Chapter 70 – Korea-Japan War (4)

070

‘What is that bastard?’

As I was turning my ankle before the game started, a Japanese guy glared at me unluckily.
It’s a bad look, but I meant it. Yes, I am used to being jealous of a man who has both ability and good looks like me.

‘After… Popularity of this guy. I’m tired even though I’m so good.’

Finally, as I was tightening the shoe laces, the coach clapped his hands and called the players together.

“Now is the start! Let’s go out confidently as we practiced. What should I do with the Japanese girls?”
“Told you to handle it roughly!”
“Okay. Go wild! Can’t you see they’re all cheating? They say what kind of tikitakani, passing play, jujutsu or shit, but they’re not some kind of Barcelona. No, we got Spain too, right? There’s nothing to be afraid of Is not it?”

I’m not in good shape either, but… Japan is also tough.
I’m on the bad side of our team, but in Japan, my physique is average… At least the Europeans are a bit better.

“Hong Min-jun. Just do what you showed in training.”
“Don’t worry. I will definitely go to the finals.”

How many points did I spend for this match? I can’t lose even if it’s unfair.

The match started with Japan’s lead.
Our team’s concept today is Overwhelming.

It was a plan to actively compete, run one more step, and choke the opponent out of breath. This was possible because seniors Ki-duk Chae and senior Noh Cheol-hyeong, who replaced seniors Oh Pyo-shik and senior Kim Dae-seong, were quite hard workers and had good physique conditions. .

To this end, the defensive line was raised more than usual and the intensity of pressure was also raised.
In accordance with the preliminary plan to drive from the start to prevent people from coming to their senses, I also needed to actively participate in the defense in this game.

‘I like this because my intelligence increases.’

This movement is possible because his physical strength has increased through training, but above all, he has become able to move more efficiently after his intelligence has risen.

After the first increase in intelligence, there was no dramatic change.
There was no tangible change, such as my footwork improving immediately when I raised my skill level and speeding up immediately when I increased my speed, so at first I was like, ‘What’s different?’ I wondered.

But it wasn’t long before I realized.

‘Why didn’t I know this before?’

The way I think I am.

Particularly felt was the tactical movement.
In the meantime, I moved according to the director’s instructions, but I didn’t know why, but now I vaguely understand. What does my movement mean and how does it affect the team?

Intelligence is… It was a stat that raised overall understanding and increased efficiency rather than individual stats.
Like now.

Before the start, I saw the Japanese player who was glaring at me badly trying an obvious 2:1 pass.
If it had been before that, it would have been too late to block the pass. But not today.

As soon as he judged that it was possible, his legs moved.
The friendly side slightly out of the half line. Headed from the opposing midfielder in the center to the striker digging into the side, and just before heading back to the midfielder…

“Nanet!!!!”

I almost burst into laughter at the other person’s cry.
Damn, this is an unexpected attack.

Due to the obvious movement, it was lower than where it was supposed to be, but this should be fine.
I pass to the defense and try to return, but they try to steal the ball.

I don’t know if it was intentional or not, but the two players exquisitely press back and forth.
As usual, after depressurizing with personal skills, I came up with a more efficient move when I was trying to break through the dribble.

‘When I’m done, the tempo gets too slow.’

First of all, trap the ball long to lure the guy running in front. As expected, the guy who hastily stretched out his feet.

Watch the guy’s movements and pull the ball back with a simple dragback to break his balance.
At the same time, aiming for the gap between the legs of the guy rushing from behind, lightly heel pass. The ball hit by the heel flies past the Japanese player’s crotch.

‘Now!’

The moment I make eye contact with senior Yoon Hyuk running from behind, I use the Japanese guy, who lost his balance while stretching out his feet, as a pillar to turn my body around and push me off with all my might.

As I ran away from behind the stumbling Japanese guy, an exquisite return pass fell in front of me as if I had been waiting for it. He inherited senior Yoon Hyuk’s sensible pass and hit it.

* * *

“Junichiro’s pass. Miura Maya. Junichi—Hong Min-jun runs again! Mid-cut! Hong Min-jun makes the cut!”
“Don’t be vigilant! It’s dangerous if you take it away from the friendly camp!!”
“Japan’s quick pressure! Dangerous prize— Hong Min-jun! Hong Min-jun peeled off! Peeled off with a light drag-back, to Yoon-hyeok! Hong Min-jun again!”
“It’s fast! Minjun Hong is fast!!”
“You just hit and run! There are no allies around to help you! Hong Min-jun, what should I do, Hong Min-jun!!”
“Centerback Takehiro Hashioka is running! Let’s go! Let’s go, Minjoo Hong Hong!!
“It’s in the penalty box! Shoot! Shoot! Shout!!”

* * *

He dribbled and looked around.
Even our team players were behind in an unexpected counterattack.

The tempo did not stop due to the connection with senior Yoon Hyuk, but the counterattack started from a very low place in the first place, so the opponent’s defensive camp was equipped.

As long as the opponent’s defense is in place, it cannot be called a counterattack.
If it’s normal, I’ll pass backwards and build up step by step. The Japanese players also seemed to be more concerned about the path of the pass than I, who caught the ball, seemed to anticipate it.

‘What. I’m holding the ball, but I care about other players?’

So I hit it.
Without slowing down, he rushed forward and knocked off the Japanese players who were running.

