90 – Faker
090
As is the case with most neighboring countries, one cannot exactly say that the relationship between South Korea and Japan was great. However, it wasn’t entirely bad either. It was a subtle and complex relationship, unique to South Korea and Japan.
They exchanged insults towards each other, yet, at the same time, they held a deep fascination for each other. It could be described as a relationship of affectionate rivalry.
Being two nations genuinely interested in each other, what one side did often became a topic of discussion on the other side, just like now.
—Mr. Asian Kitaｷﾀ━━━(ﾟ∀ﾟ)━━━!!
—Korean guys look different from the face
—I really don’t want to hear unpleasant news from our neighboring country
—Why don’t we have players like that? Is it a DNA difference?
—Korea is progressing, but Japan is stagnating. Is this the power of the Yamato people that Netizens claim? wwwww
—Come to think of it, these kids were the Youth World Cup winners, and they’re only 18 years old… Korea’s future looks bright
—Why are Japanese people afraid of Vietnam’s development? Eungwoo-yeon, who Europe is paying attention to, is better than Ju Ji-tae and Jo Jae-shin
—Inferior Japanese people should accept Korean genes and work on racial improvement wwwwwww
—I’ve been watching soccer for a long time, but this generation of Korea seems the scariest. Even though non-standard players occasionally emerged in Korea, there was only one in a generation, but this time, there are two in the same generation… This might be a bit scary (smirk)
—I bet the Koreans will translate this again?
—Koreans, welcome 😀
The interest in the two main characters, Ju Ji-tae and Jo Jae-shin, who were gathering immense attention in Korea, was no less in Japan. On days when the two of them had matches, the Japanese community would also buzz with excitement.
And such fervent reactions from the neighboring country were just what the doctor ordered.
It was almost a given that posts with titles like “[Real-time Japanese Reactions.jpg]” would dominate the community in no time.
—ㅋㅋㅋㅋ The game hasn’t even started, and the reactions are already heated.
—Kya~ Truly the spirit of Kwanum!
—Just embrace your Korean honor;
—What’s with this obsession… if it’s this intense, aren’t they practically married?
—Who’s the husband?
—Of course, the Korean guy is the husbandㅋㅋㅋ It’s the drama of a stubborn rock climbing man and a tsundere sushi girl
—She said she didn’t like it with her mouth, but her body is honest, right? Just give in to your instincts, you dishonest woman
—Damn, what did I just witness?
—Just say you’re Japanese; don’t go around telling people you’re Korean.
—But how’s the team’s condition? Developing well, huh?ㅋㅋ
The soccer community, already in a festive mood day by day since the emergence of the highly touted Joo Ji-tae and Cho Jae-shin, was exploding with excitement as they approached the Munich derby.
Adding to the perpetual thrill was the lively response from the Japanese seasoning, creating a truly frenzied festival atmosphere.
However, this atmosphere didn’t last long.
[Is this for real?]
[The thrill of success in turning the tables is insaneㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Joo Ji-tae running aloneㅋㅋ Stop monopolizing the game!!]
[They’re done. Let’s go home.]
[Fake Munich trying to imitate the real Bayern—ridiculousㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Oh, Cho Jae-shin’s skills improved, right? Can’t do anything, huh?]
[Everyone, give up! From now on, it’s Manchester United’s territory!]
[An-gi-mo-ti An-gi-mo-ti An-gi-mo-ti An-gi-mo-ti An-gi-mo-ti An-gi-mo-ti]
[Na-rak Na-rak Na-rak Na-rak Na-rak Na-rak]
[F**k, it went downhill in just a momentㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
What was expected to be a celebration for everyone, the Munich derby, turned into a one-sided onslaught by Bayern Munich from the very beginning, leading to a portrait of despair.
[Joo Ji-tae is on fireㅋㅋ Look at him exuding charisma when trailingㅋㅋ]
[Uh? Is that the shape of his mouth?]
[Heuk! (Speechless) Is that mouth shape by any chance~~~?]
[Ah~ F**k, it’s out~]
[F**k-mouth Galleryㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Real-time analysis of Joo Ji-tae’s mouth shape to infer the conversation. Araboza]
[Kya~ A proud Korean, famous for his f**k-mouth! Just Jot-jitae!]
And then came the nerve-wracking clash between Joo Ji-tae and Heiner Rupert.
The innocent display by German commentators, unfamiliar with Korean, was a moment that caught the netizens off guard.
[What’s this? Why is the mood suddenly like this?]
[Kuku-rupong~!? A soccer player who gets stronger when cursed!?]
[The invigorated Joo Ji-taeㅋㅋ Heiner Rupert is getting playedㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[HeinerㅋㅋㅋㅋRupertㅋㅋㅋㅋ The tackle is explosiveㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋWowㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
From Noble mtl dot com
[What did I just witness?]
“[Expletive]ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Red card, seriouslyㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ”
[??? : Yes? Me? Should I go out?]
It was the moment a new meme was born.
* * *
Joo Ji-tae placed his hands on his hips and let out a deep sigh.
