Weird Defender Joo Ji-Tae

7 – Chasing Ju Ji-tae

007

The second match of the U-20 Asian Cup for South Korea.

As expected, having secured easy victories against Oman and Vietnam in Group B, South Korea and Iraq, respectively, were now facing the showdown for the top spot in the group.

“Korea’s attack is ongoing, and we are now 15 minutes into the first half.”

While Korea dominated the game, Iraq successfully defended against Korea’s offense, and the score remained 0:0.

“The game feels a bit frustrating. Korea is leading with a possession ratio of 7:3, but most of the ball possession is happening in the back. They need to increase possession in Iraq’s territory.”

“Oh, but… Iraq has prepared well. The players’ movements are highly organized. They defend really well.”

Executing the unique style of Middle Eastern football, Iraq dropped their defensive line, formed a defensive block, and blocked Korea’s attempts to penetrate, causing frustration for the Korean team.

South Korea, as always against Middle Eastern teams, repeatedly circulated the ball in the back and resorted to long passes.

“I hope our players play more calmly, make short passes. Right now, they are giving away possession too easily. The reason is this, repeatedly making inaccurate long passes like this.”

“Uh, we need to be careful of counterattacks! Iraq is a team with a powerful counterattack, you know? When we lose the ball like just now, we need to quickly press them. We have to apply strong pressure from their territory. Fortunately, the opponent’s pass went wide now, but if it had connected, it could have been a very dangerous situation. We must not lose concentration.”

Despite focusing on defense, Korea was not such a formidable team that Iraq would give up on winning and settle for a draw.

Consequently, as Korea’s frustrated offensive attempts combined with Iraq’s preparations for a counterattack, there were several dangerous situations on the field.

“Ah, the first half ends without a score. Possession 74:26, shots 11:3, South Korea is far ahead, but the score is 0:0.”

“We had many shots, but only 3 were on target. We need to aim more accurately at the goal and create more opportunities.”

When facing a team that drops their defensive line and forms a defensive block, there are generally two approaches.

The first is a team-oriented method that disrupts the defensive block through pass-and-move tactics, and the second relies on the individual skills of a player capable of destructive dribbles, commonly known as a “crack.” The former requires good team preparation, while the latter necessitates a player with exceptional individual abilities.

Neither of them is easily attainable.

If cracks were common, they wouldn’t be called cracks, and team preparation is not something that can simply be achieved by coordinating hands and feet for a long time.

Even formidable teams struggle against weaker opponents who build such solid defensive blocks, let alone Korea.

Even Korea, at times, opts for a defensive strategy against strong teams, relying on counterattacks.

Of course, there’s no need to mention how formidable Korea’s defensive organization is.

“So, this isn’t really strange. Even powerful teams struggle with anti-football. Teams that easily break through this are quite rare globally.”

“Ah, I see.”

Midway through the second half.

Still stuck in a 0-0 situation, amidst the commentator fervently praising the shield, Iraq’s counterattack commenced.

Watching Korea play against Middle Eastern teams, it’s odd how our attacks seem dull, but occasionally, the opposing attacks appear dangerously sharp, ‘again.’

“Oh!! Ji Hoon’s splendid tackle saves them— huh? He took a shot! The referee points to the spot!”

“Oh, it’s a penalty. This is big. Really big. Depending on the referee’s inclination, penalties can be given in such situations. Ah… in the end, the penalty is declared.”

Caught off guard by Iraq’s counterattack, Korea concedes a penalty, trailing 0-1. Subsequently, Iraq’s bedded football unfolds naturally.

“Stay calm in situations like these! Players, don’t get involved in such provocations— oh, a card is shown. Yellow, a yellow card.”

“Fell again? Just continue playing. Ignoring deliberate falls like this is okay! We need to keep playing! Ah… but the shot goes high.”

Desperate, Coach Jang Ki-seok vigorously plays his substitution card, injecting energy into the team. However, now, with excitement, impatience, and the inability to break through the resilient defense that held strong even in the first half, breaking through seemed impossible.

“33rd minute of the second half. Coach Jang Ki-seok is finally using the last substitution card.”

“Player number 19, Jo Jae-shin. In the last game, he came on as a substitute in his debut and scored. A very promising player who recorded his first goal in his debut game.”

