Field Commander - Chapter 47

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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 47.

Chapter 47.

Chapter 47.

Right after the match against Gabon ended, Jang Jin-woo’s interview as today’s MOM also heated up the internet world.

– What do you think about Kim Sang-hyuk’s interview?

– I don’t know. I’m not interested in what interview he gave. He’s not even from a league worth my attention. Whatever he said, he either exploded from an inferiority complex or he’s an attention seeker. I wish he would train more instead of thinking about such things.

– What’s your personal evaluation of Kim Sang-hyuk?

– I think the scene of him falling disgracefully after being fooled by the opposing forward’s individual skills today is enough.

With Jang Jin-woo’s single interview, almost every media outlet covering Olympic football posted photos of Kim Sang-hyuk rolling around on the grass in a pathetic state.

– Jang Jin-woo, who is Kim Sang-hyuk? Not interested.

– Will Kim Sang-hyuk’s inferiority complex and attention-seeking behavior lower the national team’s performance?

– Kim Sang-hyuk falling disgracefully to Gabon’s unknown forward, will he really work in the main tournament swarming with powerhouses?

…

ㄴ Even so, this is an international competition – is it okay to show such blatant hostility like this?

Who started it first?

Whoa… did you see how Jang Jin-woo’s tackle messed up Kim Sang-hyuk’s leg? That was too much.

For real. No joke. Ugh, that’s horrible

Even after getting injured like that, he’s still giving assists – Kim Sanghyeok is such a class act.

ㄴ I just watched a video of someone breaking their leg. Isn’t that a robot leg?

* * *

“Haa…”

This is really too much.

No…

When I compared Jang Jin-woo to a fly, they said it was shocking…

Articles are pouring out making me look like a player the team doesn’t need based on that one scene.

I fell on purpose to make the opposing forward let his guard down…

Right. I fell on purpose.

Come to think of it, I’m suddenly getting heated.

If I had been just a little faster, I wouldn’t have fallen so stupidly.

Aubameyang…

I’ll see you later, you bastard.

“Why are you sighing like that? Don’t look at that stuff. It’s meaningless.”

“No, but isn’t this too much? No one’s on my side.”

Jung Joo-young shook his head at my words.

“Of course. How many advertisers use Jang Jin-woo as a model. They’re all major corporations.”

“….”

“Don’t think weird thoughts. No matter how well you play football, advertising will be difficult.”

Ah, he’s really hitting me with facts.

Isn’t this too much?

“You and I are in the same boat. Ah. I think I’m a bit better though.”

This hyung who usually doesn’t talk much is strangely talkative today.

“Ugh.”

I took the ball and went outside.

Then I got a call from my agent Jung Seung-jin.

– Oh, hyung.

– Today’s match was impressive.

Ah…

Is he talking about that scene?

– That’s what Coach Streich asked me to tell you.

– Huh?

– You’ll go straight to the first team when you return from the Olympic tournament.

I expected it, but hearing it directly suddenly made me feel good.

– According to Coach Streich, Gabon’s sharp attack collapsed because you drained their main forward’s stamina, is that true?

Oh?

Even Coach Lee Sang-cheol didn’t know well, but he has quite good insight?

– He’s really fast, but doesn’t have enough stamina to play full time.

– So you fell on purpose too?

– Yes!

I was really frustrated, and I answered loudly with that resentment.

That way he would continue to challenge me.

– Hahaha. Don’t worry too much about the media. They’re originally like that. Later when you face Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga and catch Jang Jin-woo, they’ll all shut their mouths. And with my sense from watching football players for a long time, I think your ability is enough to do it.

Then… then…

I really did pick a good agent!

Thanks to Jung Seung-jin, I felt much better.

Am I kind of a mood person?

When I went to the playground, some big guy had already taken a spot.

Anyone could see it was Jang Jin-woo.

‘That bastard…’

He was practicing turning shots, and his movements were smooth, flexible, and agile.

The shooting that came from there was like a cannonball.

If such shooting came out in actual play, it would be very difficult for a goalkeeper to block.

After shooting, he sprinted at full speed to get the ball and sprinted again…

And shot…

Ah, but…

This time it was a left foot turning shot with his weak foot, not his dominant foot.

It wasn’t the same power as before, but it was enough to score a goal.

Jang Jin-woo in high school only had exactly 2 movements.

Either linking up with his back to goal or turning and running with quick speed.

If you blocked just those movements, this guy had nothing else he could do.

But seeing this match, he had equipped mid-range shooting, his movements in front of the goal post became much more agile, and he could even do turning shoots like he just showed.

The fact that in a 1:1 situation, unlike in high school, he now had more options to choose from.

Could I really catch him with a fly swatter as I confidently claimed?

The conclusion was one thing.

If I stopped here, I could never catch him.

World Cup aside, personally I absolutely didn’t want to lose any match to Jang Jin-woo who had wrecked my leg.

Jang Jin-woo, who had been exercising vigorously, approached me soaked in sweat and panting.

“Done watching?”

“….”

