069. First World Cup (2)
September 10, 2005.
With the commercialization of DMB phones, which allow you to watch TV on your cell phone, the same anchor’s voice was heard everywhere on the way to work today.
[yes. There is news that the U17 World Cup team, which departed for Peru early this morning after receiving a welcome farewell from residents of Miami, USA, has arrived in Peru, the land of the decisive battle. The national team pledged to take a new leap forward through solid preparation, saying there was still a week left until the first match against the United States.]
Despite the Youth World Cup, the word ‘World Cup’ once again ignited the hearts of the people.
Moreover, the victory in the last U16 Montague competition inflated the public’s expectations.
At that time, Chiclayo, Peru.
Korean players arrived at the base camp training site in Chiclayo, northwest Peru.
As soon as the national team unpacked at the hotel, they began training to adapt to the local environment at a nearby stadium.
I was worried because Peru is a country with many high mountains, but I didn’t have to worry because Chiclayo was a city less than 50 meters high.
“Concentration! The United States is considered the weakest country, but it is by no means an easy opponent. As I’ve said before, the midfield is very tight. “Then what are we?”
““It’s pressure.””
“That’s right.”
The players clearly showed signs of nervousness as their discipline tightened.
That’s because the U17 national team has traditionally been particularly weak in the World Cup, with poor results of 1 win and 2 losses in the last three friendly matches.
The biggest reason was Woo Ho-young.
Hoyoung participated in two of the last three evaluation matches, but was unable to perform properly due to jet lag or poor physical condition due to having to take a long flight from Brazil.
In other words, it was proven how much influence Hoyoung’s presence had on the team.
But this World Cup was different.
There was still a week left until the first round of the World Cup, and the plan was to strengthen the battle at the base camp and complete a strategy to advance to the quarterfinals.?
“We must win the game against the United States. “The second game is in Ivory Coast, and the opponent in the third game is Italy.”
Group C, comprised of the U.S., Korea, Italy and Côte d’Ivoire, was already showing signs of advancing to the quarterfinals, and the prevailing opinion was that Italy would advance to first place.
Therefore, Korea must win the first game to lay the foundation for advancing to second place.
“Hey, you guys. But don’t be afraid. “The U.S. team is also in poor condition, with 1 win and 4 losses in the last 5 games.”
The base camp set up in the middle of nowhere was covered with a tent so that it could not be seen from the outside.
Entry was prohibited not only to the general public but also to reporters.
However, Korean correspondents were allowed temporary access, and brief interviews were conducted so as not to interfere with training.
The first batter was manager Park Kyung-woon.
“I received a failing grade in the previous evaluation match, but I think I can get good results if I control my condition well.”
“Yes, thank you. “Then is it possible to interview Woo Ho-young?”
“Hoyoung! Hoyoung!!”
Immediately after, Woo Ho-young sat down, and the reporter poured out questions like a waterfall.
“Woo Ho-young. At the last Montague competition, you were pointed out that physical fighting was your weakness, right? Has that been improved somewhat? What do you think of this competition?”
“I am confident. “It was a short period of time, just 6 months, but I think I made enough improvements during that time.”
“haha. You have great confidence. “Then can we look forward to the first game against the United States next time?”
“I’ll show you.”
September 16th.
The tournament opened with a match between China and Costa Rica.
And the next day, September 17th.
It was 1 p.m., when the sun was setting in the sky.
As it was a competition that attracted a lot of public attention, MBS was dispatched to the site to broadcast live.
[Hello, viewers. This is the Elias Aguerre Stadium located in Chiclayo, Peru. It has finally come. We will broadcast to you the match between Korea and the United States in the World Youth Championship under 17. Commentator Park Moon-seok.]
[This is Park Moon-seok, who is in charge of commentary today.]
[Yes. As I mentioned in the briefing earlier, I think our players will have an obsession that they must win. What do you think?]
[I guess so. In the Group C match that took place earlier, there was an upset where Ivory Coast drew with Italy. Therefore, we must defeat our first opponent, the United States.]
[I see. I hope that our players will show their strength. By the way, did quite a lot of spectators come to the stadium?]
1:10 PM.
There were about 18,000 spectators in the stadium.
It was to watch the Group C match between Korea and the United States, and the number of spectators was more than 3,000 more than the average number of spectators for Group A and Group B matches.
The protagonist is none other than Woo Ho-young.
If he participates, the record for the youngest player to participate in the U-17 World Cup will be broken today.
