Chapter 22: Keep That Up and You’ll Crap Blood (1)

The South Korean locker room, ahead of the decisive match against Spain, was not filled with tension but with the angry shouts of the players.

“Ha, even if they lost to Japan, how dare they give such an arrogant interview!”

“They said we’re not even good enough for practice? This is really infuriating.”

‘They have every right to be angry…’

The day before the match, Spain’s coach, Luis de la Fuente, had made some rather sharp and aggressive remarks about the match against South Korea at a press conference.

“The South Korean players? I know Park Seo-joon, I guess. But the other players… well. I heard there are several young 17-year-old players… If their ace is that age, well, isn’t the level of that team obvious without even looking?”

His words dripped with contempt and confidence, as if the match against the Korean team was merely a waste of time.

However, what angered them more was the statement from Spain’s ace, Pedri.

“We deliberately lost to Japan to meet South Korea. We are now preparing to face Brazil in our next match.”

Lee Tae-yang ground his teeth, his face contorted with anger.

“Those bstards, they must think meeting us is a free win. Deliberately lost to Japan? There’s a limit to bullsht.”

Even the usually gentle Seo-joon hyung seemed angry as he continued Lee Tae-yang’s words.

“No matter what, we’re a country that made it to the quarterfinals together, yet they show not even a shred of courtesy.”

“Calm down. If we get angry and agitated like this, it’ll be exactly what that arrogant Spanish coach wants.”

A coach giving an interview disparaging the opposing team like that is a tactic to provoke the opponent or unite his own team.

But what good is knowing that? It’s just as infuriating even if you know.

‘This is annoying. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this kind of displeasure…’

I remembered when I first came to Europe during my Kim Chan-ki days.

Countless checks, racial discrimination, all sorts of insulting words… But in the end, I silenced them with my skills.

It would be the same this time.

The Spanish players would leave the stadium speechless after the match.

Coach Cheon Mu-seok looked around at the players and continued with a strong gaze.

“We focus only on our game. The best revenge we can get is to crush Spain in their home ground and advance to the semifinals.”

At his words, the atmosphere in the locker room changed.

Anger and annoyance vanished, replaced by a strong resolve and concentration that filled the air.

Coach Cheon Mu-seok smiled, satisfied, upon seeing our expressions.

“Yes, that’s it. That’s the look.”

He said emphatically.

“Don’t doubt yourselves. You are in no way inferior compared to the Spanish players. No, you are even more outstanding players, chosen by me. When perfect players like you use my perfect tactic, this is a game we cannot lose. Go out there and fight without resting!”

‘This game, you guys are going to sh*t bricks.’

The blood of the world-class, no, the ‘God of Strikers’ that had been sealed during the preliminaries began to boil hotly.

Just as I was about to leave, a light suddenly started shining from my bag.

‘What is that? Light from my bag?’

Worried someone might see, I quickly opened my bag to check, and the letter that communicates with the God of Football was glowing.

‘What is this… This has never happened before.’

[Player Jeong Tae-woo, I’ve finally prepared a gift for you this time. 

You’ve saved up points much more diligently than expected, so I’m giving it to you quickly.

The gift is, drumroll please… Ta-da!!! ＼(＾▽＾)／

‘Two Hearts’

Don’t be surprised. You’re not actually getting two hearts. (￣ω￣)

I’ve combined your stamina from your Kim Chan-ki days with Player Jeong Tae-woo’s current stamina stats, just like your reaction speed.

Run like a dog. Hehehe, just kidding. ┐(￣ヮ￣)┌

And how about this?

[Photo of a golden-hued bag]

I bought it with God Points, isn’t it pretty? (≧▽≦)

Yes, are you asking if I bought it with the points Player Jeong Tae-woo earned?

Do I look like that kind of God? Hmph, I earned this myself by working. (￣^￣)ゞ

Anyway, fighting for the Olympics! You need to earn points quickly.

If you win the Olympics, you can look forward to another gift… (^_−)☆]

‘Ha, what kind of God buys bags, and does a God even work?’

It’s cheaper than I thought.

A God working to earn points.

The illusion that Gods are omnipotent shattered long ago when I met the God of Football.

“Still, nice timing, Football God.”

Stamina, one of the most important elements in football.

If my stamina from the Kim Chan-ki days and my current stamina were combined…

‘There’s no way I can lose this, right?’

The Wave Pressing tactic requires a lot of stamina, so I was a little worried, but if he boosts my stamina like this, there’s no way I can lose even if I wanted to.

***

The Estadio Metropolitano was awash in the red and yellow of Spanish uniforms, filled with local citizens who had gathered to support their home country, Spain.

The Spanish people’s passion for football is world-renowned.

From El Clásico, the pride of La Liga featuring Real Madrid and Barcelona, to small neighborhood football matches, football is not just a sport to them but a part of their lives.

Especially since this Olympics was being held in their own country, the interest and expectations of the Spanish citizens were sky-high.

