Chapter 329 – One Last Step (2)
329
As the second half passed, Korea called one or two key players to the bench.
Starting with Hong Min-jun, the most active players among the European players were replaced one after another, but the US national team failed to score a goal and was defeated.
Rather, they overreacted against Korea, which lacked the core, and even gave up an additional goal, setting a record of 4:0 complete defeat and 3 consecutive rounds of 16, whether good or bad.
『Korea advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating the United States 4:0!』
『The U.S. National soccer team, which ended up in the round of 16 for three consecutive years, showed tears at the end』
The score was a clean 4-0 win, but that didn’t mean the US team left nothing behind…
『As a result of the diagnosis of Choi Moon-tae, the captain who was replaced at the last minute of the second half, it turned out to be a toe fracture』
『Korea with 10 players, 4:0 scoreless win』
It was the injury of Choi Moon-tae, the eldest brother and captain of the national team.
Corner kick situation in the 39th minute of the second half.
Even when the score was 4:0, the US team did their best to the end without giving up.
As a result, American captain Jefferson Blacksmith, who was landing after a rough header contest, stepped on Choi Moon-tae’s foot.
Soccer boots are soft and pliable on the top, but don’t they have hard studs on the bottom?
It hurts to just step on it, but step on it while coming down after jumping? Even with all the weight of a center back boasting a massive body?
Of course, Choi Moon-tae collapsed after the corner kick situation, and Korea had to endure the remaining time with 10 men who used up their replacement cards.
From the Korean point of view, even though the match was already a winner, it was like getting the captain out because he was soggy, but looking objectively, the US national team did not give up until the end and played their best, so there is nothing to blame.
However, it was not intentional injury, so it could only be called ‘unfortunate’.
After the game, what was hoped for was a minor injury, the result of the examination was a toe fracture.
This means,
『Chief Moon-Tae Choi ended the World Cup due to a toe injury!』
It meant that I couldn’t step on the ground again for the rest of the World Cup period.
“You kids, make an impression. Did the person die? It’s just a minor injury. If it’s short, it’s a month, if it’s long, it’s two months, so why are you laughing? It’s a good day to advance to the quarterfinals.”
“Opinion…”
“Kids… Shoulders! Since Yohan is the captain instead of my older brother, now Yohan listens carefully. Hyung still made it to the semifinals last time, but shouldn’t you guys go higher than that? Go and run without regret.”
Seeing the players unable to smile despite advancing to the quarterfinals, Choi Moon-tae comforted his younger siblings with a smile as if nothing had happened.
* * *
In the World Cup, in which 32 countries participated, only 8 countries are left.
In Europe, Spain, Germany, and Portugal survived, while in South America, Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay showed unexpected success by defeating England in the round of 16 and settled in the quarterfinals.
And in Asia, Korea and Japan succeeded in advancing to the quarterfinals twice in a row, proving that Asia is no longer the periphery of football…
“Oh, my God!! What the hell is this!! The two Asian countries that survived the quarterfinals meet!!”
“Unbelievable! Is it Again 2034!? Following the last World Cup, Korea and Japan will meet again in the quarterfinals!!”
Coincidentally, Korea and Japan, two countries that raise the profile of Asian football, faced each other again in the quarterfinals following the 2034 World Cup in Italy.
Korea and Japan heated up in the confrontation with their fateful rivals, an enemy that even rock, paper, scissors could not lose. In particular, the atmosphere of Japan, which was defeated by Korea in the quarterfinals of the last World Cup, was truly amazing.
『The fateful rival we met again in the quarterfinals! When you need the samurai spirit!』
『Another Japan-Korea confrontation! His partner is Asian, Hong Min-joon, the man who became the best in the world!!
『The Great Crisis of Japanese Boys Going Beyond Asia to the World!』
“Mission! Block the Ballon d’Or winners with a do-or-die resolution!』
—Koitzwww Punching bag hit by Korean brother again www
—This is too strongᕙ( ︡’︡益’︠)ง!! Korea’s Hong says no one can stop it ( ‾᷅ᾥ‾᷄ )!!
