34 – Question
034
Now, South Korea is evaluated as a regional powerhouse, having won the Asian Cup and confidently advanced to the Round of 16 after defeating Argentina in the group stage. However, it was different in the first round.
In the first round, if one were to describe today’s South Korea in one word, it would be a complete disaster.
Eliminated in the Asian Cup semifinals against Japan, barely making it to the World Cup, and showcasing an unconventional performance from the group stage, not even finishing last… It was chaotic.
At that time, Ju Ji-tae, who had been called up from the U-17 to the U-19 national team, still vividly remembered how chaotic the U-20 national team just above them was.
Football fans exploded, public opinion was heated, and even the Korea Football Association, which had been strategically nurturing young talent through the ‘Dream Project’ for ten years, from the director to the coaches, faced a massive failure.
Coach Jang Ki-seok couldn’t make a comeback in the football world afterward, and KFA executives faced such severe consequences that it was almost like shedding clothes. It was an incident that caused a tremendous backlash in Korean football.
For a while, it was treated as a dark history of Korean football, to the point where everyone could dismiss it, but time heals. When Ju Ji-tae returned from the European league to the domestic league, there were quite a few reports, analyses, and columns circulating about this incident.
In summary, if the starting point of the incident was the Asian Cup, the trigger for the explosion was the World Cup… precisely, the defense. The defense, which was already shaky against Asian teams, collapsed under public criticism during the World Cup, leading to a mental breakdown.
If you wonder why such thoughts come to mind now—
“Oh, I shouldn’t have been pointed out as a scapegoat for no reason!”
From Noble mtl dot com
It’s all because of the insane performance of the two crazy center-backs, showcasing their mind-boggling skills in real-time.
Back then, I thought, ‘They’re just picking someone as the culprit again in the name of finding the real criminal.’ But now, it turns out the culprit was right.
Already for the umpteenth time, watching Minjin hesitate once again, thanks to Andrew MacNeil’s cunning distance control, giving away a golden opportunity.
Just a moment ago, he rushed in recklessly, yielding space, and now he clings too tightly to the gap, offering a chance for a shot.
Fortunately, the coach, recognizing the collapsed defense, had narrowed the lines, ensuring proper support from the midfield.
As Andrew MacNeil, aiming to shoot, faced pressure, he calmly connected with a pass.
Meanwhile, a clever pass towards Robert Nosenbria, infiltrating precisely into the penalty box.
It was a perfectly timed and executed pass, but the ball didn’t reach Robert’s foot.
Again, this time too.
“Nice cut!”
“Well done, Jitae!”
Jutae, leisurely intercepting the ball in the middle as if popping out of an empty space, once again thwarted England’s chance.
“This time too! Jitae does it again! Who is this player?! What on earth is he doing?!”
“Well… I’ve lost count of how many times it’s been. South Korea, from the beginning, seems to be offering many chances with a shaky defense, right? I recall at least three moments that seemed dangerous, but they all passed lightly! Jitae, you’re truly remarkable!”
“Incredible foresight. Just… watching the game with a different perspective, this player. It seems like he sees a step ahead of others. What can I say… this might sound strange, but it feels like watching a veteran player who has experienced everything in kids’ games.”
The English players were also feeling a similar vibe, just like the commentator said.
“Oh no, it’s him again.”
“How on earth…? It’s like he knows everything I’m going to do.”
With good condition, well-prepared strategies, and even a positive momentum, in situations where there should be no excuses, repeatedly, overwhelmingly blocked. Naturally, a single thought tends to arise.
“No. I can’t lose to him.”
“No chance… No, I’ll be blocked by him again. To the other side…”
As with the Minjin-Gyunho duo, the English players also felt a ‘wall’ when facing Jitae.
And this led to a collapse in their gameplay.
At some point, the English players’ play became excessively stable.
Even in situations where a good opportunity would arise if they passed or broke through, they hesitated, fearing the worst, resulting in a phenomenon where they denied opportunities themselves.
The game itself still seemed to be under England’s control, even more stably so. But a content smile appeared on Jitae’s face.
“I’ve overcome it.”
I keenly sensed the momentum that had been surging in England finally breaking.
