Chapter 93: An Even More Special Victory (8)

Etihad Stadium was filled with a roar that seemed to tear it apart.

As the players finished their warm-up and headed for the tunnel, the hearts of over 60,000 spectators began to beat as one.

[Manchester City has only one game left.]

[If they win against Nottingham today, Manchester City will achieve their first undefeated Premier League title in history!]

The commentators’ voices echoed.

Fans from all over the world had gathered for this moment.

What was particularly noticeable were the Taegeukgi flags fluttering in various parts of the stadium.

The wave of Taegeukgi, blended with the blue City uniforms, rippled like the sea.

“Are you from Korea?”

“Yes, that’s right!”

“Oh!

Taewoo’s country!

You must be so proud!

He’s absolutely incredible!”

Local British fans would happily approach whenever they spotted Korean fans.

Their eyes were filled with respect and friendliness.

“Your country’s goalkeeper is writing a new history for our club!”

“Taewoo is a true legend.

He’s going to be City’s new symbol now!”

One local fan pointed to his young son and said proudly.

“I think my kid watches Taewoo’s game videos ten times a day.

Now he refuses to take off his goalkeeper gloves.

Thanks to him, I’ve learned the true charm of a goalkeeper!”

The faces of the Korean fans listening to these stories were filled with pride.

Someone quietly teared up and held their neighbor’s shoulder tightly.

How proud it was, as a Korean, to witness such a moment firsthand.

“Our country’s player is the goalkeeper for a Premier League undefeated champion…”

“Bong Joon-ho, BTS, Jeong Taewoo, Let’s go!”

“Hey, nowadays you have to add Queendom to that.”

“Bong Joon-ho, BTS, Jeong Taewoo, Queendom, Let’s go!”

Just then, a roar that seemed to shake the stadium erupted.]
[It was the moment the players entered.

As the broadcast camera focused on each player’s face, cheers calling out their names burst from the stands.

And then the camera focused on Jeong Taewoo.

In that instant, the entire Etihad Stadium spoke with one voice.

Regardless of race or nationality, all the spectators became one and sang his cheer song.

It was a moment when the entire Etihad Stadium became one with the name of Jeong Taewoo.

Jung Tae Woo, wherever you may be,

You’re keeping clean sheets for Man City,

With angel face and lightning saves,

The youngest keeper making waves,

He’s our Number One from Ko-re-a!

Tae Woo! Tae Woo!

***

[The players have gathered in the center circle.]

[The match begins with Manchester City’s kick-off.]

[29 wins and 8 draws this season… a truly astonishing record.]

[City, having secured the championship without a single loss, must overcome this final hurdle today.]

[In terms of points, a victory in this match will record an incredible 98 points.]

[It’s a moment where another new milestone can be set in Premier League history.]

[Can Nottingham truly stop City’s undefeated streak?]

[The hearts of all the fans gathered here today are tense with anticipation.]

[Right now, in this moment, history is about to be made at Etihad Stadium.]

Whoosh-

The ball, starting from Guerrero’s foot, flew towards Sanchez.

Tuk.

Sanchez lightly lifted the ball to Matias.

Tuk.

Matias, without stopping the ball even once, sent it back to Guerrero.

Tuk, tuk.

Nottingham’s players followed City’s players like shadows, but the ball never stopped, moving from left to right, from center to flank, from back to front.

The ball, brushing past the feet of the City players, delved deeper and deeper into Nottingham’s territory.

[Manchester City’s fantastic tiki-taka!]

[The Everton players are just chasing the ball’s shadow!]

[It’s like watching Barcelona in their prime.]

[Each pass is like a move in a chess game, breaking down Everton’s formation.]

Tuk.

Tuk.

Like dancers who have synchronized their breathing for a long time, the City players knew where the next pass was headed without even looking at each other.

Instinctive movements born from thousands of training sessions.

It was a passing tactic of a level far too high for Nottingham’s defense to handle.

The final pass.

Guerrero’s right foot, waiting in front of the penalty box, met the ball.

Pang-!
Swish!

Goal!

A ruthless finish!

Guerrero’s opening goal puts the final touch on the fantastic tiki-taka!

Manchester City takes the lead just 6 minutes into the match!

City’s assault did not end there.

In the 18th minute of the first half, Matias attempted a powerful mid-range shot from outside the penalty box.

The ball flew like a cannonball but was blocked by the Everton goalkeeper’s save.

