Field Commander - Chapter 50

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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 50.

Chapter 50.

Chapter 50.

Victory in the Korea-Japan match ahead of Liberation Day.

TV is filled with nothing but stories about the Olympic soccer team’s advancement to the finals and Jang Jin-woo.

Jang Jin-woo’s stock, who scored two goals today, has risen with momentum that could pierce the sky.

Annoyingly so.

“This is why Korean soccer can’t develop.”

I was talking with Jung Joo-young while watching TV in the dormitory.

“Only the guy who scores gets attention. People need to know who really dominated the game.”

I was probably badmouthing Jang Jin-woo.

But Jung Joo-young’s expression was very bright.

“Goals are what’s visible to the eye.”

The silver medal was already secured, and the military service issue he so desperately wanted resolved was taken care of.

Not just Jung Joo-young, but all the players today were in a festival mood.

Come to think of it, Jung Joo-young didn’t score today.

But he definitely had a very good performance.

“I don’t know what would have happened in today’s game without you. The Japanese kids’ level has really improved. Before, they would avoid physical battles, but now they charge at you like mad dogs when you mess with them.”

Jung Joo-young’s body had quite a lot of bruises here and there.

I saw them when I was putting pain relief patches on him earlier.

“It seems that way. They didn’t hesitate to make dangerous tackles.”

“They’re probably guys who played in Europe. It’s hard to survive there if you’re not rough. But you don’t have a single bruise on your body. Did you dodge them all?”

At Jung Joo-young’s words, I smiled.

“They would panic and back away just looking at my face.”

“That seems right. Ah, that does seem likely. Does Jang Jin-woo also run away when he sees you?”

“It would be proof that he has at least a little conscience.”

“Hehe.”

This chic Jung Joo-young laughing out loud?

I thought it would be nice if I were a bit more handsome, but I can’t complain about this face.

Just being able to enjoy soccer like this seems sufficient.

And I learned that the level of U-23 players is incredibly high, and this translated into hope for World Cup victory.

‘It seems possible?’

Of course, I can’t do it alone.

Everyone needs to be there.

After finishing my conversation with Jung Joo-young, I immediately changed into athletic wear.

“Where are you going?”

“Yes.”

“Where?”

“The final match is still left.”

I felt like we shouldn’t let our guard down as if everything was already over.

“What?”

“If we win just one more time, it’s a gold medal, right?”

“….”

I was about to open the door and go outside when Jung Joo-young called me.

“Wait. Let’s go together.”

“Yes! I’ll wait outside.”

I went outside and smiled.

In the end, someone has to create the atmosphere.

As someone who had been responsible for Maedong High School since my first year, such tasks weren’t too difficult for me.

I walked toward Kim Seong-ryong’s dormitory.

When I knocked on the door and entered, a PlayStation game party was happening inside.

“Why?”

Kim Seong-ryong, who was looking at his mobile phone, looked at me and asked.

“Joo-young hyung says let’s exercise together?”

“What?”

“He says if we just beat Mexico, it’s a gold medal.”

“Joo-young really said that?”

Kim Seong-ryong had an unbelieving expression.

Since they’re peers and even played together on the national team, he would know well.

“Yes.”

Gu Ja-yoon and Han Seok-ho, who were playing games, quietly put down their game controllers.

Kim Seong-ryong reluctantly put down his mobile phone.

“What wind suddenly blew? That guy…”

Once Kim Seong-ryong, the second wild card, moves, the Olympic team has no choice but to all come out to the playground.

Until the final match.

4 days left.

The key is not letting our guard down until then.

* * *

The Mexico match.

Lee Sang-cheol returned to the dormitory immediately after the post-game interview and continued analyzing Mexico’s games.

Their tactics themselves hadn’t changed much.

Strengthening defense and then aiming for counter attacks or utilizing set piece situations.

However, there were changes in a few players.

Among them, a player named Jurgen Dam who started coming out as right wingback.

The player who caused an upset in the match against Brazil.

‘…He’s fast.’

When this player picked up speed, no one could catch up to him.

English and Brazilian players were no exception.

After breaking through with speed, ground crosses between the goalkeeper and charging forwards.

Or inducing goal line outs or fouls to create set piece situations.

I don’t know if not shooting well is the manager’s instruction, but he showed very threatening performance coming out in the second half when everyone was tired, and in the Brazil match, he played a role in turning the game around.

‘Same level as prime Gareth Bale?’