I follow behind, but in that short time delayed by changing direction, there are only two players in front of me.

‘If you slow down, you will be surrounded!’

However, it is still too much to run with all your might and show off your individual skills.
Slightly slowing down, he left and right in an instant with the center back in front of him, and broke through as the opponent’s balance shifted to one side.

The only thing left is the goalkeeper.
After watching the goalkeeper running through the goal with a wrinkled face, he lightly kicked it between the crotches.

* * *

“Goal!! It’s a goal!! 7 minutes in the first half! Hong Min-joon scores an amazing opening goal in 7 minutes in the first half!”
“Ahhhhh man’s huge goal!
“It’s an unbelievable fantastic goal!! Wow~ It’s amazing!!”

— Minjun Hong! Minjun Hong! Minjun Hong! Minjun Hong! Minjun Hong! Minjun Hong!
Hong Min-joon to the National Assembly!!
ㄴMom, I want to be Hong Min-jun when I grow up Mom, I want to be Hong Min-jun when I grow up
—ㅋㅋㅋㅋ The Japanese goalkeeper and defender collapsed and couldn’t get up?
Kneel down, that’s at eye level between you and me
N-Kya~ Eye level true education Sensei Hong Min-joon
—ㅅㄴㅋ I’m just going to beat myself up
—Yoroke~ Yoroke~ It’s a goal because we dribble~
—It’s really tough. Is this the dignity of a college leaguer?
ㄴHe really needs to go to Europehaha
There are already a lot of transfer rumors
After the Olympics, I’ll just go to Europe.

While the Korean commentators jumped up and went mad, there was cold silence from the Japanese commentators who were broadcasting side by side.

“…Eh… Ho, Hong Min-jun’s goal came in. Yamada-san, what do you think of Hong Min-jun’s goal just now?”
“This is… I can only say it’s amazing. It’s overwhelming. It’s such an overwhelming goal.”
“Ah… Center back Takehiro Hashioka and goalkeeper Kosei Dani, who stopped Hong Min-jun at the end, are unable to get up.”
“Ah… Sakka Nippon Daihyo! Don’t get frustrated! We have to show the spirit of a samurai. Don’t kneel, our players!!”
“You have to get up. You have to get up! All of the Samurai Blues watching! Please shout together! Get up! Get up! Get up!!”

—Kitaｷﾀ💞💞(ﾟ∀ﾟ)💞💞!!
—Hong Sang’s first goal~~!! Truly world-class quality!!
—Joseon brothers are strong!! Too strong!!
—Sama Hong Daisuki~~
ㄴAsia’s Prince Minjoon Hong!!
Laughing is so cool!!
— Archipelago sinking wwwww
—Losing to guns wwwww

* * *

Match resumed.
Having scored the opening goal, Japan launched an active offensive.

Even clapping your hands makes a sound when you face each other, and a fight only grows bigger when the opponent responds.
In the face of Japan’s offensive, Korea did not back down either.

“Run! More pressure, pressure!!”
“Attack!”

Amidst the shouts of the coaches of both teams, the difference between the two teams, who had lined up each other and engaged in a fierce battle in the center, was whether or not they had stable possession.

It was Ace’s performance.
Although Japan excelled in the fineness of the pass, it did not lead to a decisive chance due to the pressure of the Korean players who were competing fiercely.

On the other hand, the Korean team was able to create a decisive situation thanks to the overwhelming ability of keeping the ball by moving and defending the ball no matter how clingy the Japanese player was if the ball was connected to Hong Min-jun at least once.

“Bagayaro!! Why can’t you stop it!!”
“Director. Hong Min-jun’s activity is better than expected.”
“What? Give me the heatmap!”

Gotaro, who checked the analyst’s record sheet, bit his lip.

‘From the beginning… Did he hide his power!!’

Hearing the coaches’ urgent calls, Kotaro raised his head and saw Hong Min-jun, who lightly launched the ball near the top of the penalty box and passed it.

As if mocking the two Japanese players who were blocking their way, the ball flew over their heads and hit the head of a Korean player who ran from behind and shook the net.

“…Cheek show.”

16 minutes in the first half.
It was the 2nd goal.

* * *

33 minutes into the second half.
The moment when everyone was exhausted and slowed down after an intense match.

No matter how efficiently I moved, I, who had poor absolute stamina, was also exhausted.
The Japanese players staggered and blocked the way as they managed to catch the pass, dragging their heavy legs as if they were full of sandbags.

I can’t.
I feel like I’m about to collapse while breaking through.

I could see the white faces of the Japanese players who were blocking my way, but I couldn’t think of overdoing it in a game that I was winning anyway.

So it just sucked
From a distance of 20m, he took advantage of the fact that the Japanese players were frightened and did not interfere, and fired a mid-range shot to his heart’s content.

That was the goal

“…This is it.”

I was about to hold a ceremony in a daze, but I heard a vague cry from the Japanese goalkeeper, who was sitting down.

“Yamerooooo!! Yamero mo Yamerungda!!!”
“Big…!”

Are you a comedian?

* * *

Olympic Men’s Soccer Semifinals.

South Korea 5:0 Japan
Minjoon Hong 7
Chae Ki-duk 16
Minjoon Hong 37
Yoo Ji-ho 52
Minjoon Hong 78