Soon after, the 22 players passed through the passage and appeared on the field, followed by enthusiastic applause from the audience.
The appearance of Woo Ho-young, who is 4.6 years younger than the average age of the participating players, was just as unconventional.
Afterwards, the national anthem filled the stadium, starting with the American national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner.
“Let’s preserve Korea for a long time as one person.”
After the national anthem was played, 22 players shook hands.
Hoyoung’s eyes were busy.
‘There is no player like this.’
Occasionally, we saw players with C-level talent, but that was all.
The United States has tremendous potential in terms of national capabilities, but since soccer is an unpopular sport, the player base is very thin.
Still, there are two players to watch out for.
They were defender ‘Jackson’ and attacker ‘Ryan’.
‘In terms of talent, Ryan is the best on the team.’
[Ryan Soroka]
Talents
-Soccer genius (C+3)
-Ferocious hitting and running (B)
-Fast motorized legs (B-)
-Very stylish volley kick (C+2)
(One talent if the conditions are met) (Condition 1: Steal the ball once)
(Condition 2: Draw or win the game)
He was 18 years old in Korean age and did not have a great talent for soccer, but he had a knack for running fast
.
There was one talent that Hoyoung could also covet.
A very impressive volley kick (C+2).
‘If you strengthen it, you can get promoted.’
It would have been perfect if he had been promoted and transferred to another talent.
That’s it, finally.
Beep!
Hoyoung’s first World Cup match has begun.
[South Korea on the left and the United States on the right. The first match of the U17 World Cup Group C has begun. At the same time, a World Cup record was updated. It couldn’t be a truly meaningful day.]
[That’s right. Korea’s proud player, Woo Ho-young, broke the previous record of being the youngest player to participate in the U17 World Cup. Woo Ho-young succeeded in beating the record held by a 13-year-old African player by a whopping 342 days. It is a historic moment that will leave a mark in the world of soccer.]
This was said a few years ago when the record for the participation of a 13-year-old African player was set.
-He is a player who competed only for records. It is a record that can never be broken as long as modern soccer continues to develop and unless a monster emerges.
However, after just a few years, Woo Ho-young renewed his name today at the age of 12 years and 63 days.
Thump thump.
Perhaps because of this, Hoyoung’s heart couldn’t stay still even for a moment.
My heart swelled as I thought that I was actually playing in the World Cup that I had been watching while eating chicken at a pub.
Of course, it was the Youth World Cup, but for Hoyoung now, it was no different from the Adult World Cup.
Excitement came over me from afar.
The feeling became more and more clear, and my body slowly began to tense up.
Although I prepared thoroughly, I couldn’t help but feel nervous because I had no experience standing on a big stage.
But even for a moment.
The game started, I touched the ball a few times as I stepped on the grass, and the tension gradually eased.
It was from then on that Hoyoung began to display his own style of play.
[Ah, Woo Ho-young, who has moved down to attacking midfielder, is working diligently.]
[That’s right. If you look now, the tight waistline of the U.S. is slowly becoming looser?]
As the commentary said, the tight midfield of the U.S. was gradually becoming looser, and the movement of the Republic of Korea was coming back to life.
However, it was the United States that took the decisive opportunity first.
20 minutes in the first half.
During a fierce battle for the ball, the ball from midfield headed toward Korea’s defensive zone.
Ryan caught the ball.
Percussion!
Without looking back, Ryan attempted to break through using his agile physique.
However, my speed died before I could even go 10 meters.
Hoyoung came from behind like a storm and started a fight.
“profit.”
Despite his small stature, Ryan held on tenaciously to avoid being pushed away.
As the team’s ace, I didn’t want to lose to a guy who was four years younger than me.
But that didn’t happen as hoped.
“Kek.”
When Hoyoung put pressure on his shoulders and challenged Ryan to a speed competition, Ryan was unable to withstand the enormous pressure and fell down.
Ryan went crazy and raised his hands, but the referee restarted the game.
This is because, no matter who sees it, it was a fair physical fight.
“What the hell. crazy.”
Ryan, who lost the ball, cursed without realizing it.
If he falls, he should get up right away and make an effort to get the ball back, but he didn’t have the will to do so.
It was a feeling of helplessness resulting from the overwhelming difference in skill.
40 minutes in the first half.
As if a bitter wind was blowing, Koo Ja-young’s quick pass threatened the United States.
