Field Commander - Chapter 55

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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 55.

Chapter 55.

Chapter 55.

‘Does that bastard who came on as a substitute in the second half know the pain of playing full time?’

 

Jang Jin-woo gritted his teeth.

 

The guy marking him today seemed to be on drugs – he just couldn’t break through easily.

 

He was 10cm shorter but never lost in physical battles.

 

Most of the Mexican players were composed of those playing in their domestic league, but he didn’t know they were at this level.

 

‘Even rain is coming, this is killing me…’

 

Of course, he didn’t show such expression on his face, but it was true that he was so exhausted that he could taste blood in his mouth.

 

The grass soaked with rain was just too slippery.

 

The scoreboard showed 94 minutes, with about 2 minutes remaining.

 

This attack would probably be the last one.

 

‘Why aren’t these bastards coming out to attack?’

 

Mexico kept only defending even in a tied situation, and he was about to exhaust himself from attacking.

 

Jang Jin-woo’s thought was that he’d rather just dive face-first into the grass water and die than run another 30 minutes of extra time.

 

Due to injury, he had been playing almost full time in every match except two preliminary games.

 

Ki Sung-yueng’s through pass came toward Jang Jin-woo, and he barely managed to receive the ball with his center of gravity shifted back.

 

The guy behind seemed to be pushing with his forearm, and it hurt.

 

‘Damn…’

 

Mexican players were pressuring from all sides, but he couldn’t see where to pass clearly.

 

Even his vision was blurred with the rain coming down.

 

– If you’re going to break through, do it to the right.

 

Why did Kim Sang-hyuk’s words come to mind at that timing?

 

Thinking he should do something rather than hold on and lose the ball again, Jang Jin-woo feinted with his upper body as if going left.

 

The pressure from behind loosened for a moment.

 

Jang Jin-woo instantly touched the ball and spun around in the opposite direction.

 

“Ugh!”

 

With quite a loud sound, the guy who was marking him suddenly slipped on the ground.

 

Seeing him immediately grab his left knee, it seemed he strained himself while turning his body hastily.

 

As a fellow professional, he felt sorry, but he couldn’t miss this opportunity.

 

Jang Jin-woo kicked the ball and drove forward, instantly finding himself in a 1-on-1 situation with the goalkeeper.

 

‘He looks annoyingly huge today.’

 

How many super saves had he made?

 

His 180cm frame looked about 3 meters tall, with just a bit of exaggeration.

 

He needed to shoot, but while hesitating thinking it might be blocked, the goalkeeper had already narrowed the angle.

 

‘Ah, shit.’

 

– Give it to Joo-young hyung.

 

‘Why do that bastard’s words keep coming to mind…’

 

Jung Joo-young, who was so exhausted today that he could barely run since the 80th minute, was penetrating in this situation…

 

But Jung Joo-young was really running from the opposite side with a player on him.

 

He was running with gritted teeth, with eyes that looked like he’d just killed someone.

 

– You missed the penalty kick.

 

‘This crazy Kim Sang-hyuk.’

 

Does he play soccer while reading people’s psychology?

 

Jang Jin-woo pretended to shoot then rolled the ball to the left.

 

The goalkeeper, fooled by the shooting motion, was caught by the feint and could only watch the ball rolling left with a devastated look.

 

‘Please just don’t hit a home run…’

 

Jang Jin-woo prayed desperately, and Jung Joo-young threw his body into a sliding tackle along with the defender marking him.

 

The ball touched by his foot rolled quickly toward the goal post.

 

This situation looked like slow motion to Jang Jin-woo.

 

The goalkeeper turned his body, and the defender marking Jung Joo-young swung his foot with all his might…

 

But the ball couldn’t be faster than a person.

 

– Roll, roll, roll…

 

The ball crossed the goal line.

 

Soon, a roar that seemed to burst eardrums filled the stadium.

 

‘Ah, fuck… did we really come back?’

 

Even Jang Jin-woo, who made the assist, couldn’t believe this situation.

 

Jung Joo-young jumped up and ran with both arms spread, followed by almost all Korean players.

 

Even the manager, referee, and bench players ran toward Jung Joo-young.

 

But Jang Jin-woo couldn’t run.

 

He turned around and saw Kim Sang-hyuk running toward Jung Joo-young.

 

The thrill dominating his whole body wasn’t just because of the comeback.

 

‘That crazy bastard. What the hell is he really?’

 

Did he regress from the future like in those popular novels these days?

 

* * *

 

– Beep… Beep… Beeeep!!!

 

Mexico, having conceded the comeback goal, attempted attacks in the remaining time, but Korea’s defense was a muddy mess.

 

As if paying back what they had suffered, they continued ball possession, and the Mexican players got exhausted from chasing.

 

“Whew…”

 

I put my hands on my knees and caught my breath for a moment.

 

This seemed like the most difficult of all the matches I’d played so far.

 

– …South Korea…

 

The massive cheering sound I’d only heard on TV kept echoing.

 

“Championship.”

 

In high school, I won so regularly like eating meals that I thought winning was natural.