—Your skills and face are complete defeats
—I was rooting for Ken Suzuki. Who is this ikeman in Korea? I’m Suzuki, a single-minded woman, but why is my heart so big? (づ￣ ³￣)づ I feel like having an affair… Sorry Suzuki, I can’t help it now (´°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥ω°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥`)
—Take a peek at the cocky Josenjing this night!!!
As the match approached, the heated atmosphere soon spread to a battle of pride, prompting a fierce internet battle between netizens from both countries.
The winner is of course—
—Korean crazy bastards
—What the hell is that grandma picture!!!!!
—My eyes are rotting
—Kuaaaaahh sorry
Landslide Victory of Korea with Tactical Nuclear Weapons.
However, the Internet battle was only a skirmish.
Korea’s eyes, which adorned the prelude to a full-scale war with a clear victory, now turned to Valencia in eastern Spain, where the quarterfinals between Korea and Japan will be held.
* * *
Estadio de Mestalla, the home stadium of Valencia CF (Valencia Club de Fútbol, S.A.D.), A football team representing Valencia in eastern Spain bordering the Mediterranean Sea.
Valencia’s sixth-largest stadium in Spain, which can accommodate about 50,000 spectators, was filled with red and blue spectators.
A commentator who was watching the players on the ground ahead of the start of the quarterfinals soon tilted his head and opened his mouth.
“It seems that the Korean players are standing in a different position today? Director Park Ki-young, did you change your tactics ahead of your fateful rivalry?”
“Coming to think of it, the starting lineup was also different from what I expected. Instead of Junsu Hwang, Sewon Kim participated. If Hwang Jun-su is a midfielder who plays in the center, Kim Se-won is a flanker, and that is a fairly orthodox side resource. It’s a style close to that of a classic winger.”
The referee looked at his watch and blew his whistle, and the match started with Japan’s kick-off.
The commentator, observing the Korean players quickly taking up positions to defend, bursts into exclamation.
“Ah, that’s right. Korea, today you came out with a new tactic, not the existing tactic. It’s like a 4-4-2, right?”
“Yes, it is. Hong Min-jun and Cha Myung-geun form the top two, and Kim Gi-soo, Choi Gil-seok, Yoon Hyuk, and Kim Se-won form one line.”
“Park Chang-min will work with Oh Se-hyun in place of Choi Moon-tae, who was injured due to an injury. Aren’t they both young?”
“Park Chang-min is 25 years old and Oh Se-hyun is 21 years old, making them the youngest centre-back duo in this World Cup. In place of Choi Moon-tae, Seol Yo-han wears the captain’s armband.”
Compared to Korea, which has undergone many changes overall, Japan has taken the same path as before.
“On the other hand, the Japanese national team came out with the expected starting lineup. I guess the current lineup is the best 11, right?”
“The coach of the Japanese national team, Yoshichi Hasegawa, is a coach who focuses on Plan A. Once a plan A is set, it is a person who does not change easily. So it is easy to predict.”
“This time, based on the 4-3-3 formation, it seems to be concentrating on the unique and charming passing play.”
The first half started with Japan’s kick-off.
The Japanese players, who were densely packed in the center, were slowly increasing their possession through their unique pass play.
On the other hand, Korea, which used a centralized tactic throughout this World Cup, surprisingly did not actively engage in midfield fights, but when passing passes from behind Japan, rather than pressuring them, they seemed to stand back and defend their positions.
“From Goalkeeper Kondo to Maeda. Get behind the Korean players and keep your seat. The pressure line is quite low?”
“If you look at it, the defensive line itself is low. It seems that 4 defenders and 4 midfielders have created two lines and are waiting for the Japanese players to come in… Well, we’ll have to wait and see if Korea’s tactical changes are positive. You’ve shown good performance so far, so why did you choose to make this change— Huh? Muraka loses the ball by trapping mistake— Yun-hyeok, pass as it is!!”
While exchanging the ball leisurely, Japanese midfielder Muraka Haseba made a trapping mistake despite loose pressure.
The ball hit the foot and bounced far and reached Yoon-hyuk with the Korean blood, and Yun-hyeok, who caught the ball, made a bold pass without delay. Towards the space behind the Japanese camp.
“Hong Min-joon runs, runs! It’s fast, uh, what is it, um, it’s super fast!!”