The fans gathered in the stadium to cheer were convinced that their team would never lose to a team called South Korea.

The only Korean player they knew was Park Seo-joon, and they had never even heard of the others.

In contrast, the Spanish team was packed with stars already playing for prestigious clubs across Europe.

The Spanish national team had only one goal for this tournament: the gold medal.

Their confidence pierced the sky, and roars of conviction for victory echoed from the stands.

On the other hand, the South Korean spectators looked somewhat intimidated.

The news of the Spanish national team’s disrespectful interview about South Korea before the match had spread, increasing their anxiety.

“Ha… Can we win?”

One spectator muttered worriedly.

Another fan in the next seat sighed and added.

“That’s what I’m saying. Besides, Spain has so many players playing in European leagues.”

“Sigh, did I come for nothing…”

[“Hello everyone, this is the Estadio Metropolitano, where the match between South Korea and Spain will take place. I am caster Lee Sung-joon.”]

[“Yes, this is commentator Yoo Jung-hwan.”]

[“Before today’s match begins, we have a special guest with us.”]

[“Oh, I’m really curious. Who could it be?”]

[“We have invited Lee Chun-soo, a junior of Yoo Jung-hwan and former South Korean national team striker.”]

[“Hello, this is Lee Chun-soo.”]

[“Hey, you should have come out sooner. Does it make sense for your senior to come out first?”]

[“No, it’s because I’m a guest. And I was with you too. I just spoke later.”]

[“Aigoo, talking back to your senior like that…”]

[“You were once called a trouble-maker and a bad boy in the national football team. So, what do you think of the remarks made by Spanish coach Luis and player Pedri the other day?”]

[“What do I think? They’re just crazy.”]

[“Pardon? Ahaha, as expected, Lee Chun-soo is very direct.”]
[- So refreshing.]
[- I agree. No matter how much we’re outmatched by Spain in terms of strength, saying they lost on purpose is not right.]
[- As expected of Lee Chun-soo, I believed in you.]

Caster Lee Sung-joon was momentarily flustered by Lee Chun-soo’s blunt remark, but seeing the comments and the PD’s OK sign in front of him, he continued.

[“Then, if you were Lee Chun-soo, what would you do in this situation?”]

It wasn’t Lee Chun-soo who answered Lee Sung-joon’s question.

[“If it’s the Chun-soo I know, wouldn’t he probably hit Pedri on the back of the head?”]
The studio and the comments section erupted in laughter at Yoo Jung-hwan’s joking reply.

[- Hahahaha]

[- Hahahahaha Chun-soo-ta is famous.]

[- The player who got hit on the back of the head by Portugal: The lump on the back of my head is still clear.]

[- That was so satisfying, like cider.]

[“Those are childhood memories. The me of today would, I think, show them with skill in a very gentlemanly manner. Showing them with skill on the field is the best revenge.”]

Yoo Jung-hwan lightly tapped Lee Chun-soo’s arm and said.

[“Hey, what’s with the sudden image management? Just do what you usually do, your concept is already broken.”]

[“No, Senior. I’ve aged enough now, I’ve matured.”]

[“Hmm… I heard something from Yoo-jung ssi… Should I say this here-“]

Lee Chun-soo hastily cut him off.

[“No, why are you talking about my wife here… I can’t do this broadcast if you do.”]

Caster Lee Sung-joon playfully interjected.

[“Commentator, I think it’s necessary to inform the viewers for their right to know.”]

[“No, Senior, really don’t say it. Jung-hwan hyung! Stop!!!!!!!!!!!”]

[“Hahahaha!”]

The studio once again filled with laughter at the three’s pleasant conversation, and the viewers could also enjoy a moment of laughter amidst the tension.

A moment later, the stadium announcement blared.

[“The players are entering.”]

[“Well, the match is finally about to begin. Both teams’ players are entering in order.”]

[“That’s right. The Spanish players are coming out first. We can see players like Pedri and Lamine, who are called the future of Barcelona.”]

[“Our players are coming out too. Oh, I see Jeong Tae-woo. His gaze is extraordinary.”]

The camera focused on Jeong Tae-woo.

A strong will could be felt in his eyes, and a special confidence emanated from his stride.

[“Yes, South Korea has once again brought out a 4-3-3 formation, while Spain has come out with a 4-3-2-1 formation. The match begins with South Korea’s kick-off!!”]

As soon as the match began, the movement of the South Korean players changed noticeably.

Lee Chun-soo, who noticed it first, said in a loud, surprised voice.

[“No, what is this? Our players are pushing their line up incredibly high! This is… a tactic I haven’t seen in previous matches?”]

Commentator Yoo Jung-hwan added in an excited voice.

[“That’s right! Even Jeong Tae-woo is positioned outside the penalty box. What on earth is this?”]

[-???? What is this? Why is Jeong Tae-woo all the way out there?]

[- Am I seeing things?]

[- What’s certain is that the Spanish players are more flustered than we are. ㅋㅋ]

[- Look at their faces.]