5 – Among Ourselves
From Noble mtl dot com
005
“National team enters final preparations for the U-20 Asian Cup and World Cup ahead.”
“The Korea Football Association is entering its final preparations for next year.
The U-20 national team is gearing up for the 2031 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-20 Asian Cup in Indonesia in March, followed by the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Japan in May, and the schedule leading up to the 2032 Olympics the following year.
There is particularly keen interest in the U-20 national team this time, as it marks the 10th anniversary of the Korea Football Association’s ‘Dream Project,’ which began with the goal of nurturing youth players.
As the 10-year achievements of the ambitious long-term ‘Dream Project’ for youth development by the association will be determined next year, there is a great deal of attention from many stakeholders. This time, some unique players have appeared on the roster.
Namely, Cho Jae-shin and Ju Ji-tae.
Based on their outstanding performance in the U-17 national team, these two players, now just 17 years old, have been called up to the U-20 national team.
As the final roster confirmation approaches, testing many players for selection, criticism arises from some quarters questioning the inclusion of such young players. Meanwhile, the U-20 national team is preparing for the match against Cameroon after the grand stage of the King’s Cup final…”
After the Wang Jung Wang Jeon final stage, Ju Ji-tae and Cho Jae-shin received a call from Jang Ki-seok.
“Hey, Ju. Seems like we’ve been called up to the U-20 national team.”
“….”
“Damn, this is awesome. Looks like we’re doing pretty well. Right?”
“Hey, Ju Ji-tae. What’s going on with this kid?”
Even though he led Hojin High School to victory with dazzling performances, Ju Ji-tae’s call-up to the under-20 national team was unexpected.
It was understandable, considering the call-up came well after the first round, and it was two years after the Asian Cup and World Cup.
“What’s this? Why the change? We won the championship in the first round with my and Jo Jae-sin’s performances. We won the same way, so why wasn’t there a call-up in the first round?”
Ju Ji-tae was more concerned about the changing future than excited about the call-up.
Hojin High School won the championship in both rounds with the duo’s outstanding performance. But why was the under-20 national team, which would be called up in two years, already being mentioned in the first round?
The only difference from the first round was the position.
“Oh, don’t tell me I’m moving to center-back?”
At the time of Ju Ji-tae’s inclusion in the under-20 national team in the first round, someone else was already in charge of the team, so he never played under Coach Jang Ki-seok.
However, Ju Ji-tae remembered Coach Jang Ki-seok.
Firstly, when he played for the under-17 national team, he couldn’t ignore the under-20 national team coach who had the authority to decide the call-up. But the most significant reason was the event that would happen next year.
“That gentleman is definitely going to get beaten by Japan in the Asian Cup next year.”
The under-20 national team, a product of the youth development policy and Dream Project promoted so proudly by the KFA, suffered a humiliating defeat to Japan in the U-20 Asian Cup quarterfinals, known as the ‘Pakansari Shock.’
If that was all, it could have ended as a mere mishap, but the crucial factor was the FIFA U-20 World Cup held in Japan just two months later.
Although they didn’t perform as expected in the Asian Cup, the team had shown promise before facing Japan. Moreover, Coach Jang Ki-seok was a talented and passionate young coach groomed strategically by the KFA.
Thus, the KFA decided to give Coach Jang Ki-seok another chance, saying, “We can’t change the coach two months before the World Cup.”
However, despite Coach Jang’s talent and passion, he couldn’t stabilize the team both internally and externally.
Two months later, at the U-20 World Cup in Japan, the Jang Ki-seok-led team exposed severe defensive vulnerabilities, resulting in a dismal exit from the group stage.
At the time, spectators were quick to blame Coach Jang, but looking back now…
“It wasn’t Coach Jang’s problem, but the players who couldn’t recover from the public backlash.”
Especially the defense.
Ju Ji-tae vividly remembered that time, as it was a significant event that shook the foundation of Korean youth soccer policy.
He realized why Coach Jang selected them.
Why they were chosen for the under-20 national team much earlier than in the first round.
“The weakness of Korean youth now is defense and mentality.”
And Ju Ji-tae and Jo Jae-sin were players who could address both weaknesses.
However, whether Coach Jang truly recognized that the team’s weakness was mentality, and whether he picked the two youngest players to overcome that weakness, Ju Ji-tae couldn’t be sure.
Ju Ji-tae and Jo Jae-shin are inherently mentally tough, and Ju Ji-tae, with over 16 years of professional experience, is a seasoned veteran who has been through thick and thin.
But this is not something that is outwardly apparent.
Especially, Ju Ji-tae’s regression is a part that no one else can know except himself.
‘If Manager Jang Ki-seok understood this and called him up, he must be a truly talented coach. Or maybe…’
I’ll just carry the team.
“…Why is this guy laughing and acting up alone again?”
* * *
A 17-year-old player, just 17 years old, joining the national team with an average age over 19, and that too, two of them, has been quite a topic of discussion at least in the online world.
[What can we expect from the under-20 team this time?]
—They were heavily promoted by the KFA; how are these kids?
ㄴHuh? They seem pretty good?
ㄴOh Chang-gi and Go Hyeon-se are doing well.
[But what about the two high schoolers?]
—Jo Jae-shin and Ju Ji-tae? They’re really 17, from Hojin High School?
ㄴYes.
ㄴThese are the guys who dominated the high school league this time.
ㄴThey were good even in the under-17s.
