Field Commander - Chapter 13

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 13.

Chapter 13.

Chapter 13.

Being human, I was pumped up all day after hearing those words from the coach.

But here’s the thing.

– What’s important is this. I’m the top scorer and MVP in the K-League. You’re a night shift convenience store part-timer. What I’m wearing is Hermes, what you’re wearing is from Dongdaemun. No wait, is it from Carrot Market? The car I drove here is a Ferrari and what you ride… don’t tell me you walk everywhere?

As I lay down early in bed, the words Jang Jin-woo had spat out came flooding back into my mind.

The excitement that had been building up all day disappeared in an instant, leaving only anger and coldness in my head.

‘Get it together. What am I even doing?’

That bastard Jang Jin-woo is flying high in Germany.

I sat at my desk and looked up some videos related to Cheongju FC’s matches.

The tactical studies I had worked hard on outside of working, sleeping, and eating time to get my UEFA coaching license were surprisingly helpful in analyzing the games.

After quickly reviewing the scenes a few times, something caught my eye.

“The back build-up is just a decoy. Most good chances come from long passes.”

The main tactic was for the physically strong number 9 to receive the pass and drop it back, then either the number 11 playing as the second striker would receive it for combination play, or pass to the wing-backs penetrating on both sides who would cross it back to utilize number 9’s finishing ability.

“Number 11 looks familiar. That’s Seo Dong-myung who played for Jo-chuk, right? But number 9 also looks familiar?”

I checked the player lineup on Cheongju FC’s website.

‘Park Sang-il from Gangwon Jeil High School?’

Ah…

I remembered.

That striker from the same grade who we frequently faced in regional tournaments since our first year.

A player who was nearly 190cm tall since his first year, and defending against him was really tough.

Thanks to that, it became the foundation for being able to face Jang Jin-woo from our second year.

“He was good, so he ended up here?”

In high school, he used to show off individual skills and make reckless breakthrough attempts.

Thanks to that, I was able to get through major crises relatively easily.

But looking at his movement now, he was focused on performing his role.

I guess things really change when you become a pro.

However, this team’s weakness was the defensive midfielder wearing number 5.

The accuracy of the player who distributed passes from the back was slightly low tactically, and the pass quality wasn’t good.

If only this quality improved, it seemed like a team that could nearly double their scoring.

‘There’s no way a player who’s good at both defense and passing would be in K3.’

When building up from the back, I’d need to be careful of Seo Dong-myung who has good off-the-ball movement and speed, and when passes come up from the back, I’d need to watch out for Park Sang-il’s height.

Since I only have one body, I can’t mark both these players, so my teammates need to perform well too.

However.

‘Park Sang-il has overwhelmingly more shots than Seo Dong-myung?’

This was definitely something to keep in mind when defending.

* * *

Before Saturday’s match started.

“Is there something special happening today?”

Park Chang-yeol looked around the stadium and asked the coaches.

“I’m not sure.”

Last year’s regular season averaged about 50 spectators.

Considering that most of them were players’ families, you could say there really weren’t people who came specifically to watch K3 League matches.

That’s why without help from the city and sponsor companies, they couldn’t operate at all.

But today, the crowd that came to watch the practice match was clearly about four times larger than usual.

“In the three years I’ve been here, I think today has the most spectators we’ve ever had?”

“That’s right.”

Park Chang-yeol also looked a bit surprised.

“Even last year’s entrance test wasn’t like this, was it?”

“There were hardly any.”

Of course, since it was a practice match there was no admission fee…

But having this many spectators would give the players a reason to work hard.

“Could it be because of Kim Sang-hyuk?”

At the coach’s words, Park Chang-yeol had no choice but to nod.

After the professional leagues became active, general public interest in amateur leagues definitely decreased.

However, when Jang Jin-woo, who had appeared like a comet since middle school and won top scorer three times in international competitions as a youth national team player, received intense media spotlight, interest in high school soccer grew for a while.

Then a defender appeared who blocked that Jang Jin-woo to a truly amazing degree in the finals, and they became fixed as rivals.

