All Football Talents Are Mine Chapter 249

249. The key to becoming the ultimate soccer player (2)

was conditioning and maintaining a sense of the game.

The national team began training with a focus on that, and in the meantime, Heo Seong-soo and the coaching staff constantly analyzed Spain’s game videos and came up with customized tactics.

But even after looking at it again and again, there was no clear answer.

Finally, that night.

Heo Seong-su eventually called Ho-young to his room.

The reason was definitely tactics.

It was a big decision for Heo Seong-su, who rarely exchanges tactical discussions with players.

This is because it was an issue that could have shaken his authority as a director.

But now it is the semifinals.

There was no time to worry about such things.

Moreover, there was nothing bad about referring to Hoyoung’s thoughts.

The story of how his tactics brought down Barcelona was so famous.

Heo Seong-su had unexpected expectations.

“I think so. “Spain will definitely play Beautiful Soccer.”

Beautiful soccer.

It is another name for the tiki-taka tactic currently used by Spain, meaning that they play such beautiful and amazing soccer.

“So, director, have you decided what response tactics to use?”

“I plan to play practical soccer.”

“I think it’s a good choice.”

The World Cup in South Africa could end with just one word.

Real soccer.

A counterattack tactic based on a solid and thorough defense.

Most teams participating in the World Cup were using that tactic.

It was a tactic that followed the famous saying, ‘In soccer, you have to be able to win even if it’s ugly, and an honorable loss is just an excuse for the loser.’

but.

“My thoughts are a little different. “There are limits to counter attacks based on defense.”

“In what way?”

“It is clear that practical soccer is a trend. But that doesn’t mean it’s the best way. They may be able to annoy Spain, but they are not enough to defeat them. “Brazil played against Spain with extreme defense and sharp counterattacks, while the Netherlands played against Spain with strong defense and pressure and quick counterattacks.”

“It did.”

“But in the end it was a crushing defeat. “Even though we built such a strong defense.”

Even though Tiki Taka’s counterpart method was developed, Spain was still strong.

They are achieving good results in this tournament with 4 wins and 1 loss.

“Objectively, our defense is much weaker than Brazil and the Netherlands. Therefore, the tactic of counterattacking based on a strong defense does not work. “Spain has already grown tired of practical soccer.”

They were all correct.

The previous two teams also conceded goals to Spain, but there was no guarantee that Korea could stop their attack.

“But I think it could be possible if you join the defense?”

“That is one way, but I think Spain is on a different level from the teams we have faced so far. “In particular, we will have to give up the midfield at all costs.”

It was impossible for Hoyoung to face Xabi Alonso, Xavi Hernández, and Andrea Iniesta on his own.

But Heo Seong-su had a different idea.

“You haven’t tried it yet, have you?”

“I’ve been through a lot already. They were difficult players to play against even when I was at Real Madrid. In particular, Xavi and Iniesta are currently at their peak. If we really want to win, we’ll have to find another way. “Tactics that can embarrass the opponent.”

“I know what you mean. But there has to be a way.”

“It’s a counter-fire.”

“Fire back?”

“yes. You’re going to set it on fire. “It’s also a major fire.”

If it was a variable, that was the only way.

July 6th.

Cape Town, the capital of South Africa.

The soccer stadium located here can accommodate about 70,000 people and was the location where the first semifinal match was held today.

The time is 7:30 pm.

With about an hour left before the game starts, the starting lineups for both teams have been revealed.

Soon, when the phrase ‘No.10 WOO’ appeared on the large electronic display board, the audience erupted in cheers that seemed to float away.

That’s right, Hoyoung’s current World Cup scoring record is 11 goals.

I couldn’t help but be enthusiastic about him.

If two goals are added here, it will equal the record of 13 goals set by France’s Juste Fontaine, the ‘highest score in one tournament’.

Furthermore, if he scores two more goals, he will equal Brazil’s Ronaldo’s World Cup record of 15 goals.

However, as if they would not tolerate that easily, Spain has built an elite lineup.

[Spain starting list]

Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas (29, captain)

Defender: Juan Capdevila (32) Gerard Pique (23) Carles Puyol (32) Sergio Ramos (24)

Midfielder: Busquets (21) Xavi Hernández (30) Xabi Alonso (28) Iniesta (26) Pedro (22)

Attacker: David Villa (28)

The formation is 4-2-3-1.

Except for left fullback Capdevila and top hitter David Villa, all of them belonged to Real Madrid and Barcelona.

The team color was clear and the teamwork was excellent.

[The key players are, of course, Iniesta and Xavi.]

[These are players that need no mention. In addition, we need to be careful about David Villa’s goal-scoring ability. A total of 12 shots were taken in this tournament, and 5 of them resulted in a successful score.]

Meanwhile, the flags of both teams were unfurled in the stadium.

It was then that 22 players emerged from the tunnel.

Spain wore red uniforms and South Korea wore white uniforms.

[The players finally entered. The weather is cool, so I think it would be the perfect environment for soccer.]

