21 – Stubborn Joo Ji-tae
021
The AFC U-20 Asian Cup held in Indonesia in March ended with the best result, a victory.
And in mid-April, about two weeks after the end of the Asian Cup, when the heat of the tournament had not yet subsided, there was another event that drew attention to the under-20 national team.
“The FIFA U-20 World Cup, also known as the Youth World Cup, is just around the corner. The final roster for this upcoming Youth World Cup, which will be held in China in May, was announced yesterday.”
“That’s right. Coach Jang Ki-seok, who leads the under-20 national team, announced the roster yesterday afternoon at the Football Association press center. You may have already heard, but there have been some changes.”
The focus was on the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup.
In Korea, it was commonly called the FIFA World Youth Championship, which was the predecessor of the FIFA U-20 World Cup. The age limit changed from under 19 to under 20 in 1991, and the name changed to FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2007, taking on its current form.
It was now a tournament famous as the youth counterpart to the adult World Cup, also known as the Youth World Cup.
“For viewers who may not know, please explain the changes, Reporter Kim Chan-ho.”
“Yes, didn’t we achieve the best result, a victory, in the U-20 Asian Cup that ended not long ago? Considering that the two tournaments were held within a short span of just two months and taking into account the performance in the Asian Cup, it was expected that the same 23 members would be selected. However, Coach Jang Ki-seok chose new faces to replace two members.”
The recent Asian Cup received a lot of attention.
This was inevitable, as the football association, which had always received criticism from the public, ambitiously pursued a long-term youth development project called the ‘Dream Project,’ celebrating its 10th anniversary and showcasing its achievements.
The executives of the football association, who had been closely watching, couldn’t hide their triumphant smiles after the tournament. The Asian Cup victory was a historic success, not only yielding the expected result but also unearthing top prospects like Ju Ji-tae and Jo Jae-sin.
Just a month after the conclusion of the Asian Cup, a more significant tournament loomed ahead. Expectations were dominant that the victorious squad would continue their success into the World Cup. However, a surprising twist occurred as two players were replaced among the 23-man squad.
“But what’s even more astonishing is a separate matter. The classification of Ju Ji-tae, who won the MVP as a center-back in the Asian Cup, as a ‘midfielder’ is garnering a lot of attention, given that the two players replaced are rotational members, making it understandable based on tactical flexibility and conditions.”
—
During the Asian Cup, he was the unnoticed youngest member of the national team.
However, now, during the preparations for the World Cup, it’s different.
“Ju Ji-tae, over here, please!”
“Jae-sin, Jo Jae-sin! Just a few words, please!”
“Tell us your thoughts on winning!”
“There are rumors of a transfer; can you give us a hint about where you’re moving to?”
In just two months, from a player no one paid attention to, Ju Ji-tae and Jo Jae-sin had become the most talked-about players.
“Hey.”
“Why?”
Posing for the fans and answering the requests of the journalists wanting interviews in front of him took about two hours.
Maybe it was the lingering taste of the Asian Cup, or perhaps due to the overwhelming crowd that had gathered, Jo Jae-sin, out of nowhere, gazed at the sky with a wistful expression.
“Is this what popularity feels like?”
“…?”
“Thousands gather, shouting my name, pretty girls begging for just a word, and if I look their way, they swoon… Is this the life of a superstar?”
Ju Ji-tae chuckled.
“Tsk, tsk. You’re intoxicated by the fame. That’s an illusion, my friend. Make one wrong move in a game, and your popularity goes down the drain.”
“Ah, jealous, huh, Ju Ji-tae.”
“Idiot. More importantly, are we the first?”
“Who else could it be? Someone got too excited and came here too early because someone was too eager, making a fuss about being the first.”
Excitement? They’ve played over 80 games even in the senior national team. What’s there to be excited about in a youth team call-up?
“Hey, listen carefully. Now is crucial. Shouting our names outside won’t do any good. Our popularity isn’t eternal. Remember, we’re still the youngest.”
Ju Ji-tae’s sincere advice made Jo Jae-sin’s expression turn peculiar.
“Who am I supposed to say this to? I’m not a fool, and I’m not going to show off in front of my seniors or others. It’s only because it’s you. And who’s giving advice now? What? Don’t forget we’re the youngest? Bastard, which junior goes to the coach to argue right after arriving?”
Hmm.
Agreed.
“Hey, f***. Second advice. A true man should have the conviction to say ‘no’ when everyone else says ‘yes.’ Knowing when to argue is a skill of the MZ generation.”
