Weird Defender Joo Ji-Tae

112 – The Start of the Festival

112

The referee’s whistle blew, and the extra time ended.

The score was still 1:1.

Despite Brazil’s fierce attacks, Korea’s goal remained unbroken. Now, whoever advances to the semifinals, the 8th round match between Korea and Brazil will officially be recorded as a ‘draw’.

“Huuu….”

Regardless of what happens next, Joo Jitae let out a long sigh and sat down, exhausted.

I tried to stop the opponent’s shot with all my might, but it was too much. I was like a madman, running around and putting my face in the way of the shot.

“Is this right?”

Joo Ji-tae let out a deep sigh, feeling a sudden sense of frustration.

How did it come to this?

At first, it was to get back at the annoying Jo Jae-sin, and then it was to play football more comfortably.

But now?

Now, it’s… to surpass the greatest defender in football history, Franz Beckenbauer?

In my past life, I spent 16 years as a professional player, and while I was considered a top player as a forward and midfielder, I realized I was lacking to become the greatest of all time in my position.

Can I surpass players like Pele, Maradona, and Messi? No way.

To surpass the players of the past, I need to do more than just match their achievements. I need to do better.

In modern football, where the game is constantly evolving, simply matching the achievements of the past won’t cut it.

Moreover, even if I put in similar performances, people who have already seen those performances will have high expectations, so even if I do as well as Messi, I won’t be able to surpass him.

Most importantly, the past is romanticized.

So, to surpass the past, I need to do even more… much more.

Can any player put on a performance that surpasses Pele, Maradona, Messi, Cruyff, Di Stefano, and Zidane?

Joo Ji-tae evaluated himself objectively and calmly.

It’s difficult.

At least, I’m not that person.

I have the confidence to put on a performance comparable to Messi’s, but I don’t have the confidence to surpass him.

Maybe. If I were to face the current Messi, I might be able to hold my own. At least, I think I’d receive a higher evaluation than Ronaldo.

But Messi has already retired for nearly 10 years. No, by the time I reached my prime, it would have been even longer. So, am I supposed to compete with a romanticized, retired Messi?

That’s why I chose to play as a center-back…

“Is this the famous ‘one-man defense’?”

I never imagined it would come to this.

In the world… I’m running around like crazy, using my face to block shots.

I felt a sense of frustration rising up as I received a massage.

“Hey, look at this.”

It was Jo Jae-sin, who had been hiding during the entire game.

As one of the fastest players on the team, with excellent on-the-ball skills and goal-scoring ability, he was optimized for counter-attacks. But because he was isolated at the front, he had to disappear during the game.

Even so, he was running around like crazy, trying to disrupt the opponent’s build-up from the back.

“What’s this?”

Jo Jae-sin gestured, and a coach handed him a phone.

It was a video of Jo Jae-sin on Stargram.

“What’s this?”

“What is it? You and your friends made a video to cheer me on, right?”

It was a 10-second video of Jo Jae-sin wearing a school uniform, rabbit ears, and cat gloves, making cute gestures and cheering. It was unclear whether it was a genuine cheer or just to increase his followers…

“Kicked out. So cute.”

“Cute? I think it’s disgusting.”

Joo Ji-tae couldn’t help but laugh.

Yeah. I’m trying my best, but what’s the point?

Just… since I’m already giving it my all, I want to be the best.

“I’m cheering for you like this, so you can’t lose, right? You can’t, right?”

I can’t disappoint the people cheering for me.

So, I’ll do my best.

As I looked at the players gathered by Coach Marizio, Jo Jaeshin shook his head.

“Tsk, tsk. It’s okay.”

* * *

Penalty kicks.

The official name is Kicks from the penalty mark, but it’s also called Penalty Kicks, or the 11-meter Russian roulette.

Coach Marizio gathered the players.

“First one… oh, can I trust you with it?”

“…….”

Even Oh Seung-hwan, a 29-year-old veteran striker who scored 19 goals for AS Roma, couldn’t answer easily.

In theory, it takes only 0.4 seconds for the ball to reach the goal, but humans need at least 0.6 seconds to react. That’s why penalty kicks are unstoppable if done correctly.

But theory is just theory.

Reality is different.

The immense pressure of penalty kicks, especially in the World Cup, can make even players who scored 10 out of 10 in practice miss.