“Come on, cheer up. We’re still scoreless! Just hold on until the end of the first half, and we can counterattack in the second half! We have less than 10 minutes left, including added time, so let’s endure a little longer!”
Captain Daniel Rout tried to raise his voice, but it didn’t boost anyone’s spirits.
Having endured the entire first half like a dog getting beaten, Ji-tae had kept them scoreless thanks to his insane leaps.
Of course, it’s not like his teammates weren’t running hard. But in reality, no matter how hard they ran, giving their best didn’t always lead to good results. They ran only as hard as Ji-tae dictated against Bayern Munich’s insane tempo.
And Ji-tae couldn’t help but lament this reality.
“Sigh…”
No matter how veteran and experienced a player Ji-tae was, there were times when the wisdom of age crept in.
“Honestly, I can’t keep up because the skill levels don’t match.”
He couldn’t deny the old saying.
Indeed, people must play in the big leagues.
Ji-tae keenly felt the gap in quality with the opposing team, yet he still pondered ways to win.
Dribbling?
Well… his dribbling was undoubtedly destructive.
In his prime, Ji-tae, who wasn’t even a forward, was called the ‘Second Ronaldo’ for a reason. He was compared to the ‘fenómeno’ Ronaldo, considered the greatest striker in football history, who couldn’t be stopped.
Even in his short-lived glory, Ji-tae’s dribbling, dubbed a ‘god-like’ play, could arguably exert the most versatile power of this generation.
But at the same time, it took a toll on his body.
When a person abruptly stops after running at full speed, more than the combined weight and speed gets transmitted to the legs. And when frequent changes in direction are added to the mix, especially for someone with Ji-tae’s height of 186cm, it becomes an excessive play, not just because of an immature physique, but due to the inevitable strain on the human body structure.
The destructive dribble that could destroy a body was the cost of implementing impossible plays in reality that an ordinary person couldn’t even conceive of.
Of course, immediate physical damage wasn’t the issue.
In the first round, attempting an excessive dribble in every game like eating meals, Ji-tae would face rough, aggressive defense, but his body wouldn’t break down right away.
Therefore, he restrained himself and would attempt excessive dribbles when necessary.
“But why does this guy’s eyes look like that?”
Somehow, the glint in coach Heynckes Rupert’s eyes seemed very suspicious.
While the ball briefly ventured outside, Ju Ji-tae caught a glimpse of Heiner Rupert. It seemed like every time the ball circled near him, he would sprint towards it without hesitation.
“This is insane.”
Was the first-half defeat so deeply unsettling?
Or was it the recent keyboard battle… no, profanity battle?
Whatever it was, the intuition that comes from years of professional experience, the intuition only those who have suffered countless injuries can feel, was flashing a loud warning signal.
And simultaneously,
“I can use this.”
An wicked idea as well.
A sly smile spread across Ju Ji-tae’s face, and Jae-sin Cho, who had spotted him from afar, had a peculiar expression.
“Did you come up with another devilish idea?”
* * *
In the 38th minute of the first half, the game resumed with a goal kick for 1860 Munich, mentally and physically battered by Bayern Munich’s relentless onslaught.
Despite Ju Ji-tae’s frenzied efforts, they had barely managed to keep a clean sheet, but anyone watching could sense that holding on was only a matter of time. And once it started crumbling, it would collapse like a waterfall.
Everyone felt, ‘It’s about to happen…’ The moment when the first player would crumble.
“What!?”
Was it because they had pushed themselves too hard today?
The first to crumble was Ju Ji-tae, the player who had supported the team until now.
“Be careful!!”
Ju Ji-tae, receiving a short pass from the goalkeeper, seemed to lose strength in his legs, stumbling and falling over the ball.
As everyone was in shock, a player sprinted faster than anyone else.
‘This is the chance!’
It was Heiner Rupert.
Always sharp, constantly circling around Ju Ji-tae, Heiner Rupert sprinted faster than anyone else, reaching the ball before Ju Ji-tae could get up.
‘Don’t interfere!’
He could have reached for the ball between Ju Ji-tae’s legs, but even in his fallen state, Ju Ji-tae skillfully rolled the ball away, avoiding Heiner Rupert’s foot.
‘What! Ugh! Ugh… Give it to me!!!’
Failing three attempts to reach for the ball, Heiner Rupert’s gestures became desperate as 1860 Munich players approached.
And just as he stretched his leg in desperation, the ball slipped away between Ju Ji-tae’s legs, creating an opportunity for Heiner Rupert.
Thud!
The ball disappeared, and suddenly the face of Ju Ji-tae, who appeared out of nowhere, met the tip of my foot.
“Ahh!”
Ju Ji-tae, rolling around with his face covered,
Squeak—!!
The referee, running with his hand in the card pocket.
Heiner Rupert, who had been staring blankly at the yellow card raised high by the referee, suddenly met eyes with Ju Ji-tae, who was smiling through the fingers covering his face.
“Ahh! You bastard!!”
It was the moment the yellow card turned into a red card.
