16 – U-20 Asian Cup Victory
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The opponent in the final was Uzbekistan.
“Uzbekistan? Isn’t that the country where Kim Tae-hee goes to work in the fields, the land of beauties?”
At Jo Jaeshin’s whisper, Ju Jitae glanced disdainfully.
“That’s Ukraine, you idiot.”
“Really?”
Tocktock—
Jo Jaeshin, tapping his smartphone briskly, whispered with enthusiasm.
“Uzbekistan is famous for beauties too. It’s your mother-in-law’s country, right, blockhead?”
“…Really?”
“See for yourself.”
“Oh.”
With their heads together, the two men dramatically entered the realm of female images.
“Both are mother-in-law’s countries.”
“Uzbekistan has a lot of beauties too.”
The Uzbekistan national team, representing Asia, began achieving significant results in youth football from 2008.
Starting with the runner-up in the 2008 AFC U-19 Championship, Uzbekistan’s youth development took a substantial turn with their first joyous victory in the 2023 tournament held in their own country, culminating in reaching the final of the 2031 tournament.
The current generation under 20 is considered the golden age within Uzbekistan.
However,
“Hey, youngest! Stop babbling and focus. The opponent is also a golden generation. Japan was a golden generation, and now here too. Every damn place is a golden generation. Kids, go and strip off the gold they claim.”
In the final, as sharply assessed by Coach Jang Giseok, Uzbekistan’s shining golden generation met its match against Korea, losing its luster.
Especially notable in the final was Jo Jaeshin, who, after being left out in the previous Japan match due to a minor injury, came roaring back with three solo goals in the championship match, displaying his explosive prowess.
Kneeling seemed to be to gain propulsion, but with stamina and eagerness overflowing from his absence in the Japan match, Jo Jaeshin unleashed a remarkable performance in the final, scoring all three goals.
The result was a hat-trick, the game’s MVP, and an overwhelming top scorer.
After the match, Jo Jaeshin went around consoling the defeated Uzbekistan players one by one.
“Hey, can you speak English? Are you okay? Are you okay? Tell me you’re okay quickly. No, say it during the interview, not now.”
“English? a little bit. oh, I’m okay. You are kind. um? I’m okay. fine, thanks. hey, hey, I am okay. understand? okay! Just say I’m okay, damn it!”
While the consolation was one-sided towards the Uzbekistan players, who, despite failing to win, were somewhat satisfied with the runner-up performance, the spotlight of this tournament was undoubtedly on Ju Jitae, the peer who was selected as the tournament MVP.
Despite having a top scorer with a hat-trick in the final and a second-place finisher, the attention on Ju Jitae, who won MVP with a two-fold difference, was not insignificant. But then again, he was a center-back.
So, the center-back, not even a side defender, made a name for himself by providing two assists in the final and even claimed the title of MVP.
This center-back, not only gaining attention for his sensational performance in the Vietnam match and the dazzling play in the Japan match, stood out.
Dribbles and assists. Already intriguing, but when combined with words that don’t quite match with center-back, it’s nothing short of a first-class aggro for football fans. Without searching, it’s impossible for them not to be curious.
Joh Jaesin sensed this atmosphere more quickly than anyone else.
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Already, unlike during the Ju Ji-tae era, there was a moment of concern as there was no response to the performance of consoling the Uzbekistan team after the game.
But even in the interviews, there was more talk about Ju Ji-tae than himself. Joh Jaesin quickly decided to ride the wave of Ju Ji-tae’s popularity.
“Oh~ Ji-tae? I know him well. He’s my childhood friend. We were friends even before going to school, and we stuck together through elementary, middle, and high school.”
“Ji-tae is a player with exceptional talent. He provided two assists even in the final. Above all, Ji-tae is an irreplaceable, precious friend of mine.”
Pride? What’s that?
What a great thing to have a friend.
This is the time to reap some benefits.
“Oh, so you two are like blood brothers?”
“Yeah~ no wonder. There were so many photos taken together. That’s right.”
“Is the picture good? The two youngest key players of the national team are childhood friends… Oh, this is good.”
Thanks to quickly jumping on the Ju Ji-tae coin, Joh Jaesin could also share the limelight.
“Kya~ This is the ripple effect. Thanks, Ji-tae. I gained 30,000 followers because of you.”
“Yeah, yeah. Enjoy it. Eat a lot and grow up quickly, our Joht.”
“Why is this guy acting so anxious?”
“Why? People like me need to share even scraps so that our Jaeshin can live. 30,000 followers? Is that a number?”
Joh Jaesin quietly turned on the VPN.
It was time for the lonely lone wolf to roam the world.
* * *
From the press conference to shaking hands and taking pictures with esteemed individuals, the celebration finally ended after the victory ceremony.
Before dispersing, the coach gathered the players and delivered a final speech.
“This is not the end. The World Cup is approaching soon. The World Cup is coming. Understand? Rest well, come back. Let go of the fatigue from this tournament, internalize the experience, and let’s regroup. When we gather again… that will be the beginning of a legend. We will topple legends!”
While speaking, perhaps overwhelmed by emotions, tears welled up in the coach’s eyes.
As the coach’s speech ended, coaches with similarly widened eyes sent enthusiastic applause reminiscent of a rising northern country.
“…Why is he like that.”