[That’s right. The altitude of the stadium is also 1405 meters, which is about 300 meters lower than Johannesburg. [It does not have a significant impact on the play.]

The national anthem that rang out in the stadium felt unusually long today.

As this happened, the tension gradually increased.

The 22 players who started as starters also looked nervous.

Tremendous pressure.

There were a lot of spectators in front of me, but nothing caught my eye.

All I had to do was calm my pounding heart and get my mind together.

And it exploded as they exchanged handshakes.

[Actually, as Woo Ho-young, I am close friends with all 11 members of the opposing team, so it must be a very strange feeling.]

[It has to be that way.]

If this game had been an evaluation match, we would have exchanged greetings with light jokes, but they only exchanged light handshakes and smiles. I just received it.

The game hasn’t even started yet, but the atmosphere is already tense.

There was a sense of solemnity in each of the players’ eyes.

It’s enough to make even those who see it sweat.

Do you advance to the finals or go to the 3rd and 4th place match?

It all depended on the next 90 minutes.

And for Hoyoung, it had a particularly special meaning.

‘Finally…’

The conditions for talent have changed.

It seemed that if the conditions were met, the talents of Iker Casillas and Iniesta could be coveted.

However, the conditions were quite strict and difficult.

In particular, in the case of Casillas, the unique talent of ‘reflexes’ was coveted, and the condition was ‘recording a goal scoring percentage of more than 50%’.

In other words, out of 4 shots, at least 2 had to result in a score.

However, there was no intention to save on shooting.

Because the most important thing was victory.

I just did my best as I always do.

It was around sunset when the players climbed onto the pitch.

And at 8:30, lights started flashing on the large electronic display board indicating the countdown.

It was at that time that the 70,000 spectators shouted in unison.

““Three! two! “Won!” “

Beep! ”

And so the semifinals between Korea and Spain began.

Spain had an overwhelming record against their opponents with 2 wins and 2 draws out of 4 games.

During the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, Korea won in a penalty shootout, but the penalty shootout was recorded as a draw.

[I hope our players win today. 1 win Just 1 win is enough. With that, we can advance to the finals.]

[We must go with a fighting spirit. You should never be discouraged just because your opponent is Spain. That is mental strength.]

But the gap between ideals and reality was bigger than I thought.

Spain, who took the lead, had the ball for five minutes.

Spain’s one-sided game continued.

[Kim Jung-hoo and Ki Sung-ryong, who play defensive midfielders, need to move consistently. We have a duty to clearly protect the four-back defense.]

[That’s right. We must not give Spain any openings. Looking at it now, it seems to be going in a similar way to the Netherlands game. Sooner or later, Xavi and Iniesta will definitely catch us off guard. We must continue to strengthen our defense.]

[Ah, Ki Sung-ryong is advancing. Putting pressure on Iniesta!]

Unlike his previous games, Ki Sung-ryong raised his line and showed active movement.

However, Xavi Hernández easily took off Ki Sung-ryong’s pressure and kept the ball safe.

Fortunately, the situation was not too disadvantageous thanks to the active participation of Hoyoung, who had significantly improved his control of the midfield.

However, as time passed, Spain’s attacks became more severe.

By increasing possession with short and accurate passes, they made the midfield their stage.

Busquets and Xabi Alonso built up the rear, and Xabi Hernández, who played as an attacking midfielder, distributed the ball to the left and right sides.

Iniesta and Pedro, deployed as left and right wingers, shook up the defensive line with their active movements.

David Villa, deployed as the top striker, made agile movements and prepared to receive a key pass.

Everything was happening smoothly.

On the other hand, South Korea was showing more and more instability as time went by.

The gap between Lee Hyeong-pyo, Kim Min-soo, Lee Jong-soo and Cha Doo-rim, who made up the back four defense line, gradually widened, and Park Ji-seok and Lee Cheong-ryong, who were deployed as left and right wingers, were unable to participate in the defense due to their back fighting.

[South Korea is showing a different side from other teams that have faced Spain so far. First of all, although they are playing defense, the overall line is high. And they are persistently encouraging back-fighting in the midfield. Are they perhaps considering a counterattack?]

[For that reason, the defense continues to show laxity. I think we need to focus more on defense. It’s not just Xavi and Iniesta who need to be careful. Xabi Alonso at the back also needs to be careful. If you’re not careful, the space behind you will end up all at once…]

It was that exact moment.

Cough!

As soon as commentator Cha Bum-gon finished speaking, Xabi Alonso’s pass rose into the air.

And at the same time, David Villa broke the offside line and penetrated into the back space.

It was an imminent situation.

Pow!

Fortunately, Jeong Seong-yong, who was near the penalty area, was able to jump out and hit the ball outside.

[Jeong Seong-yong hits it! Well done!]

Jeong Seong-yong’s ball hit fell at Lee Jong-su’s feet.

Korea’s defense was quite weak, but it was important to stop it anyway.

because.

“run!”