ㄴThey’re only 17, is that right?
[Official Statement: The youngest players beat all the seniors in the practice matches.]
—My friend’s friend is connected, and apparently, the two youngest beat all the seniors in the practice matches.
ㄴIf your friend’s friend is a connection, my friend’s friend’s friend is the president of the KFA, damn it, hahaha.
ㄴYeah, did you hire another comment bot? It won’t fool us anymore.
Ju Ji-tae and Jo Jae-shin may have dominated the high school league, but high school league is just for those who watch.
To FC Korea, a casual soccer fan eagerly waiting for national team games, Ju Ji-tae and Jo Jae-shin were ‘unknown’ players.
And Jo Yeosin didn’t like that at all.
“Ik…! You’re all soccer novices!”
They were like annoying little brothers in many ways, but still, they were her little brothers.
Even if she curses them, it should be her doing it; she doesn’t want to hear others cursing them.
Jo Yeosin immediately searched the gallery and posted pictures of Ju Ji-tae and Jo Jae-shin on her Instagram.
Post 184 Followers 94,000 Following 11
Even though he’s just in middle school, his exceptional looks already shine brightly. Cho Yeoshin boasts a celebrity status with a following close to 100,000.
As soon as the post goes up, comments pour in, and simultaneously, Cho Yeoshin’s fingers dance on the smartphone screen as if they have a life of their own.
—”Oh, a goddess among us~”
ㄴYes! Oppas, please cheer for us! 😀
—”Ji-tae oppa, Jae-shin oppa, fighting~~”
ㄴThank you, Sooyoung! See you at school! 🙂
—”So, what’s the deal between you guys?”
ㄴThey’re my oppas! 🙂
—”Wow… How is this a middle schooler? Kids these days grow up way too fast;”
ㄴYeah? I don’t understand what you meanㅜㅜ
—”Putting up your real name and photo, bold move for a kid;; You’re out, byeㅋ”
ㄴI don’t understand what you’re sayingㅜㅜ Don’t exclude me!
—”Next generation Korean beauty Cho Yeoshin, fighting! Next generation hope of Korean soccer, Ji-tae and Jae-shin, fighting!”
ㄴThank youㅎㅎ but my name has changed;
After a storm of comments passes by, a sense of calm settles in.
Yet, Cho Yeoshin remains tense. The real deal starts now.
Setting down the phone used for outdoor purposes, Cho Yeoshin grabs the burner phone by their side.
Ah, this chilling yet substantial sensation. Only two more hours.
It’s time for “Outlaw” Jane Doe to return.
Activating the VPN.
Living life like a nomadic outlaw, Jane Doe moves residences as if changing clothes. Today’s residence for Jane Doe is in Argentina. Of course, tomorrow will be in another country. That’s the life of an outlaw.
[Clueless soccer idiots are annoying again]
—”Don’t know that Ji-tae and Jae-shin are freaking amazing? Just trust and support these guys, if you don’t know, keep your mouth shut and watch.”
ㄴㅇㅇ : Here comes this guy againㅋㅋ
ㄴㅇㅇ : Yesterday it was Congo, today it’s Argentina?
ㄴSeoulHwaiting : Who’s this person?
ㄴNextDoorPeekingPanties : The pride of the Korean soccer board, Ji-tae the thief. Why comment on something you don’t know?
* * *
From Noble mtl dot com
After training, during the break.
Jo Jaesin, who was browsing on his phone, handed it over.
“Hey. Your stalker has shown up again here.”
“Stalker? Who the hell is this guy?”
“What? Don’t you know? He’s the villain who keeps promoting you on the national team gallery.”
“Is the nickname Juji Taebans Thief? What’s this?”
Juji Taebans, who was quietly reading comments, wrote something and handed the phone back.
[Congrats, football idiots. You’re screwed again.]
—Don’t know if Juji Taebans is good at anything? Just trust these guys, and if you don’t know, shut your mouth and watch.
ㄴㅇㅇ: This guy’s here againㅋㅋ
ㄴJuji Taebans Thief: What, you retard?
ㄴㅇㅇ: Yesterday, it was Congo, and today it’s Argentina.
ㄴJuji Taebans Thief: Al-banoㅋ
ㄴSeoulHwaiting: Who is this?
ㄴJuji Taebans Thief: Damn, the guy from the national team gallery doesn’t know me?
ㄴHeyEungNextDoorPanties: Why bother with football if you don’t know the pride of the national team gallery, Juji Taebans Thief?
ㄴJuji Taebans Thief: Seriouslyㅋㅋ Why am I here if you don’t know me?
ㄴHeyEungNextDoorPanties: Is it a girl?
“…Damn crazy, who the hell is this womanizer.”
While Jo Jaesin muttered, replies appeared.
ㄴHeyEungNextDoorPanties: Is it a girl?
ㄴJuji Taebans Thief: ㅇ
Tap, tap.
ㄴHeyEungNextDoorPanties: Is it a girl?
ㄴJuji Taebans Thief: ㅇ
ㄴHeyEungNextDoorPanties: Is she pretty?
A notification sound that a reply was posted, and Jo Jaesin’s fingers moved like lightning.
ㄴHeyEungNextDoorPanties: Is it a girl?
ㄴJuji Taebans Thief: ㅇ
“Neighbor’s Panties Peekaboo: Beauty?”
“Booty Bandit Juji: Nope.”
“Tsk.”
