30 – Goal
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Since Korea first participated in the World Cup, the last group stage match has usually meant a game where ‘everything is at stake.’
The reason is simple.
Because they couldn’t secure a spot in the round of 16 on their own.
Korea had to either win the last match and achieve the ‘end of the beautiful,’ or win the last match and consider the ‘possibilities’ of other game situations.
But this time was different.
Korea, in this World Cup, secured a spot in the round of 16 long before the last match.
Of course, there is a difference between the adult World Cup and the U-20 Youth World Cup, but isn’t it still the same that Korea is not a strong team that consistently advances to the round of 16?
In that regard, the current situation where they can afford to be relaxed in the last match against Germany in the group stage was quite special.
Republic of Korea 2 / 0 / 0
Germany 1 / 1 / 0
Korea 0 / 1 / 1
Argentina 0 / 0 / 2
If you haven’t followed the news in the past week, you might dismiss this as a dull joke.
It’s that unbelievable of a ranking.
But the ranking wasn’t a joke or a delusion; it was an undeniable reality.
Now, with only the final match of the group stage remaining, Korea stands at the top.
Who would have expected Korea to compete for the top spot with Germany?
Not only is securing the top spot in this historically challenging group a miracle in itself, but it’s also natural to think so given the calamity named Ju Ji-tae.
And this is the result.
Ju Ji-tae shattered all negative expectations, securing a spot in the round of 16 with two victories in two matches.
Of course, where there is light, there is darkness, and where there is good, there is also bad.
Just as there is a team celebrating Korea’s fantastic results, there is a team on the opposite side despairing at the unbelievable and dreadful outcome.
That team is none other than Argentina.
After suffering a 4-0 defeat in their first match against Korea, Argentina faced Germany in their second match, vowing to win. They displayed an excellent game.
Despite being ridiculed as the “weakest generation ever” and a team undeserving of a Copa America championship, Argentina’s performance against Germany in the second match was reminiscent of a championship team.
However, despite their fierce performance, the result was defeat.
No matter how uncharacteristic of a championship team they may be, Argentina, the reigning Copa America champions, recorded two losses in two matches, dropping to the bottom of the group and confirming their elimination.
And Korea’s final opponent is none other than Germany.
The true dark boss, Germany, who shattered Argentina’s declaration, “I knelt to gain momentum.”
* * *
“Deciding the true champion! Korea vs. Germany, which way will the group’s top team go?”
“Five key points to watch in the Germany match!”
“Facing only Germany in the World Cup makes us stronger? Learning from seniors.”
“A worthy opponent! Exploit Germany’s flanks!”
The last match against Germany, with the media buzzing, had, regardless of the game’s importance, turned into a “big match” in the eyes of the public.
Responding to the public’s anticipation for an entertaining big match, people sat in front of their TVs or computers. However, the lineup, revealed despite the excitement surrounding the famous feast, deflated everyone’s expectations.
“Well, we are now one hour away from the start of the game. The starting lineups will be announced shortly, and as soon as they are, viewers… Oh, just now, news has come in that the starting lineups for both teams have been announced. Uh, is this lineup correct?”
Even the veteran caster who ambitiously prepared for the big match broadcast was taken aback by the lineup, and it was from both teams.
“Uh… First, Korea. This time, they start with a 4-5-1 formation. In goal—”
Korea made changes to the lineup, replacing 9 out of 11 players, leaving only 2 unchanged.
“Next is Germany.”
Germany entered the match with a changed roster, with six of the eleven players being different.
In essence, both teams actively rotated players, but the outcome varied.
From Noble mtl dot com
Germany secured a 2-0 victory.
Given the significant skill gap between Korea’s main and substitute players and Germany’s squad filled with competitive talents, the result was unsurprising.
Despite the game being dominated by Germany throughout, ending in a 2-0 defeat, public opinion surprisingly wasn’t unfavorable.
Already having secured a spot in the round of 16, there was a degree of leniency. Commentators emphasized the rotation for the main players’ stamina management ahead of the tournament.
And there was undoubtedly an influence from the trendy and amusing ‘memes.’
“What is this?”
“What’s going on?”
Jae-shin’s smartphone screen was filled with ‘Ju Ji-tae.’
[Joo Ji-tae’s facial expressions by the hour.jpg]
[What is this… a team??]
[Joo Ji-tae’s real-time mental breakdown]
“…What is all this?”
* * *
Coach Jang Ki-seok announced the lineup to the players a day before the Germany match.
“As you all know, we’ve successfully reached the round of 16. After discussions with the coaching staff, considering the fatigue of the players leading up to the tournament, we’ve concluded that rest is necessary. Therefore, we intend to rotate the squad for this game. For those who haven’t had a chance, this is an opportunity to prove themselves, and for those in need of rest, rest will be given.”
The key point was that players who had started in the past two games would be benched, and naturally, Ju Ji-tae and Jo Jae-shin were among them.
As usual, the two sat side by side on the bench, watching Korea defend, but the issue was that the broadcasting stations kept focusing on them.
The broadcasters had their reasons.