That was the golden age of high school soccer in nearly 10 years.

When those two players faced off in the finals, nearly 2,000 spectators would flock to watch.

For just a high school soccer tournament.

Kim Sang-hyuk performed unbelievably in disadvantageous situations every finals, captivating everyone and instantly winning the hearts of Korean soccer fans.

“That’s definitely the only explanation.”

If Kim Sang-hyuk were to join the club…

‘The crowds would increase.’

And interest in skilled but unknown players would rise.

Soccer officials might take interest in them.

Park Chang-yeol knew well about the effect that one soccer star could bring.

“Wow, our players are going to have fun playing today. With so many people here.”

“They’ll be a bit excited. They’re human after all…”

He had an ominous feeling that might create an unwanted situation.

Meanwhile, Choi Do-hoon, who was filming the stadium, was already getting excited.

Looking around quickly, he didn’t see any soccer YouTubers trying to capture Kim Sang-hyuk.

‘It’s exclusive!’

In a situation where there were many famous YouTubers covering overseas soccer, his escape route was to build a close relationship with a player who would become famous, and almost instinctively, he chose Kim Sang-hyuk.

Actually…

He was also the most easily approachable player.

An amateur taking an entrance test.

But aside from all that, he was a fan who loved soccer.

‘What kind of performance will he show today?’

* * *

“Hello.”

“Hello.”

Since it was a stadium that could accommodate 16,000 people, it felt quite empty, but there seemed to be more people than on the first day.

I lightly greeted the entrance test applicants who looked very nervous, and I too silently warmed up.

“It’s Kim Sang-hyuk.”

“It really is Kim Sang-hyuk!”

They were shouting so loudly that I could hear it too.

‘Are there still people looking for me?’

It’s been three years since I stopped playing soccer…

How did they know to come?

I was curious, and my mood improved slightly too.

“Alright! Gather around!”

The coach called us together, and I walked over to him with the other players.

I received strange looks from the test candidates.

“The tactics are the same as the mini game we played last time. 3-5-2 formation. Basic build-up from the back. If there’s a counter attack chance or opportunity, immediately send the ball forward. The wingbacks will basically consume a lot of energy, and we’ll focus on that.”

The coach looked around once.

“The forwards must be able to receive the ball with their backs to the opposing defenders, and when the defense presses hard, connect the ball to the wingbacks running in and immediately penetrate toward the goal post.”

This time he looked toward the defensive line, including me.

“The defense should delay the ball as much as possible to overcome numerical disadvantage and press hard so they can’t get shooting opportunities. Now, here’s today’s starting lineup.”

I was placed in the defensive midfielder position.

And Lee Chang-su, the forward who showed clever movement in the mini game, was also included.

“The opponent is a team that’s been active in the K3 League for 5 years, and this will be the last practice match before the league starts, so we’ll play like it’s real. Don’t be intimidated and show the skills you have as much as possible. There’s no limit on substitutions, and if you show even the slightest inadequacy, you’ll be substituted immediately.”

After listening to the coach’s brief briefing, I looked at the playground for a moment.

Seeing the Cheongju FC players slowly coming out and warming up lightly gave me slight goosebumps.

‘Now I’m really playing soccer.’

A smile naturally appeared.

How fun would today be?

My condition was very good, and there was no pain in my right leg at all.

“Alright, starting players go to the center, greet them, and start the game.”

The 11 of us, including me, went out to the playground first.

“Kim Sang-hyuk! Kim Sang-hyuk!!!”

People cheering for me, an admission test candidate?

I couldn’t quite understand it, but I waved lightly toward where the sound was coming from and steadied my breathing.

“Damn… this is annoying. An admission test candidate getting cheers at our stadium?”

I looked at the guy who was picking a fight for no reason.

Jersey number 9.

Park Sang-il.

His height was similar to mine, but his body looked much thicker.

A type of player who’s slow in speed but wins aerial balls through physical battles or plays with his back to goal.

When we faced each other in high school, he didn’t have such an arrogant face.

He always had an angry face.