That’s why the kicker is usually a player who is confident in their shooting.

Especially the first and last kickers, who bear the most pressure.

Oh Seung-hwan, the team’s main striker and 29-year-old veteran, was the perfect player for the first kicker.

He was confident in his shooting.

“…Yes, I’ll take it.”

“Good. Second is Noh Han-ho, third is—”

There were players who couldn’t handle the pressure.

Even among the veterans.

Players like that were naturally pushed to the back of the line.

There was a time when Hong Myung-bo refused to take a penalty kick in the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, got scolded by the coach, and eventually succeeded as the fifth kicker. But in a situation where the pressure is already high, if you’re overwhelmed by the pressure, you’re more likely to miss.

The order was set, and the moment of fate finally arrived.

As I watched with my teammates near the halfway line, goalkeeper Choi Kyu-hoon finished his preparations, put on his gloves, and got into position.

Gabriel Nascimento, who stepped up as the kicker, was also under immense pressure, sweating despite the referee’s whistle, and took a deep breath before taking his shot.

“Please…”

Someone’s fervent whisper was heard, and

“Wow!!”

The ball kicked by Brazil’s first kicker, Gabriel Nascimento, flew into the air.

It was a miss.

But the cheering didn’t last long.

Korea’s first kicker, Oh Seung-hwan, seemed to be affected by the previous miss, kicked the ball too cautiously, and ended up giving it to Brazil’s goalkeeper, Lucas Pompe.

“Please, please. Ah, damn it. I’m going crazy.”

“Whew… whew…”

As I heard the fervent prayers from my teammates, I closed my eyes calmly.

The referee’s whistle blew, and the ball kicked off. The roar of the crowd and the shout of excitement.

Brazil: X O O X

South Korea: X O O

After Brazil’s 4th attempt with 2 successes, South Korea’s 4th chance with 3 attempts and 2 successes.

The kicker was,

“…I’ll be back.”

It was Jo Jae-shin.

Joo Ji-tae, with an unusually pale face, shouted at Jo Jae-shin’s back as he took heavy steps.

“Just kick it casually, it’s the last one!”

Jo Jae-shin’s shoulders, which had been stiff, relaxed slightly.

Brazil’s goalkeeper, Lucas Pom, crouched down and spread his long arms wide.

The referee’s whistle blew.

As Jo Jae-shin took a deep breath, his leg, which had been stuck to the ground, kicked the ball with intense impact,

Bang!—

The powerful shot shook the goal net in an instant.

Brazil: X O O X

South Korea: X O O O

Brazil’s last kicker was Eder Fabian.

The 32-year-old veteran winger, who played for Real Madrid, accurately kicked the ball into the corner of the goal, overcoming the immense pressure of being eliminated if he failed.

Brazil: X O O X O

South Korea: X O O O

“Hmm.”

Joo Ji-tae placed the ball on the penalty spot and stepped on the surrounding grass.

Although the grass was already flat due to the previous players, Joo Ji-tae still stepped on it slowly, as if it were a ritual—

“It’s thrilling.”

He was savoring the thrill.

This was an opportunity to become the hero on the World Cup stage.

The penalty shootout in the World Cup quarterfinals.

If he scored, he’d make it to the semifinals. If not? Well, the next kicker would take care of it.

Joo Ji-tae, who had carelessly passed on the responsibility, took a slow step back.

“One step, two steps, three steps…”

Exactly five steps.

The referee’s whistle blew, and Joo Ji-tae took a bold step forward.

One step, two steps, three steps, four steps, and—

Goal!

* * *

[This is South Korea’s last kicker. If he succeeds, he’ll make it to the semifinals, and if he fails, the next kicker will take over!]

[Ah, Joo Ji-tae, you’re so relaxed. You’re a natural-born superstar!!]

[The referee’s whistle blew, and Joo Ji-tae suddenly jumped up! Joo Ji-tae, Joo Ji-tae, Joo Ji-tae— what!?]

[Uaaak!! What is this!! Joo Ji-tae, Panenka!! It’s Panenka!!]

『Korea, advancing to the semifinals after a fierce battle with Brazil, winning the penalty shootout!』

『Joo Ji-tae’s Panenka, which confirmed Korea’s victory!』

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『Korea, a disappointing loss in the semifinals』