“I don’t know. Winning feels too good, doesn’t it?”
The coaching staff, shoulder to shoulder, sniffled as the somber players dispersed.
The chaos didn’t end there.
Both sets of parents gathered relatives (even combining both households) and threw a celebratory party, reaching the level of a playful gesture.
Upon arriving at school,
“Cheers! Proud sons of the illustrious Hojin!”
“Cheers! Return with gold, along with the golden medal!”
Large placards, featuring the faces of the two, flapped in the wind at the school gate.
“What, what is this?”
“I don’t know. It’s intimidating…”
The two faces smiling brightly from the placards fluttered in the brisk wind.
“Hey, it’s Jo Jaeshin!”
“And Ju Jitae is here too.”
“Oh, the gold medal heroes!”
“Move, move! Get inside quickly! We have a special assembly today, so assemble on the field right away!”
“Ah, sir! What’s the special assembly for?”
“It’s a special one! Move quickly!”
With the school principal’s enthusiastic lead, an unexpected assembly began.
On a still chilly day, the entire student body gathered on the field to listen to the principal’s speech disguised as a pep talk. All eyes were on the two standing on the podium.
Afterwards, there were handshakes and autographs with friends (although it wasn’t clear if they were actual friends), a show of taking pictures together, and a storytelling session filled with congratulations and welcomes from the soccer team members and coaches.
“…Hey, Juji.”
“Yeah?”
Jo Jaeshin, with sharp eyes, glanced curiously at Ju Jitae, who had a relatively clean complexion.
“Why is your face so pale? Am I the only one struggling?”
“I’m struggling too.”
“But why does it feel like only I’m struggling?”
Ju Jitae chuckled.
Well, because, in situations like this, I’m used to it. Of course, it used to be more about facing hardships than receiving congratulations for something good like now.
It was a face of curiosity, but the secret couldn’t be revealed.
Forever curious.
“Why are you more tired today than on days when you have matches and training?”
“It’s always more challenging when dealing with people.”
“Oh~ Impressive, Ju Ji-tae. When did you start saying such cool things?”
“I’ve always been cool. And I also think deeply and speak well.”
In response to his cocky answer, Jo Jae-shin slyly pulled out his smartphone.
“Let me see. If you’re such a deep thinker, you wouldn’t be engaging in this and that through DM, right~?”
“Don’t send that pathetic guy a message. I just replied telling him not to send anything.”
Ju Ji-tae’s retaliation couldn’t continue.
Jo Jae-shin suddenly thrust his face forward.
“DM? Send? What? What are you talking about?”
Having faced all kinds of people across Germany, the UK, and Spain, Ju Ji-tae wasn’t flustered even in this unexpected situation.
Getting flustered at times like this is for amateurs.
Making excuses is for intermediates.
For the masters, everything is handled with ease.
“Yeah, things like that~”
Nonchalantly brushing it off.
However, the opponent was not to be underestimated.
“Oh, what the hell!”
Jo Jae-shin continued his rampage, bouncing around with an empty bag,
“Oh~ Even if the kids don’t know~”
“Ah, seriously! What is it! What is it! What is it! Hey! What is it! What is it!”
“It hurts. Stop chattering.”
“Lee! I supported you guys to do well, promoted you as a rising star, and took care of you. How could you!”
“Oh, thanks.”
Ju Ji-tae, a man of Bad S’s demeanor who doesn’t bat an eye at a woman’s tantrums, though young. However, Jo Jae-shin, tired of the deep-seated trashy scent sensed by a woman’s instincts, was fed up.
“You bastard!”
But Jo Jae-shin was an undaunted woman who didn’t know how to give up.
The woman’s antenna, astonishingly adept at finding a man’s weakness, quickly identified the target.
“Hey, what’s up~? Huh? Tell me too. What’s going on?”
“…I don’t know.”
“Oh, come on~ Tell me~ Tell me, or I’ll spill everything to Dad.”
Joo Ji-tae, who was discreetly trying to control his sister’s persistent questioning, discovered a familiar yet unfamiliar face.
“Hello, everyone. It’s been a while… but you all seem the same.”
“Yeojin unni?”
“Yeah, it’s been a while since Jae-shin.”
“Wow~ Unni, it’s really been a long time. Has it been, like, a year since we saw you when you went to college?”
“Yeah, a little over a year, I guess. Jitae, why are you so quiet?”
“Oh, it’s good to see you after a long time. Have you been well?”
“Well… Well, Jitae seems a bit… the atmosphere has changed? He seems more mature or something.”
Waving her hands energetically, next door neighbor unni Chae Ye-jin was Joo Ji-tae and Cho Jae-shin’s first love. She also happened to be the grateful person who provided underwear to the two troublemakers.
Among the three people happily exchanging greetings, Cho Ye-shin was the only one pursing her lips.
“Our cute goddess, hello too. Aren’t you glad to see your sister after a long time?”
“….”
“Oh, that little one is already in a school uniform. Oh, did you finish school now? Perfect timing. I’ll treat you guys to a meal. Let’s eat together.”
Walking ahead with joy, the three, including Ye-jin, Cho Ye-shin, with a melancholy expression, pursed her lips.
“Oh my. That foxy girl is here again. Seriously unlucky.”
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“Goddess isn’t coming? Shall we go?”
“…We’re going!”