I didn’t actually compare, but that’s how it felt.

‘Can Seok-young handle this guy?’

Seok-young is fast for a soccer player, but he’s not this level of monster.

‘There could be a hole here…’

Should we also play stable, defensive soccer?

I definitely found a breakthrough regarding the possibility of Jang Jin-woo and Jung Joo-young coexisting.

Jung Joo-young is capable of multiple positions, and today he didn’t get greedy and made assists.

If these two play again, including Kim Sang-hyuk and Lee Young-kwon, we can definitely dominate Mexico in aerial supremacy.

New tactics came to mind, but as a manager, I was torn between training tactics in a short time or continuing what we’ve been doing well.

– Ring ring ring…

Then my mobile phone rang.

I thought it might be annoying calls from journalists I know, but it was Hwang Ki-ho.

A 2-year soccer senior.

But during Lee Sang-cheol’s soccer days, 2 years meant he was like a heavenly senior.

– Yes, senior.

– Wow, congratulations.

Lee Sang-cheol, who was the head coach and temporarily took over as manager when Hwang Ki-ho moved to the National Team.

– Thank you.

– The guys played well today.

– It’s thanks to what you built before leaving, senior.

– Right. Hahaha.

Lee Sang-cheol knew all too well that he liked these kinds of comments.

But it didn’t seem like he called just to say this.

– But why didn’t Sung-wook start today? Was his condition not good?

As expected…

Although Hwang Ki-ho was an excellent player who led the Korean team to the semifinals as captain in 2002, Lee Sang-cheol also had slight doubts about his capabilities as a leader.

First of all, he tended to mainly use players he had worked with before, regardless of their ability.

Ki Sung-yueng was a player raised by Hwang Ki-ho and was already a starter on the National Team.

– In today’s case, I used him because I thought Sang-hyuk would do well.

– I see… That guy did well too. But you’ll use Sung-wook in the Mexico match, right? He did well in the first group match?

Lee Sang-cheol couldn’t give an immediate answer.

Ki Sung-yueng was also a very good resource.

Especially his highly accurate switching long passes were one of his specialties.

He had the disadvantage of not having good defensive ability to be used as a defensive midfielder, and Kim Sang-hyuk possessed both of these qualities.

– You know, right? The World Cup Asian qualifiers are in 2 months?

– Yes, I’m aware, but how about additionally selecting Sang-hyuk for the National Team?

This was quite an adventurous statement.

Hwang Ki-ho was a figure who wielded tremendous influence not only in Korean soccer but also in the soccer association.

Especially with the soccer association president from Korea’s top chaebol family, they were like brothers, frequently having meals and building friendship.

It was common knowledge that if you got on Hwang Ki-ho’s bad side, it would be difficult to survive in Korean soccer.

There were even rumors that the legendary Korean soccer manager Kim Beom-geun stepped down from the National Team position due to Hwang Ki-ho’s influence.

– …That guy plays in the German 4th Division, doesn’t he? I don’t think we should pick someone who hasn’t been proven yet?

A cold tone with slight irritation rising.

– That guy’s injury hasn’t been verified either… and he’s young, so it wouldn’t be too late to give him a chance at the next World Cup. And Sung-wook fits my tactics.

At those words, Lee Sang-cheol felt a surge of anger.

They’re both the same age.

Sung-wook’s birthday is even earlier.

And if he had watched the Olympic matches, he should never say such things.

– Is it because Chang-yeol raised him?

– What, man? You…?

A moment of silence followed.

– Sang-cheol, who do you think will be the next National Team manager? Huh? Then you can use whatever players you want. Got it?

Lee Sang-cheol listened to what was close to a lecture for a long time before hanging up the phone.

‘Phew…’

Anyone who has done even a little soccer-related administration knows too clearly about Korean soccer’s problems.

Connections soccer, connections administration.

While the world is moving toward merit-based soccer and merit-based administration, Korean soccer is going backwards.

– Who do you think will be the next National Team manager? Huh?

At those words, Lee Sang-cheol had no choice but to compromise.

Hwang Ki-ho would use his influence?

He might be able to get the next National Team manager position.

He also had Olympic team achievements.

If he became the National Team manager, he could really pick only talented guys and challenge for the World Cup.

Lee Sang-cheol, who sighed deeply, drew the curtains with a frustrated heart.

Then he saw players filling the entire playground.

It seemed like all 18 had come out.

“Those guys…”

He told them to rest well…

He thought they would relax since their military service was also resolved, but they were quite diligent.

