Chapter 306 – I Don’t Know Where I Am, but I Know Where I Am (2)

306

Now that the World Cup is half a year away, the World Cup qualifiers in each region are either over or running toward the end.

In the case of the Asian preliminaries, the participating countries were already confirmed, so the countries that advanced to the World Cup in Asia were the same as expected.
Korea, of course, decided to advance early.

However, it is not possible to leave the A-match schedule empty just because the World Cup regional qualifiers are over.
Of course, we had to prepare for a friendly match on A-match day.

In a way, it can be seen as an effortless schedule.
Advancement must have been confirmed. Isn’t it time to let go by playing against the right opponents as the name ‘Friendship’ suggests?

However, on the contrary, it was also a valuable opportunity to prepare for the World Cup.
For example, it was a valuable time to prepare for a game against a team with a similar style to the opponents expected to meet at the World Cup, to refine the organization, and finally to check the players’ condition.

And the renewed livestock cooperative did not go easy enough to pass this precious period of tempering as it was.

The technical directors of the Korea Football Association were drawing up a friendly match list considering Korea’s weaknesses and preparations, and teams that could coordinate the schedule with expected opponents from various angles, and in a situation where only the president’s approval was left—

“Yes? 2 consecutive matches with the championship powerhouse? Are you in such a hurry?”

I was given a sudden order.
I shredded the materials I had prepared and urgently found a partner, but could it be so easy?

Basically, as friendly matches are not decided at random, quite a few countries had already had their schedules fixed, and it was close to impossible to change them—but money was the magical power that could turn the impossible into the possible.

Money.
More money if not.
If not, even more money.

Thanks to the enormous financial support pouring in after the opening of the inexhaustible infinite vault of Hyundai Motor Company, the Football Association has achieved a near-impossible feat.

『Argentina and Chile, canceling the existing schedule and going to Korea?』
『Why did you turn to Asia from the agreed schedule 3 months ago?』
『More than 7 billion in cancellation fees alone! Including the invitation fee, the friendly match cost is estimated to be over 15 billion!』
『”I needed a strong sparring opponent for the World Cup” The chairman’s big decision to pay the penalty and friendly match expenses with his own money!!』

The two South American countries, Argentina and Chile, which had previously been scheduled, made a sudden turn to the schedule by paying a penalty as well as a supply offensive.

At least somehow, it was successful in coordinating with the Japan Football Association, and the Korea-Japan vs. Argentina-Chile match was held to reduce the burden of expenses, but it was well known that a huge amount of expenditure occurred from the president’s personal expenses.

The scary thing is that even after all of this was accomplished, the president just left a text message saying, “I did my best, Hong Min-joon.”

No word on how much effort and money was involved.
Just this with my daughter.

Something… It felt like I was implicitly hearing the words ‘I’ve done enough, so you know if I can’t produce results?’.
… World Cup should do well

Two consecutive matches against the South American team that suffered so much.
The first opponent was Argentina.

“These are the Argentine players who visited the Sangam World Cup Stadium after a long time. Unfortunately, Hong Min-joon’s absence has been confirmed today, right?”
“That’s right. He said he suffered a minor injury during training. Fortunately, it’s not a big injury, so I can play if I overdo it, but rumors say that I was excluded from the list to protect the players.”
“I feel regretful, but I also think it was the right decision. No matter how much it is the final inspection stage in preparation for the World Cup, it is a friendly match after all. If you’re overdoing it in the mock exam, but in a bad condition in the real game, wouldn’t it be the end of the game?”
“Ah, Min-Jun Hong is being caught on the screen. Haha, while I was excluded from the list today, I left an interview saying that I would watch the game with the feeling of a spectator from the stands, Hong Min-jun. Oh, the cheers are great. It is also very popular.”

Thanks to the coach who showed flexibility, I was able to sit in the stands, not on the bench, but not on the roster.

What… The Argentine side said, “I came because I said I could deal with Min-jun Hong, but I was dumbfounded by the situation without Min-jun Hong.” It’s because of an injury.

I can’t believe it, didn’t I play 5 consecutive games in less than 2 weeks right before the A match?
It was a harsh schedule that would spread even a player who was quite confident in his stamina, and since he returned halfway around the world as soon as it was over, even in Argentina, he said, “It’s easy to get sick.”

