67 – The True Youngest Scorer
067
In political jargon, there’s a term commonly used: the ‘honeymoon period.’
Derived from the U.S. political sphere’s ‘honeymoon period,’ it’s a custom to refrain from criticism and rebuke in the early days of an administration, akin to the leniency offered to newlyweds.
Typically, for the first 100 days of an administration, the media tends to tread lightly, but as is the case with customs, they’re not always adhered to.
Football operates similarly.
In football, when a new coach takes over, there’s a ‘honeymoon period’ where the media tends to be positive, and players, eager to impress the new coach, perform with enthusiasm.
Indeed, there’s a tendency for the team’s performance to notably improve in the first three games after a new coach takes charge, to the extent that there’s a joking suggestion to change the coach every three games.
And for South Korea’s new coach, Marco Del Neri, this Syria match marked exactly the end of the third game.
In football terms, the ‘honeymoon period’ is over.
From Noble mtl dot com
Of course, just as most newlyweds don’t immediately shift into battle mode after their honeymoon ends.
‘Radically Changed National Team! Three Positive Aspects Shown Under Coach Marco’s Regime’
“‘Exemplary New Structure’ – Balancing from players in their teens to their thirties, a well-rounded Korea”
In this Syria match, the promised ‘proactive game’ under Coach Marco was evident, leading to a resounding victory, and the appearance of a prodigious young player that any football fan would enthusiastically embrace.
Furthermore, with another prodigious young player poised to step into the next match, FC Korea was united and content, a rare occurrence.
[Excited for the next match lol]
Well, count me in lol
—Big things are coming!!
—Jujitae Punch!! Jujitae Punch!! Jujitae Punch!! Jujitae Punch!!
—Ah, haha, they say a player from the Bundesliga debut season got 3 Man of the Match awards in 4 games.
[Shall we take a dazzling look at Jujitae before our game starts?]
(Jujitae gif) Chu-rup… so dazzling…
—This guy is at it again;
—Get a grip, you idiot.
—What’s up with Jujitae Bants Thief? What’s he up to these days? Camping in the forum? Damn.
—Enough with the nonsense!!
—Feels like going out for lunch!! Feels like going out for lunch!! Feels like going out for lunch!!
* * *
Before the game started, Jujitae went into image training, as usual.
But today was different from usual.
While normally it would be image training for the game, visualizing how the match would unfold, how the opponent would play, and his own movements, today it was about,
‘First goal goes in… then the second goal… after putting in the third goal…’
It was image training on how to celebrate after scoring and how to make it look even cooler.
That’s right.
Jujitae was already assuming he would score a goal and was contemplating what kind of celebration he should unfold.
In reality, scoring a goal isn’t something you can just decide to do.
Of course, historically there have been a few players who could do that, but Jujitae is, after all, a defender. A center-back, to be precise.
Except for the goalkeeper, the furthest position from the opponent’s goal among field players.
Full-backs might join the attack and go all the way to the opponent’s end, but even if a center-back plays exceptionally well, they’re usually near the halfway line.
Scoring a goal requires a shot, and a shot ultimately needs to be close to the opponent’s goal. No matter how much of a football genius you are, how likely is it that a shot from near the halfway line will go in?
But if the opponent is Indonesia, it’s different.
A team expected to concede a lot of goals. An opponent you can trap and beat.
Trapping and beating means pulling the line up, and that means the center-back also gets closer to the opponent’s goal.
‘Alright. Today, I shouldn’t hesitate to take shots.’
After finishing the image training, Jujitae checked his phone one last time.
There was a text from Chaeyeon.
> Yeojini: (Video)
‘A video?’
Ugh, this sister.
What’s with her again before the game?
Ju Ji-tae awkwardly but contentedly smiles—
“Hey, damn. I’m gonna use the bathroom.”
“Why go that far just to show off?”
“It might take a while because it’s a big one, so let me know if you find me.”
He headed to the restroom.
Today, I need to warm up a bit before the game starts.
As he sits on the toilet with the cover down, he chuckles while confirming the video—
[Three bears~]
[Hahaha~!]
[Wow, Ju Ji-tae, that’s awesome!]
“….”
It was a cheer video.
‘1’ disappears in an instant.
The eagerly awaited message from Chae Ye-jin pours in.
> Yejini: ㅎ
> Yejini: I saw the fuss about how cute the goddess is, so I took a look. She’s really cute, huh?
> Yejini: Did you know our Jitae could do something like this?
“Ha….”
Ju Ji-tae’s fingers quickly race across the keypad.
> Yejini: Aing~ It’s so scary~
> Yejini: Hing~ Will you keep pounding me until Yejini faints?
> I really won’t watch this time.
“…Apron?”
Bare Skin
Yejini: Hahaha
Yejini: Yes~ I’ll be waiting in just an apron~
Yejini: I miss you, Yejini’s master, so please come quickly~
That could be… good…
***
Indonesia, a country composed of more than 17,500 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, Borneo, and New Guinea, is the world’s largest archipelagic nation. It ranks 14th in the world in terms of land area, fifth in Asia after China, India, Kazakhstan, and Saudi Arabia.
With a population of nearly 280 million people, Indonesia is the world’s fourth-most populous country, and it’s also the largest Muslim-majority nation on the planet.
With such a massive population, it boasted a significant economic footprint. As the only Southeast Asian nation with a nominal GDP exceeding one trillion dollars, Indonesia ranked 14th in the world, and it was seventh globally in terms of GDP (PPP), following closely behind China, India, and Japan. It proudly exhibited its domestic market potential.