 

But winning in this massive Wembley Stadium with tens of thousands of fans gathered was such an unfamiliar experience.

 

My heart was pounding tremendously…

 

Should I say chemicals were going crazy in my head, preventing proper thinking?

 

I stared blankly at where the Red Devils cheering squad was gathered.

 

‘How great would it be if this were a World Cup victory?’

 

Then I could really play soccer comfortably without stress from now on.

 

Or would I become lazy without such goals?

 

I don’t know either…

 

What’s certain is that if I can’t make Korea win the World Cup, all this ecstasy, glory, and career becomes meaningless…

 

Thinking that way gradually calms my mind.

 

“Sang-hyuk! What are you doing?”

 

I turned my head, and Kim Seong-ryong was gesturing for me to come quickly.

 

Players were gathering, and it looked like they were going to provide service for Korean fans.

 

“I’m coming.”

 

“Hurry up.”

 

“Yes.”

 

I straightened my back and took a deep breath.

 

Then I saw Raúl Jiménez lying next to me, covering his eyes with his arm.

 

‘Ah, this bastard…’

 

He’s the guy who ran around like crazy until the final whistle of the match.

 

No matter how I think about it, this bastard is definitely not normal.

 

I feel like we’ll clash again on the world stage someday.

 

I extended my hand to him.

 

“Stop crying. What kind of man cries just because he lost? How embarrassing?”

 

Then he said something incomprehensible while looking at me, grabbed my hand and stood up.

 

Then suddenly he hugged me tightly.

 

Ah…

 

These European bastards…

 

Anyway, hugging is their daily routine.

 

Ah, is he South American?

 

Anyway…

 

He reeks of sweat…

 

Get away from me a bit…

 

I tried to gently push him away, but he held me tight and started whining again.

 

‘This is driving me crazy.’

 

But for some reason, it seems like countless flashes exploding in the stadium are aimed at me.

 

‘What… what’s this?’

 

* * *

 

– But did we really win? Is it really a gold medal?

 

– No, why doesn’t this feel real?

 

– Jung Joo-young was amazing at the end…

 

– I thought it might go to extra time, but he finished it.

 

– This isn’t a dream, right? I’m not sleeping right now, am I?

 

…

 

Choi Do-hoon stepped away from the camera angle, briefly took off his glasses and wiped his eyes with a handkerchief.

 

They said just winning a medal at the Olympics would be a success, but they won the championship.

 

And they did it after conceding 2 goals in the first half and turning it around in the second half.

 

Like the real-time readers’ comments, Choi Do-hoon had to repeat to himself several times whether this was real.

 

Then…

 

Seeing Kim Sang-hyuk just standing there doing nothing, endlessly gazing at the stands, captured by the broadcast camera, his eyes unknowingly reddened.

 

Because Kim Sang-hyuk’s soccer life flashed through his mind.

 

‘Ah… what must he be thinking?’

 

Jang Jin-woo and Jung Joo-young finished the match, but Kim Sang-hyuk is the protagonist of this tournament.

 

Because he turned around every game whenever he came on.

 

– That monster can look so cool sometimes?

 

– That doesn’t look like Kim Sang-hyuk? Who is that?

 

– Why is he like that? Suddenly I’m getting teary-eyed.

 

– It’s because they won. He also seems unable to distinguish whether this is reality or not.

 

– But didn’t this match also turn around after Kim Sang-hyuk came on?

 

– The equalizing goal definitely had impact.

 

– I think Jang Jin-woo had the biggest impact, knocking down a player and providing the decisive assist.

 

– Ah… definitely…

 

When the angle turned and showed Korea’s bench, which was like a festival house, Choi Do-hoon sat down.

 

“This London Olympics soccer tournament can be seen as a series of upsets. Korea faced relatively easier opponents Senegal and Japan to reach the finals, while Mexico defeated championship favorites England and Brazil to advance. The first half seemed to be dominated by Mexico, but Korea showed their stamina in the second half and ultimately won the gold medal 3-2.”

 

All 18 Korean players and 23 people including the manager and coaches ran around the stadium and showed fan service by sliding on the grass field.

 

“In my personal opinion, Mexico’s tactics of focusing only on defense after scoring 2 goals was the cause of their defeat, but on the other hand, I think it was an unavoidable choice because the Mexican players’ stamina was depleted after consecutive extra time matches against England and Brazil. If the squad had been 24 players like the World Cup instead of 18, I don’t know how the match would have turned out.”

 

The sound of Korean cheering songs heard from the broadcast screen hardly diminished.

 

“With the second half substitutions, Korea quickly scored an equalizer with tactics no one expected, persistently created set piece situations and eventually tied the game. After that, Jang Jin-woo’s individual skills shook off a defender and assisted Jung Joo-young who was charging in… creating the comeback goal. With little time remaining, it was impossible for Mexico to turn the situation around.”

 

The scene of players and coaching staff bowing deeply toward Korea’s cheering section appeared on the broadcast screen.