“You were running simulations on how to catch me, weren’t you?”

He’s not stupid after all.

“But it won’t be easy to catch me with those slow legs. You definitely showed your weakness today.”

“….”

What’s this?

This overwhelming confidence?

Does he really think I actually fell down?

“Speed isn’t an ability that can be easily improved. Well, I’ll clear the playground for you. Use it as you like.”

He even has the audacity to pat my shoulder a couple times before leaving, despite being the one who was scared and avoiding me.

‘Has this bastard lost his mind?’

I thought he’d run away like he was fleeing, but he walks away with his shoulders straight.

‘Really? You’re thinking that after seeing just a few scenes today?’

I take back what I said about him not being stupid.

His head seems pretty bad.

I looked at the playground and let out a bitter laugh.

‘The most dangerous internal enemy in war is delusion.’

I thought I had only fooled Aubameyang, but Jang Jin-woo is also being deceived.

I glanced back and watched Jang Jin-woo disappearing into the darkness.

‘Think that way.’

Suddenly, my chances of winning against that guy started to increase.

* * *

After Coach Streich received approval from the club’s board of directors, Freiburg began putting all their efforts into team rebuilding.

Naturally, they couldn’t just pass by offers that they normally wouldn’t have been interested in.

Jung Joo-young.

Korea’s national team forward (60 A matches, 21 goals)

FC Seoul (K League 1, 96 games, 35 goals, 10 assists)

AS Monaco (103 games, 26 goals, 9 assists)

Arsenal player. (2 games played. 0 goals. 0 assists)

Olympic national team (3 games, 3 goals)

– This guy wants to come here on loan?

– The situation at Arsenal isn’t easy for him to play regularly.

– If we can sort out the wages, it should be possible?

– We should negotiate with Arsenal.

– First, we need to check what kind of player he is directly. We can also check Kim’s performance while we’re at it.

In a situation where they lacked a proper starting forward, if they could sign a forward of this caliber, they felt they could get a bit closer to the club’s goal of staying in the league.

Streich strongly pushed for the signing, and scout Schmaike and one board member were urgently dispatched to England.

Schmaike, who arrived a day early, watched the quarterfinal match between England and Mexico to see Mexico’s forward Raúl Jiménez, whom he had been interested in.

Surprisingly, Mexico, who had taken the match to a penalty shootout, eliminated the strong championship favorite England and advanced to the semifinals.

The quarterfinal between Korea and Senegal held the next day.

Unfortunately, Kim Sang-hyuk couldn’t be seen in the starting lineup, but their target Jung Joo-young came out as the front striker and led Korea’s attack.

‘Korea isn’t called a dark horse in this tournament for nothing. The atmosphere is good and their organization is considerable. Each player is top-level. Moreover, their desire for victory is extraordinary.’

Schmaike didn’t know that was because of military service issues.

Even with Bundesliga top scorer candidate Jang Jin-woo and monster Kim Sang-hyuk missing, Korea pressed Senegal and took a 2-0 lead in the first half.

Jung Joo-young had 1 goal and 1 assist.

He had a smaller build than expected, but he gained a slight advantage in aerial duels against the physically strong and elastic African players, and his speed was quite good as he tore through Senegal’s defense.

He also possessed delicate ball skills and shooting, and his football intelligence was high, making his tactical execution ability considerable.

‘He’s almost a complete forward? At that level, he should be able to make it in our league too.’

He had heard rumors that his finishing wasn’t very good, but today all 4 of his shots were on target.

‘Is it that his condition isn’t maintained?’

That was something he’d have to observe for a while.

Senegal brought in more forwards in the second half to attack Korea, and finally managed to score a goal around the 30th minute of the second half.

‘Their attack is at the tournament’s highest level, but their defense is a bit unstable.’

The flaw was that Korean defenders kept falling away one after another to the unique rhythm of Senegalese players’ dribbling.

‘Number 10… Sadio Mane?’

Korean players couldn’t mark this player at all in 1-on-1 situations, and as defensive cracks appeared, they kept giving away crucial chances.

He was good both on and off the ball, had considerable ball-carrying ability, and used both feet well.

His acceleration and agility when suddenly bursting forward from a stopped state were the best among all the players he had seen so far.

A player with tremendous potential at first glance.

After conceding the goal, Korea immediately made substitutions and Kim Sang-hyuk and Jang Jin-woo came into view.

‘Kim is a bit taller.’

That was quite reassuring.

Since the two might clash in the Bundesliga.

‘I wonder what kind of performance Kim can show against that number 10?’

Of course, since Sadio Mane came out as a left winger, he might not clash with Kim Sang-hyuk.

Still, he imagined such scenarios because of the defensive dedication Kim Sang-hyuk had shown at Freiburg II.

Senegal, who had no way back if they lost here, raised their line to attack Korea for an equalizer, while Korea seemed to defend by pulling back their line.

‘If they get hammered like that…’

He thought an equalizer would come…

Kim Sang-hyuk intercepted Senegal’s cross pass by predicting it at an impossible timing.