Overwhelmed by the intimidation of one player, the rest started avoiding him, and what was initially perceived as a stable play turned into a passive one.
Now, all that’s left is to shift that momentum in our favor.
At that moment, Alan Brosong’s gaze shifted towards Andrew MacNeil.
Leaning body, shifting center of gravity, and even the subtle movements of muscles.
Intuition gathered in a shout.
“I’m passing to that guy.”
Joo Ji-tae sprinted towards Andrew MacNeil, thinking, ‘It’s so easy. Why don’t others know this if they just concentrate a bit?’
“Go up!!”
Andrew MacNeil, who was about to receive the pass, was startled by the loud shout coming from right behind him.
It wasn’t just because of the ringing in his ears.
‘Surely, it wasn’t there!’
Just a moment ago, when he habitually looked around before receiving the pass, there was nothing, but suddenly, someone was right behind him, giving him chills. And that brief pause was like an easy prey presenting its neck to the hunter.
Reacting to the force from behind, Andrew MacNeil instinctively leaned forward.
It was a simple but effective competition, using the weight of the sturdy body, but this time, the opponent was worse.
‘Huh…?’
At the moment he tried to lean his body forward, the pushing force disappeared in an instant, and Andrew MacNeil naturally stumbled.
So effortlessly and in such a fleeting moment that it seemed to others as if he had tripped while trying to receive the pass.
“Ah~ Kimo-ddi~”
At that moment, accompanied by a strange shout that evoked anger, Andrew MacNeil looked at the back of the guy passing by.
‘…Can’t win. That guy… can’t be penetrated.’
***
Despite having a British-sounding name, Robert Norsumbria, a typical playmaker style liked more in Spain than in England, and Dwight Charlton, excessively English and rough but active and defensively strong, an extreme duo of midfielders, harmonized entirely thanks to Alan Brosong.
With two out of three midfielders being so extreme, inevitably, the remaining one had to be the bridge between them, the team’s lubricant.
Alan Brosong was precisely fulfilling that role.
With reasonably good attacking abilities and reasonably good defensive skills, the versatile Alan Brosong, also known as ‘Park to Park,’ tirelessly shuttled between the opponent’s penalty box and our penalty box, assisting the two midfielders.
As part of that, he now formed the primary defensive line as soon as Robert Norsumbria’s pass was intercepted.
‘That guy really stood out, didn’t he?’
The opponent is a center back.
Although I had heard about a guy who frequently emerges on the topic of center backs, I couldn’t believe it.
Even if it’s a defender showing off plays, dribbling out, against a country like Vietnam, it’s hard to believe a center back would exhibit such plays against England.
“His skills are undeniable, but that’s limited to defense!”
Among Korea’s defensive players showing a play with a loose mental state from the beginning, the only one filling not only his share but also the lacking part, is making even Alan Brochungsong marvel.
Despite numerous opportunities, Korea has held on without conceding a goal, solely due to the abilities of one player. It’s not an exaggeration to say that, looking at the performance so far, whether winning or losing, he might not receive the title of the game’s MVP. But no matter how you look at it, this is different.
“He’s really bold, even in boasting.”
How dare a center back come out dribbling?
And that too, up to the halfway line.
Even when defending, he’s definitely faster than most wingers. He easily sidesteps Robert Nsombria, who tries to block him, with just a run after beating him, and his speed is extraordinary, but,
“You’ve gone too far!”
In the opponent’s area, it’s only natural to be robbed if he kicks the ball so far! Alan Brochungsong had even thought about connecting a counterattack after the guy received the long ball. He’s a player who, even if he defends alone, is not an exaggeration, but now that he’s out, it’s a chance to score a preemptive goal.
Just pass the ball straight to Andrew as soon as you catch it… but that didn’t happen.
“Faster, faster!?”
Like a booster, the guy, who accelerated, caught the ball at an even faster speed, turned around, and passed by. Even seeing it up close, Alan Brochungsong couldn’t believe the smooth turn and forgot about the situation, mouth hanging open.
And for a moment, everyone had the same question.
Why on earth is a center back playing with that speed and dribbling skill!?