Nevertheless, the U.S. defense was as strong as a deeply rooted tree.
This was thanks to Jackson, who was struggling at the center of a solid defense.
And Hoyoung was wandering around.
“flea.”
No matter how much Jackson provoked, Hoyoung didn’t pay much attention.
It was something I had experienced countless times while playing in the Brazilian league, so I was not surprised.
Now, it has become a daily routine, to the point where I feel sad when there is no nervousness.
That easy-going appearance made Jackson want to behave.
‘Then let’s bully him sometime.’
Jackson took out his own organs.
In addition to dirty play, a defense that sticks to you like a mosquito and causes irritation to the opponent.
It was a skill honed in the youth team of Kansas City, a powerhouse in the American soccer major league.
Eventually, the opportunity came.
Percussion!
When Hoyoung received the pass with his back to the goal, Jackson fought.
I was thinking of gently pulling on the back of the uniform.
But at the same time, Jackson’s face became contemplative.
‘Oh…’
What is this?
Something that’s hard to explain in words…
‘Ah.’
Okay, that’s it.
It feels like I’m pushing a huge rock.
In terms of physique, Hoyoung was taller and stockier than Jackson, but there was still a three-year age difference.
The three-year age gap in childhood was physically enormous, so Jackson naturally knew he would win.
But, let alone winning, Hoyoung didn’t even budge.
Rather than being pushed away, he pushed Jackson away and attempted to break through at the same time.
‘Isn’t this…?’
“Ugh!”
Even if something goes wrong, it is definitely wrong.
But by the time I realized it, it was already too late.
Following the physical fight, Woo Ho-young’s instantaneous speed was fooled and the road was completely opened.
From that moment, Hoyoung’s 20-meter solo race began.
The American goalkeeper rushed out, but was unable to react to the precise and fast kick.
The ball left Hoyoung’s toe and had already been sucked into the goal.
Beep!
With the sound of shaking the goal net, the referee blew his whistle for a long time, signaling the first goal.
A thunderous cheer erupted from the commentary desk.
[goal! Woo Ho-young! Gooooool! It’s a goal! Woo Ho-young scores the first goal of the tournament!!]
[This is truly amazing. 12 years and 63 days! [You’re even breaking the record for being the youngest person to score!]
A smooth start.
The Korean national team’s cruising continued until the end of the game.
Even in the second half, they dominated the game throughout and made it clear to the United States what the difference in skill was.
Taking advantage of America’s once collapsed midfield, Koo Ja-young stabbed a key pass through the center, and Ho-young showed off his scoring ability through overwhelming penetration and decent goal-making ability to receive the pass.
They succeeded in scoring an additional goal 20 minutes after the start of the second half.
[Aaaaaaa! Woo Ho-young came out with great determination today! It’s the second goal!!!]
[That’s amazing. Didn’t Woo Ho-young do this interview a few days ago? This is an interview where he said he was confident and would show it through a game. Those words touch my heart deeply.]
And 30 minutes into the second half.
Hoyoung’s key pass led to Lee Cheong-ryong’s score, putting a wedge in the win.
Afterwards, Hoyoung, who was replaced to improve his stamina, walked off the pitch receiving warm applause from the audience.
It was not easy to play U17 games at that age.
Even though the actual running time was only 75 minutes, the level of experience was completely different from that of the U15s.
It was a game where the need to continuously increase stamina was felt.
Then 45 minutes into the second half.
Beep!
As the whistle sounded, signaling the end of the game, good news came to Hoyoung’s eyes.
[Choose the talent you want to pursue.] -There was only one thing to choose
, Volley Kick (C+2), which was quite popular,
so there was no need to worry.
I immediately admired his talent for volley kicks.
As a result, the existing ‘quite impressive volley kick (C+3)’ was promoted to a higher level.
[Sharp Volley Kick (B-)↑]
[Sharp Volley Kick (B-) can be transferred to another talent. Do you want to transfer it?]
‘It would be better to transfer it to strong physical strength.’
In that way, the sharp volley kick (B-) became the foundation for strong stamina (B-) and disappeared, and the stamina grew by one level.
[Strong Stamina (B)↑]
It was a shame that the talent for volley kicking disappeared, but this will not be the end.
If I advance to the professional stage in the future, I might meet a player with S or A level volley kick talent.
And Hoyoung, who was selected as the man of the match that day, broke the record for being the youngest player to be selected as the man of the match and entered his name in the FIFA record three times.
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