Of course, on a per capita GDP basis, it pales in comparison due to its large population. However, just like similar nations such as China and India, such “humble facts” lose their significance in the radiant achievements of being the only G20 member in Southeast Asia.
“Let’s kick out those who just fool around!!”
“Those guys who laugh after losing a game should be sentenced to death.”
“What kind of national team is that? I don’t sense a trace of patriotism from these guys who are supposed to represent the country!”
But such nationalistic fervor offered no assistance when faced with the stern reality of sports.
Before facing South Korea, Indonesia held an evaluation match against Japan and suffered a 3-0 defeat. Nonetheless, the atmosphere wasn’t as negative as expected. It wasn’t unreasonable given that Indonesia’s national team, often marginalized even within Asia, had a chance to challenge Japan, which was considered Asia’s best in football.
The players didn’t come with the intention of winning the evaluation matches against East Asian nations. Instead, it was a chance to gain experience and, at the same time, embark on an overseas journey.
Or to be honest, they were simply here to have fun in South Korea and Japan.
The actions of these players quickly spread through their own SNS accounts, and they were widely criticized for their carefree behavior. After being thoroughly defeated by Japan, the sight of them laughing heartily was enough to ignite the anger of the Indonesian people.
As Ferguson said, SNS was indeed a waste of life.
And it was in this charged atmosphere that the match with the Indonesian national team was set to begin.
“Ugh… why does the atmosphere have to be like this for the game.”
“Look at their eyes. They’re filled with venom.”
Despite being a relaxed Indonesian national team, each of them displayed unwavering determination in the face of the national condemnation pouring in. As a result, Coach Mario’s expression turned grim.
“I wanted it to be easy, but it looks like it won’t go as planned. Everyone, be careful not to get injured.”
Even with such a surge of determination, the absolute skill gap meant they wouldn’t win, but the real concern was injuries. If a significant injury occurred in an attempt to defeat Indonesia, it would be akin to shooting themselves in the foot.
And so, the game began.
Indonesia aggressively attacked from the start.
“They’re coming. Play it cool and defend.”
Their determined charge was quite fierce, but—
“…Huh? These guys are terrible at a showdown, aren’t they?”
“Clear. Just push through with your body!”
“Be careful on the side! Still, because of their small build, they’re agile, so let’s be a bit cautious.”
From Noble mtl dot com
With a significant difference in skill and physique from the start, the situation posed no real threat.
“Ugh, tsk tsk.”
Watching from behind, Ju Ji-tae sighed.
“They’re trying hard, really. Poor things.”
“Youngest! Head over that way!”
This is why people shouldn’t be too kind.
Muttering to himself, Ju Ji-tae, like a monkey, shoved away the Indonesian forward clinging to him with one arm.
“Hat!”
Despite the Indonesian striker’s efforts to bite and dive inside, Ju Ji-tae, with his long arms, easily pushed him away, exuding a sense of ease.
With a height difference of at least 10 cm and Ju Ji-tae’s adept use of his hands, the pressuring Indonesian attacker seemed like a fly stuck to a spider’s web.
“Iik…!!”
Unable to bear the pitiful sight, Ju Ji-tae decided to show mercy to the Indonesian players.
“Yeah. What did these guys do wrong? Let’s just let them score three goals cleanly.”
Indeed, I’m too kind.
With self-praise, Ju Ji-tae lightly pushed away the annoying Indonesian player who was sticking to him like a monkey. The Indonesian player’s face twisted in indescribable self-disgust after hitting the light shoulder pat, but for Ju Ji-tae, who was already moving away with his long legs, it wasn’t worth noticing.
“Ju Ji-tae! He’s fast! Fast, he’s fast! Agi Yan Cheliri Pari is sticking to him, but— he bounces him off! The referee judges it as fair competition and continues the game! Wow, this player is like a tank!”
“Accurate pass towards the vacant space on the side! Kim Hyo-seop continues! Fast forward! Will he break through? Cross! Kim Hyo-seop sends it up— Ju Ji-tae! A splendid header goal by Ju Ji-tae!”
After passing the ball, instead of returning to his position, Ju Ji-tae charged towards the Indonesian goal, intercepting the incoming cross and successfully scoring a header goal.
“Wow~! Following the last game, in his debut match, a debut goal explodes! The protagonist of the opening goal is Ju Ji-tae! Ju Ji-tap!”
“Uh… If this continues… Could it be… Is the youngest record changing?”
“Oh! That’s right! Ju Ji-tae’s birthday is a week late!! This means that he updates the record set by Cho Jae-sin, who set the youngest scoring record in just three days!”
It was the moment when the record of the youngest goal scorer was broken.
At that moment, the camera caught Cho Jae-sin with a regretful expression.
“For Cho Jae-sin, it’s a bit disappointing, but it’s okay! Cho Jae-sin doesn’t leave behind a debut multi-goal record and the youngest multi-goal record, right!”
“That’s right! It’s so difficult to record a multi-goal in the debut game. Moreover, it’s the youngest multi-goal in the national team. It won’t be broken for the next 30 years, Cho Jae-sin!”
The commentator, consoling unheard words—
“Uh… What’s this? Ju Ji-tae, putting the ball in from that far away…? Wow… What is this… How many meters is it? It seems to be over 35 meters…”
“This player’s ankle strength is incredible! It’s like a cannonball, a cannonball!”
“Wait… if this continues, will we once again break the record for the youngest national team player with a multi-goal performance?”
“Oh… right.”
Once again, the camera focused on Cho Jaeshin.
Cho Jaeshin was smiling wistfully.