The ball, heading for the corner of the goal, was caught by the goalkeeper’s fingertips.

But the real highlight came in the 30th minute of the first half.

A free-kick opportunity was awarded due to a foul by Nottingham.

Jeong Taewoo stepped up as the kicker himself.

[Jeong Taewoo prepares for the free kick.]

[The distance is 30 meters… quite a long way…]

[Hahaha, it’s not strange at all for Jeong Taewoo to take a free kick anymore.]

[Even though he’s a goalkeeper.]

Jeong Taewoo slowly began his run-up.

Pang-!

The knuckleball shot flew like a laser, piercing the corner of the goal.

It was a perfect free kick that shook the net before it could even touch the Nottingham goalkeeper’s fingertips.

“Waaaaaaaaah!”

Etihad Stadium was shaken by the cheers.

The cheers from the Korean cheering section, in particular, echoed even louder.

***

The game flowed relentlessly.

The Nottingham players, trailing 3-0, did not give up until the end and fought hard for a single point, but the gods were cruel.

Peep- Peep- Peeeeep-

The game ended with the referee’s whistle.

The Nottingham players left the field with their heads bowed, but the real celebration for the Manchester City players was just beginning.

[This is the second undefeated championship in Premier League history!]

[A new record that surpasses Arsenal’s 26 wins and 12 draws for 90 points in the 2003-04 season!]

[Manchester City has written a new history with an unbelievable record of 30 wins, 8 draws, and 98 points!]

[This is the moment a new ‘Invincibles’ is born, surpassing Arsenal’s ‘The Invincibles’!]

An undefeated championship that the fans had so ardently wished for, beyond just winning the title.

“Kyaaaak! You worked hard!”

As if City had anticipated this moment, a magnificent stage was set up on the field as soon as the game ended.

The players began to go up to the stage one by one.

“Manchester City fans, the heroes of the undefeated championship are now entering!”

The event prepared by Manchester City began with the announcement of the stadium announcer.

“Waaaaaaaaah!”

As Peter Guardian took the microphone on the stage, the cheers gradually subsided.

“Good evening, I am Peter Guardian, the manager of Manchester City.”

“Peter!
 Peter!
 Peter!”

“I am a manager with no playing experience.

Thank you to the fans who trusted and entrusted me, and respected my choices.

Thanks to all of you, we were able to achieve an even greater result of an undefeated championship, not just stopping at winning the title.”

Peter Guardian slowly looked around the stands, continuing to speak with sincerity as if making eye contact with each and every person.

“This is not the end.

We will continue to write new history next season, and the season after that.

Please watch over us.”

“We are City! We are City!”

The cheering song naturally echoed from the stands.

“To everyone who is here with us today, your passionate support led us to an undefeated championship. I sincerely thank you.”

The players on the stage also started to applaud, and Etihad Stadium was once again filled with cheers.

Next, Captain Matias took the microphone.

Having been with City since its dark ages, he finally burst into tears upon reaching this moment.

“Sob… to have such a moment…”

“Matias! Matias!”

“Don’t cry, Captain!”

His tears flowed even more at the fans’ cheers.

“I… I will devote myself to City as much as I can!”

As Matias wiped his tears and stepped back, Guerrero stood in front of the microphone with lively steps.

“Yo! Everyone!
We’re the undefeated champions!”

Laughter erupted from the stands as he started an impromptu rap.

Next, Sanchez expressed his gratitude to his grandmother who raised him, and Castillo calmly shared his thoughts on the victory.

The final turn.

“Taewoo! Taewoo!”

Etihad Stadium chanted my name.

The cheers erupting from the Korean fan section sounded even louder.

‘I wonder if Chuksin is watching…’

The recent letter I received weighed on my mind.

The unsettling content, as if he had been dragged somewhere, was worrisome, but I decided to focus on this moment for now.

I took the microphone and looked at the stands for a moment.

Among the rippling blue wave, the Taegeukgi of the Korean fans caught my eye.

“I sincerely thank the Korean fans who came all the way to faraway England to cheer for me.

I also express my deep gratitude to the coach who believed in me.”

I took a short breath, and recalling the famous words of Coach Hiddink from 2002, I continued.

“I am still hungry.

League championship, Champions League title, FA Cup victory… I will only retire after I have achieved everything.”

“Taewoo! Taewoo!”

And so, Manchester City’s beautiful day was drawing to a close.