Seeing that mental attitude, he could relieve some of the burden on his heart.

Choosing Ki Sung-yueng and aiming for the National Team manager position.

Choosing Kim Sang-hyuk and being kicked out of the soccer world.

Coexistence of Ki Sung-yueng and Kim Sang-hyuk?

Hwang Ki-ho just didn’t want to see Kim Sang-hyuk perform well.

That was the core of today’s phone call.

A situation where he had to choose one of two options.

He took out his wallet and looked at the family photo.

His two daughters who were still young.

He was in his 40s with too many responsibilities.

* * *

The Olympic team atmosphere was good.

Everyone received military exemption.

And their desire for a gold medal also rose, but…

Strangely.

I couldn’t find my name on the starting lineup.

– GK Kim Seong-ryong

– LB Lee Seok-young

– RB Park Chang-su

– CB Lee Young-kwon

– CB Han Seok-ho

– MC Ki Sung-yueng

– MC Lee Dong-won

– MC Lee Bo-kyung

– LF Jung Joo-young

– RF Gu Ja-yoon

– CF Jang Jin-woo.

“Manager.”

Jung Joo-young questioned Lee Sang-cheol with an expression of disbelief.

“I can’t understand Sang-hyuk being left out.”

Goalkeeper Kim Seong-ryong spoke in a resentful voice.

“I prefer having Sang-hyuk in front of me?”

Ki Sung-yueng coughed awkwardly, and Lee Sang-cheol lightly tapped the table with his palm before the atmosphere got worse.

“Player selection is the manager’s authority. And we dominated Mexico in the group stage with this lineup. We just couldn’t score goals.”

“But I can’t accept that explanation.”

Jung Joo-young, who was usually quiet, continued to challenge him.

Instead of getting angry or shouting, Lee Sang-cheol played a video.

“Mexico is a team that shows tremendous stamina in the second half. They did so against England and against Brazil too. Rather, they’re a team that focuses on defense until a certain point. I’m saving Kim Sang-hyuk to face Mexico’s second half. Do you understand?”

Ah…

I was convinced by Lee Sang-cheol’s words too.

Certainly, when it went past the 35th minute of the second half, Mexico ran as if it were the beginning of the match.

Jung Joo-young looked at me, and I nodded with a smile.

In this situation, expressing more complaints would only mess up the team atmosphere.

“Understood. I’m sorry.”

“No. You should always voice such complaints.”

As the strangely flowing tension in the Player Squad eased, Lee Sang-cheol turned his gaze to me.

“Are you satisfied, Sang-hyuk?”

“Yes. As long as we win the match, it doesn’t matter whether I play in the first half or second half.”

I had to answer this coolly to make the atmosphere even better.

Of course, I was a bit annoyed that I couldn’t start.

Is my ability inferior to Sung-wook’s?

In such an important match?

“Thank you. For understanding my feelings.”

Lee Sang-cheol finished his brief briefing.

“Don’t come out and train without being told like last time, and do your best today to improve your condition for tomorrow’s match.”

“Yes!”

After training ended, Jung Joo-young and Kim Seong-ryong approached and each said a word.

“Don’t be disappointed.”

“Yes.”

“Hey, I like you better. When I’m with Sung-wook, I get 100 gray hairs per match, but when I play with you, my gray hairs actually decrease. You know?”

“Hahaha. Thank you.”

The two headed to the dormitory, and Jang Jin-woo approached me.

The guy smirked.

“Did you get on someone’s bad side?”

“What?”

“Your luck is absolutely terrible. What the hell did you do to get on their bad side?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Just sit on the Bench and watch my performance.”

“….”

That bastard?

Should I just gouge his eyes out?

“You can’t even score goals without me, are you okay with that?”

This time Jang Jin-woo’s face turned red.

“What?”

“Go look at the statistics.”

“Ha, this is ridiculous…”

The guy shook his head with an expression of defeat and disappeared.

I glared at the back of Jang Jin-woo’s head and then let out a chuckle.

There’s something people don’t know.

I’m never obsessed with Olympic starting positions.

If I become obsessed with starting positions and create bad blood with some players, that would be a bigger problem.

After all, my ultimate goal is Korea’s World Cup victory.

‘Should I analyze the Mexico guys’ second half play more? But really… what could there be?’

The problem is that there’s no information I can learn about anything other than soccer.

Just in case, I should ask around here and there.

—————
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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