It was promoted as the deciding match for the top spot, an epic showdown between perennial favorite Germany and Korea, their eternal rival. Both teams rotating players? Moreover, the game was progressing in Germany’s overwhelmingly superior favor.
In the broadcast’s perspective, Korea needed to show something, being consistently cornered in their own territory. Even for a veteran commentator, shielding had its limits, so they chose to illuminate the aces of the team that didn’t play to divert the attention of infuriated viewers disappointed by the one-sided match they had hoped to be thrilling.
The camera that frequently zoomed in on Ju Ji-tae, Jo Jae-shin, and Yoo Gi-tae… It happened to be Ju Ji-tae who captured people’s interest.
Because his reactions were priceless.
[F***, look at the performance, it’s s***.]
[Why can’t they do anything?]
[They exhausted all their strength just to beat Argentina.]
[Oh, so boring.]
[Did I just witness the birth of a legend?]
[What’s up with Ju Ji-tae’s expression, lol.]
[Expression, seriously lol.]
[My expression right now is exactly the same.]
Somewhere in the midst of the first half, the anticipation had vanished.
In the midst of anger-filled posts flooding the soccer community, Ju Ji-tae’s vacant expression caught by the broadcast camera became the starting point for countless meme creations.
[?? : Is this our team?]
[The core of Korea was the center-back, lol.]
[Is that a genuinely shocked expression? lolol]
[Ah, this is reality, my friend.]
[I wonder what he’s whispering to Cho Jae-shin next to him.]
[Whether he’s a senior or not, he’s probably cursing and ranting.]
Helplessly watching Korea getting thrashed on the field had become a meme that spread to all kinds of communities.
In the broadcasting station, monitoring real-time viewer reactions, they naturally focused more on capturing Ju Ji-tae’s responses than the dull game itself.
[Wow~ Without Ju Ji-tae, we immediately concede a goal, right?]
[His vacant look is so hilarious, lololol.]
[Real-time out-of-body experience.]
[But seriously, Ju Ji-tae’s absence is strongly felt.]
[Goal conceded, and Ju Ji-tae’s expression changes.jpg.]
Viewers praised his reactions with memes.
“Wait, what the… I was just spacing out, wasn’t I?”
This time, Ju Ji-tae was genuinely indignant.
Truly lost in contemplating his different thoughts, or rather, pondering the second goal of life, he had simply been absentmindedly watching the game.
[Comparison of expressions at the start and end of the second half.jpg.]
[After the second goal, glaring at the defense, King God Ju Ji-tae.]
[Korea’s true form seems to be Ju Ji-tae.]
[Seriously, if there’s no Ju Ji, he’s not a man, lol.]
[Look at that intense gaze, damn, you can feel the energy.]
[Analyzing Cho Jae-shin’s conversation with lip reading enlarged.]
“What are you aiming for, what’s with the stern look? Unbelievable.”
For Ju Ji-tae, who had been through all sorts of ups and downs, this situation was a first.
It would have been more familiar to receive criticism for losing a match, but to become the center of attention just with his expression, despite not even participating in the game.
“I was just on the bench, why is it like this…”
“It probably feels like your absence is that noticeable.”
For some reason, Ju Ji-tae’s expression became subtle on his itching chest.
“Hey, why is your expression like that?”
“Expression? What about my expression?”
“It’s a damn unpleasant expression, isn’t it? Something… like embarrassment?”
Embarrassed?
“Me?”
“What’s wrong? Are you really embarrassed? No, where is the embarrassment? Is it because people are complaining about your absence? Or because they’re singling you out even though you didn’t play?”
…That’s right.
After making his debut in the pros, this kind of praise and attention were new.
He had received attention before, but it was always negative, unfavorable attention.
After the funeral of Cho Ye-shin, he left Korea as if escaping and headed to Europe.
All he knew was kicking a ball, playing, and making his debut in the pros, but that was just it. It was a life no different from a ship without direction, aimlessly floating on the water.
The void that couldn’t be filled was replaced by indulgence and pleasure, women and show-offs.
Who would like a player who leads a dissolute life right after debuting as a pro?
Ju Ji-tae’s pro career was always adorned with criticism and mockery, and,
“My absence… They say it can’t happen without me…”
So, for the first time, Ju Ji-tae melted away with a sense of approval.
“Hey, look at this. See? It can’t happen without me.”
“Why is this guy like this? Hey, pull yourself together.”
At Cho Jae-shin’s words, Ju Ji-tae blinked.
“…What’s with the sudden look? What’s going on again?”
“That’s why. That’s why.”
“…? What??”
“You wore the model student mask for this.”
“What the hell is this guy talking about? Is he really crazy?”
“I’ve made up my mind. I have a goal now.”
Joo Ji-tae’s demeanor, as if he could only hear himself speak, left Jo Jae-shin bewildered.
Why is he acting like this?
“Hey, Ji-tae. If you’re gonna go crazy, at least tell me how to get panty pictures and go crazy.”
“Sure. Aim for panty pictures… huh?”
“I knew it. You pervert. Finally showing your true colors!”