In fact, I was just buried because I was so outstanding, and the Korean national team players are not easy to face.

There are several players active in major European leagues, from the Dortmund duo of Seol Yo-han and Yoon Hyuk, Choi Gil-seok and Cha Myeong-geun, who play for Torino and Fiorentina in Serie A, Kim Ki-soo, who plays for Real Betis in Spain’s La Liga, and Oh Se-hyun of Marseille, France. Is it.

After entering the coaching system of Park Ki-young, the selection of the national team was decided by how high the status within the team was, played a lot of games, and good form rather than name value.

According to the selection guidelines, which are clearly different from the previous coaches, who prioritized name value, the current national team players are not only put on a prestigious team, but are actually the starting players in the team, players who play in rotation no matter how bad they are.

Of course, it is far less than the name value of the Argentine team, a soccer powerhouse, but it will be a good match because it is not so low that there are complaints.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to watch it from the spectators, and I’m seriously concentrating on the game with the mindset to properly observe Korea’s reality this time—

“Ah~ Lauro’s dribble cut through the side. South Korea conceded the opening goal in the 8th minute of the first half when the cutback that followed was caught on Marco’s foot as he penetrated into the empty half space.”

Than I thought this…

“Riccardo’s cross! Sebastian Luli’s Header!! Ah… Korea allowed an additional goal 2 minutes after conceding in the 10th minute of the first half. Players are shaking a lot today.”

More…

“Javier Fabio’s great long-range shot rocks the net again. Ah… This is already the 3rd run in Korea.”

I think it’s fucked up.

‘I’ll turn around.’

It was impossible to swallow a sigh at the sight of the players sitting down or looking up at the sky with a dejected expression as they lost their third goal before the first half was over.

I sigh as I sweep my face, but when I hear a muffled sound, I see myself appearing on the electronic display board.
As I was trying to manage my facial expressions, I heard a loud roar from the ground all the way to the stands.

“Wake!! Are you kidding me!? Wake up! Wake up, catch up and run, you bastards!!”

Watching the spirit of Senior Yoon Hyuk grabbing and shaking the players who are having a mental breakdown, I get goosebumps.
Oh, it’s fucking scary to see senior Yoon Hyuk angry.

… If I told you that Heeyeon noona would become one of my wives, I would be beaten.

『Korea without Hong Min-jun, 4:1 defeat against Argentina』
『Three runs in the first half alone! The young defense, self-destruct by exposing their lack of experience』
『Realizing the influence of Hong Min-jun, the shadow of the ace over the national team』
“Park Ki-young, are you okay? A catastrophe caused by a shortage of veteran players!』

I received a call from the director and visited the director’s office again.
I will probably ask for the next game against Chile.

‘I thought I would miss two games… There’s nothing I can do about it.’

Does it spread like this even if it spreads?
Thanks to that, it served as an opportunity to awaken the original plan, ‘Little Hong Min-joon’s small heart’… No no, that’s not it I’m sorry for blowing the team’s carelessness and arrogance—

“I’m sorry, but I’ll have to watch the next game from the stands.”
“Honey… Yes?”

Let’s look at the director in bewilderment at the unexpected remark,

“Now I know the problem. You should also look for it in the stands. If it’s your tactical discernment, I can expect it, right?”

That’s how I got to watch the Chile match from the stands following the Argentina match.

What does the director’s meaningful words mean?
Looking for a tactical eye?

Humans have non-verbal expressions as well as words.
The nuance, the atmosphere, the expression, the gesture… Intent that is not conveyed simply through ‘words’. Inside.

In that sense, the director’s words— like a test… A game that started while I was lost in thought.

Is it the effect of grinding teeth after the Argentine match?
I don’t think much has changed tactically, but I scored the opening goal against Chile.

I had faith that it wouldn’t work like the previous game because Chile was weaker than Argentina, but… However, Chile is not an easy opponent.

Looking down from a high place in the audience, I realized.

‘My performance is much better. It might be due to the weakening of the opponent, or the motivational effect from the last defeat… Something different… If I had played against Argentina like this, I wouldn’t have been so one-sided…’

Something tickling in my head burns me as if I can think of something.
Oh shit I’m really worried
What? What is it?

I realized that I couldn’t do it, so I invested some points and observed the game.

‘Ah. Is it. Was it like that?’

What is the director’s intention?
What is the real problem with the national team?