‘He moved before the ball. I’m sure… how do I even explain that?’

Before the Senegalese players could even react, Kim Sang-hyuk sent a long pass forward several beats faster.

Senegal’s defenders turned and ran, but they couldn’t catch up to Jang Jin-woo who had already built up speed.

The ball fell perfectly between the forward and goalkeeper, and Senegal’s young goalkeeper couldn’t make a proper decision, rushing out only to have to backpedal.

‘In a situation like that for Jang… it’s a goal.’

Jang Jin-woo took a mid-range shot without hesitation, and Senegal’s goal shook greatly.

‘Korea’s solution to Senegal’s pressure is sharp counterattacks.’

The expressions of the Senegalese players, whose goal was breached by just one counterattack, were pure bewilderment.

‘The chemistry between those two players is too good?’

After that, Kim Sang-hyuk didn’t stray far from the center of the field.

He intercepted Senegal’s cross passes 2-3 times based on his incredible prediction ability, and from then on, Senegal’s direction changes noticeably decreased.

Because every time they were counterattacked, they faced critical crises that nearly led to goals.

‘Jang Jin-woo’s movement is too good… I wish he’d leave the Bundesliga quickly.’

When direction changes weren’t working properly, players crowded to one side, the space for Senegal’s ace number 10 to move narrowed, and his performance was inevitably restricted.

‘Whether this is the manager’s instruction or Kim’s judgment…’

Anyway, Kim Sang-hyuk kept interfering to prevent direction changes from the center, thanks to which Senegal’s attacking power was greatly weakened, and the match ended without incident at 3-1.

Korea’s advance to the semifinals.

‘Is the next opponent Japan?’

Another Asian dark horse that had beaten Egypt 3-0, led by Mohamed Salah who was predicted to have superstar potential.

They had made remarkable contributions by eliminating championship favorite Spain in the preliminaries.

Schmaike didn’t know much about Korea, but he had gathered information about Korea while scouting Kim Sang-hyuk.

Historically and geographically… strong rivals.

Japan’s football skills were better, but strangely, Japan tended not to show their skills when facing Korea.

‘There are too many good players here? I’d like to have them all if I could.’

But Freiburg’s finances had clear limitations.

* * *

– Korea defeats Senegal!

– National team treasure striker Jung Joo-young’s outstanding performance secures semifinal spot.

– Semifinal against eternal rival Japan! Can Korea advance to the final?

– Korean football gets closer to Olympic medal! Can they finally win their first medal?

Articles about Jang Jin-woo and Kim Sang-hyuk melted away like ice cream in midsummer sun – not a single one appeared.

Only articles about the upcoming match against Japan in the semifinals poured out like crazy.

Lee Sang-cheol looked around at the players.

A match held just 3 days after the game against Senegal.

An incredibly tight schedule, an 18-man squad.

Fatigue was gradually starting to show among the players.

“…Nevertheless, we managed to avoid Brazil, a strong championship favorite.”

Brazil’s squad was solid enough to serve as a World Cup national team.

Out of the 18 players, except for 5, all were world-class players competing in big clubs.

“Thanks to playing hard from the preliminaries, we’ve even gained this kind of luck. If we meet Brazil in the finals, I can’t guarantee victory, but our semifinal opponent is Japan.”

A hint of madness flickered in Lee Sang-cheol’s eyes.

“I approached matches against Japan with the resolve to quit soccer if I lost. I threw my body on the line and got injured, but I have no memory of losing. The people’s wishes are the same, and we must approach tomorrow’s match with extraordinary determination.”

The conference room was filled with solemnity due to the unusual atmosphere.

“Japanese players dislike physical battles. It was true in the past and it’s true now. However, they are organized enough to bring down Spain and play a considerable level of passing football. I believe what stops them isn’t soccer ability, but the fighting spirit to think you could kill your opponent.”

Ki Sung-yueng couldn’t help but gulp at those words.

Making such statements before announcing the starting lineup…

He briefly turned his head to look at Kim Sang-hyuk.

‘This time he’s a substitute member.’

He smiled bitterly, but he had no authority to go against the manager’s decision.

Moreover, Kim Sang-hyuk was a player who had been completely undervalued by the media.

Most of the Olympic Team members thought of Kim Sang-hyuk this way.

A monster they didn’t want to face.

“Therefore… I will make changes to the starting lineup.”

– GK Kim Seong-ryong

– LB Lee Seok-young

– RB Park Chang-su

– CB Lee Young-kwon

– CB Han Seok-ho

– MC Kim Sang-hyuk

– MC Lee Bo-kyung

– AM Gu Ja-yoon

– LF Jung Joo-young

– RF Shin Dong-won

– CF Jang Jin-woo.

Jung Joo-young’s resentful gaze in that moment…

Jang Jin-woo clenching his fists…

All of it entered Lee Sang-cheol’s sight.

But even for the finals, he had to think about the coexistence of the two players.

“This absolutely won’t be an easy match. I hope you’ll give your best effort.”

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