 

“Korea has won its first gold medal in soccer in Olympic history. This is a very proud achievement that many people will remember for a long time. The Olympic team’s core is U-23. This can be seen as an event that makes us look forward to the World Cup in 2 years. Proud South Korean Olympic team players! You worked hard. The medal ceremony will be broadcast in 20 minutes.”

 

All the players on the field began to exit.

 

Because they needed to wipe off sweat and change clothes to stand on the podium.

 

* * *

 

At that time.

 

Freiburg stadium in Germany, Dreisam Stadion.

 

Freiburg VS Düsseldorf 2:1

 

With little time left in the second half.

 

– Ah, Julian Schuster can’t get up.

 

– If it’s an injury, this is really terrible news for Freiburg.

 

– He’s played 7 consecutive games, playing full time consecutively. I think it might be an injury due to accumulated fatigue.

 

– Actually, Freiburg has no resources to replace this player. Ah, this is critical…

 

Manager Streich watched the medical staff running across the playground with a grim expression.

 

Right now Freiburg couldn’t even form a full squad of 25 players.

 

Total personnel was 23.

 

To promote foreigners Kim Sang-hyuk and Jung Joo-young to the first team, they needed 8 homegrown players (players trained in their own youth system for more than 3 years), but if Julian Schuster was out, the plan could fall apart.

 

‘Surviving in the league is really difficult. But we have to do it.’

 

The really fortunate thing was that Christian Günter, who had adapted to first team tactics, was performing well and they could secure their desperately needed first victory.

 

Though there was still a long way to go.

 

The match ended without incident, and victory songs echoed through Dreisam Stadion for the first time in a long while.

 

“Aren’t you going home?”

 

Even after the match ended, Streich was sitting in his office handling work, when his longtime friend and team chief scout Jorg came in.

 

“I should. What are you doing here instead of going home?”

 

“Did you watch Olympic soccer?”

 

“I’m too busy taking care of my team.”

 

“Korea won.”

 

Streich looked up at Jorg.

 

“Schalke 04’s Jang Jin-woo won both tournament MVP and top scorer.”

 

“As expected, a monster.”

 

Streich’s expression hardened.

 

“But the final match MOM was Jung Joo-young.”

 

At those words, Streich relaxed his expression.

 

“He was the hero of the comeback goal. Our future striker.”

 

“Second striker.”

 

“Ah. Right. And that friend said something interesting in his interview.”

 

Streich temporarily pushed aside the pile of documents he needed to process.

 

It seemed like Jorg had a lot to talk about.

 

“What interesting story?”

 

“He said personally, he thinks Kim Sang-hyuk is the MVP of this tournament.”

 

Streich smiled gently while briefly thinking of Kim Sang-hyuk.

 

“Since they’ll be teammates playing together on the team from now on. He’s probably building him up.”

 

“That could be it, but Schmaike thinks the same. He says he has the talent to become a very great player. To the extent that Freiburg might have trouble containing him.”

 

Schmaike was definitely not someone who talked nonsense.

 

But Jorg talks nonsense well.

 

“Don’t exaggerate too much.”

 

“Hehe… You’ll see.”

 

Streich turned his gaze to the black plastic bag that Jorg had brought.

 

“What brings you here?”

 

“You know what day it is today.”

 

“….”

 

“Did you think I would have forgotten?”

 

Jorg pulled out several beer bottles from the bag.

 

– Feierling.

 

The brand name was attached.

 

“Oh my.”

 

Streich let out a deep sigh.

 

“She was your wife, but she was my friend. It’s been 11 years already, hasn’t it?”

 

“Huh…”

 

Streich picked up one beer bottle and opened the cap with practiced skill.

 

Then he took out a photo album from his drawer, set it up, and placed the beer bottle next to it.

 

“It seems like she protected the team today. Breaking the losing streak with our first victory.”

 

Streich nodded at Jorg’s words.

 

The two looked at the woman in the photo album together.

 

“Maybe so.”

 

The two each grabbed the remaining beer bottles and lightly clinked them together.

 

“Bottoms up.”

 

“Of course.”

 

A while later…

 

“There’s an interesting rumor going around within the club.”

 

“A rumor?”

 

Streich tilted his head at Jorg’s words.

 

“Yes. A rumor.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“The rumor that Kim’s lover is in the club.”

 

“What?”

 

“Many people in the club are paying attention to Kim, aren’t they?”

 

* * *

 

– Our proud players are entering for the award ceremony.

 

– Who could have predicted that our Korean soccer would stand at Wembley Stadium, the holy ground of soccer, for the Olympics’ first medal?

 

– Yes. What was even more unpredictable was that the color of the medal would be golden. This is an incredible achievement accomplished 64 years after participating in the 1948 London Olympics!!!

 

– Our players are smiling brightly and waving their hands!

 

– Ah, the players who made their mark in Korean soccer history are truly admirable!!!

 

Kang Su-yeon sat in the corner of the locker room and replayed this scene over and over again.

 

Especially the scene where Kim Sang-hyuk just stared at the stands for about 20 seconds after the final match was decided…

 

It was a special composition shot from a truly special angle.

 

‘He’s cool…’

 

Of course, she didn’t know.

 

About the rumor circulating among the staff…

—————
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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