Japan beats us, I will gladly support Japan’s propaganda. Well, that won’t happen.”

And the press conference that day became a legend.
With the legendary jaws that set the media and communities of both countries on fire.

—ㅅㅅ Am I the only one who is cool inside?
—Kya~ Hong Min-joon’s mouth is not going anywherehaha
—Hongsangari is cool
This is a political speech ban.
You?
ㄴThere was a politician who used the surname Hong in the past.
Yeah
Blah blah
—Hong Min-joon, who used to show off his second grade in the Olympics, has become an adult… Great job minjuna
ㄴㅇㅋ The interview at that time was legendary.
ㄴ(Link) Hong Min-joon, whose hands and feet shriveled and space-time was refracted.
ㄴ This is cool because it turns out ;;
—Translated the Japanese response ㅇㅇ
ㄴ Hong Sang Daisuki~!!
I am the prince of Asia! So cool!
—ㅅㅅ Is this a translation?

When England and France face off on opposite sides and draw attention from all over the world, Asia, especially Korea and Japan—

—When will China go to the World Cup?
—Wake up. We’re hopeless
—So, when will Hong Min-joon be naturalized!!! Hong is of Chinese blood!!
—Asia’s two big brothers… I’m so envious…

The match between Korea and Japan in the quarterfinals, which attracted the attention of the three East Asian countries, which not only attracted the attention of China, but also attracted attention.