“We’re not from the MZ generation, are we? When the hell did we become MZ?”
“It’s okay. Because the coach is from the MZ generation.”
“Wow… saying it like that really makes him sound old.”
“Above all, we’re not just any youngest. We’re the super youngest.”
“…That’s true.”
As Joo Ji-tae put down his bag, he headed straight to the coach’s office.
It’s time to find out why I’ve been classified as a midfielder, not a defender.
Smart.
Coach Jang Ki-seok, who had been lost in thought while looking out the window, turned his head at the knock.
“Oh, come in.”
Click.
The door opened, revealing one of the two players who had just excited the crowd outside the window.
It was Joo Ji-tae.
“What’s up? Already unpacked?”
“No. Since we’re going to move to the foreign country the day after tomorrow, there’s no need to unpack. It’s a hassle to pack again.”
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“Kid. Your actions are just like a veteran’s. Sit.”
Looking at the handsome face of this guy, it seemed like today there was a particularly large crowd of young female fans.
Indeed, the world is full of good-looking things.
“Coffee? Green tea? Water?”
“Water, please.”
“Fetch it from the fridge yourself and drink.”
Watching the guy rummage through the fridge as if he had really been told to get it, Jang Ki-seok chuckled.
Rather an unusual kid, isn’t he?
Despite being the youngest in the national team, he doesn’t seem very young.
He’s two or three years older than some of the older guys, but he’s more composed than them. Above all, his strangely relaxed attitude is reminiscent of a veteran player who has been through ups and downs.
‘He’s not even in the adult national team, yet he’s talking about veterans. Quite a strange guy.’
Pulling out a bottle of mineral water and sitting on the sofa exuded an overwhelming sense of confidence.
Even when he was young, he used to talk about the MZ generation, and these days, there was a lot of talk about how young people are different, but it wasn’t to this extent.
Still, isn’t it natural to be nervous in front of the director?
Am I being weird?
As if cutting off the dizzying thoughts, Jang Ki-seok went straight to the point.
“So, what’s up? Why are you here?”
“I have something to ask.”
“What is it? Did Chang-jun leave?”
“No. The coach decides the player roster.”
“Then what is it?”
Though I had a rough idea, there was still a lingering doubt.
“Why am I classified as a midfielder, not a defender?”
I thought so, and as expected.
Jang Ki-seok recalled the words of Coach Kim Suk-doo he had met not long ago.
“That guy, he’s really something. No, why on earth would a guy who’s so good as a midfielder suddenly insist on playing as a defender? I tried to stop him a lot. I even told him to play as a midfielder. But he’s stubborn. Really stubborn. Did I say to sell the country or sell parents? I just told him to play as a good midfielder, but he insists on being a center back. It’s so… Oh, it’s making me angry again. Oh, sorry. I’m talking nonsense in front of the national team coach. Oh, what was I talking about… Oh, that. Hmm. If I classify him as a midfielder, he’ll come running. There’s no coach or anything.”
Indeed.
As Kim Suk-doo said, he came right away.
Jang Ki-seok scanned Ju Ji-tae with eyes that looked at a strange animal.
Why does a guy with a handsome face that could be an entertainer, a mature attitude, a professional training demeanor, and a skilled interview performance, insist so much on being a center back?
“I’ll classify you as a midfielder since you’ll play as a midfielder. Take the central role this time.”
In response to Jang Ki-seok’s words, Ju Ji-tae answered promptly.
“I prefer center back.”
“Why?”
“What?”
“Why on earth? You were originally a midfielder. It’s been less than a year since you switched to defense. Moreover, your strengths shine more in midfield than in defense. Why on earth are you so obsessed with defense?”
The serious question was met with a simple answer.
“Just because.”
“….”
That’s it.
Jang Ki-seok understood Kim Suk-doo’s feelings.
‘Why are there guys like this?’
But it’s okay.
There are various ways.
So, Jang Ki-seok nodded.
“Fine. If you insist, there’s no choice. Be the center back.”
“Thank you.”
“But you know you have to work even harder, right?”
“Of course. I always give my best on the field.”
“Alright then. Go.”
Bowing slightly and turning away, Jang Ki-seok secretly smiled at Ju Ji-tae.
‘Meeting Coach Kim Seok-du was a good decision.’
Somehow, it was a smile reminiscent of Coach Kim Seok-du of Hojin High.
Absolutely ridiculous.