Like…

I’m a pro but you’re just an admission test candidate?

That kind of feeling?

Suddenly Jang Jin-woo came to mind.

“You better be prepared today.”

He probably still had the high school match in his head.

But, what did I do back then?

I don’t remember well.

I looked at him for a while and then opened my mouth.

“Who are you?”

At my answer, Park Sang-il’s face turned red.

“What? You don’t know me? You don’t know me?”

This bastard…

Getting excited.

Good feeling from the start.

“Alright, we’ll proceed with FIFA rules, and the test team has first possession. Unlimited player substitutions. 45 minutes each for first and second half. No extra time.”

With the coach who was acting as referee finishing his words, the game started.

“Hey? You really don’t know me?”

The guy was still yelling at me.

‘I know you, but I’m pretending not to. Soccer is originally a mind game.’

* * *

The match started and the opponents began high press at an incredible tempo.

Before we could pass the ball three times, it was stolen and they got a shooting opportunity.

Fortunately, the goalkeeper made a save so it didn’t lead to a goal.

“Get your heads together!!!”

The coach yelled, and the teammates looked a bit flustered.

I also couldn’t respond properly to the sudden fast tempo.

‘This is K3?’

If we get overwhelmed by this tempo, it would become a half-court game.

Soccer isn’t baseball – no matter how well one person plays, if 10 people can’t play, it doesn’t show.

“It’s okay! Let’s first get our defensive formation and adapt!”

I clapped and shouted, and several people responded and yelled.

“Let’s defend!!”

My high school habits came out on the field.

The soccer game itself is enjoyable, but losing in war is not pleasant at all.

“Man marking!! Man marking!!”

I stood next to Park Sang-il, and he smirked with a face as ugly as mine.

“You couldn’t play for 3 years, right? I’ll make you feel how big that gap is.”

“…Who are you?”

“What?”

– Thump!

Meanwhile, a sharp kick came up from the corner.

Naturally, it was aimed at Park Sang-il, who was the tallest on Cheongju FC.

All the other players’ eyes went to the ball, but I had already predicted where it would land without looking at the ball.

However, I quickly turned my gaze to check the referee’s face.

The referee’s eyes were also on the ball.

Smoothly.

‘I suddenly remembered. How to deal with a big guy like you.’

I quickly and strongly grabbed his uniform and then let go.

Since it was the moment of jumping, he lost balance and couldn’t jump properly, and in that gap I jumped in front of him.

– Thud!

The heavy feeling of the ball touching my head.

I quickly turned my head.

I sent the ball in the direction away from the goal post.

“This bastard still uses his hands like trash.”

At that moment I felt strong resistance from behind.

“Huh?”

Park Sang-il grabbed my uniform and pulled it so I couldn’t run out.

Hidden behind my large body, the referee couldn’t see the uniform being pulled.

‘This bastard?’

He seems to have grown a bit.

Back then he got angry and caused a scene, right?

The ball I cut with my header went toward a Cheongju FC player rushing from behind.

– Bang!

A powerful mid-range shot immediately followed!

A thick line was drawn through the side and continued into the goal post.

‘If we can’t block it, it’s a goal.’

The synesthetic ability that comes out when I’m concentrating.

Reflexively, I raised my right knee high, and the mid-range shot hit my knee and flew far out beyond the touch line.

“Aw! So close!”

The opposing players showing disappointment.

“Whoa… that was close.”

The goalkeeper’s sigh of relief.

The applause from our team.

“Nice blocking!”

The coaches also clapped lightly and shouted loudly in encouragement.

That’s when it happened.

Suddenly, I felt my field vision expand dramatically.

Everything began to appear and feel crystal clear.

My heartbeat, my steady breathing, the cheers from the spectators…

The chirping of birds…

The sound of the ball rolling…

The sound of grass being kicked…

“Whoa…”

This sensation…

I let out a long breath.

I turned around and looked at Park Sang-il.

“You. You grabbed my uniform, didn’t you?”

The guy frowned.

“You’re dead today.”

For some reason, I don’t think I’ll lose today.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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