“Jo Jae-shin, ah, he’s replacing player number 8, Han Seung-jun. Han Seung-jun didn’t score in today’s game, but he worked hard. Now… yes, Jo Jae-shin forms a two-top with Park Hye-chan.”

“Jo Jae-shin is not tall at 181cm, but he has excellent elasticity. Moreover, this player is incredibly fast. With Park Hye-chan’s strength in aerial duels and Jo Jae-shin’s speed, it’s a typical big and small combination. Being classic means it works well.”

“Now, playing only his second game, we shouldn’t put too much pressure on the young player… but Jo Jae-shin, like in the last game, I hope he scores a goal quickly. This player is really good at deciding goals. I really hope he scores just one goal.”

Jo Jae-shin did it.

Only 3 minutes after coming on in the second half, in the 36th minute, he received a pass, turned his body with a one-touch, and scored with a shot. Then, 5 minutes later, in the 41st minute.

“Ohh!! Amazing additional goal!! Jo Jae-shin solves it with his head!!”

From Noble mtl dot com

“Wow, wow! What is this player!! He scored two goals in an instant!! Jo Jae-shin, Jo Jae-shin!!!”

Rushing into a corner kick situation, he displayed tremendous jumping ability to record his second goal.

Only after Iraq’s players, seemingly resigned from pain, unleashed their fury did raising the line ironically highlight Jo Jae-shin’s speed.

47th minute of the second half.

As additional time passed, Jo Jae-shin, digging into Iraq’s empty space in the back for an equalizing goal, finally succeeded in securing his third goal.

It was a hat-trick.

* * *

『The 17-year-old rookie who saved Korea!』

“A historic entrance! The protagonist of the second match with four goals, Cho Jaeshin!!”

“At just 17 years old, a formidable rookie who led the victory in the Iraq match with a hat-trick.”

“Hey, see that? See it? This is my bro. Wow~ 2 matches, 4 goals~”

“….”

“Oh? Followers surpassed 100,000~? Where’s our Joo Jitae… Oh dear. Still not over 10,000? Ah~ National team buff is real~ Hat-trick as a national representative! That’s why! Wow~ That’s the power of the Taegeuk mark!”

“….”

“Hey, are you watching?”

“Get lost.”

Joo Jitae was sullen.

Is Cho Jaeshin gaining attention? No.

Is it because Cho Jaeshin played first and scored four goals in two matches? No.

Is it because Cho Jaeshin’s star followers are ten times more? …This one stings a bit.

So, is it because Cho Jaeshin is showing off? …Can’t tolerate that either.

Joo Jitae doesn’t care about Cho Jaeshin’s performance or attention.

Because it’s familiar.

Even in the past, and in the first round, Cho Jaeshin was a superstar under all spotlights.

Of course, Joo Jitae got some spotlight too, mostly filled with insults rather than praise.

So, the current situation is quite familiar to Joo Jitae.

No need to be angry anew.

Of course, it doesn’t mean he likes this situation.

“Why did I become a center back for this?”

For the second round, wasn’t it to play more comfortably… No, to dominate Cho Jaeshin… No, wasn’t the main goal to play comfortably?

…Can’t it be both?

Anyway, as a center back chosen to dominate Cho Jaeshin, he finds this strange.

“Why is Cho Jaeshin so excited to death while I have to endure this nauseating training?”

Players who played in the match only receive recovery training and rest, but Joo Jitae, who didn’t play, had to endure tactical training that made him nauseous.

If you have to pick the most nauseating training during practice, it’s undoubtedly physical training, but next in line would be tactical training, especially defensive organization training.

For defense, organization is as vital as life itself, so to synchronize breathing, they constantly undergo repetitive training… Well, it sounds good as repetitive training, but in reality, it’s a training that involves removing the brain to make simultaneous movements and judgments in the same situation reflexively, making both the body and mind endlessly exhausted… but it’s okay.

Enduring tough training is part of the game.

However, above all, what was truly unbearable was…

“Me, inferior to Jo Jaeshin!?”

It was precisely Ju Jitae claiming that he was inferior to Jo Jaeshin.

Clutching his smartphone, the community ghost Ju Jitae trembled.

“I can endure criticism about my personality, sincerity, and privacy. However… However, I cannot bear being considered inferior to Jo Jaeshin!”

The opportunity presented itself quickly.

“Jitae, you’re in the starting lineup for the next match. Since it’s your debut, prepare well. If you feel pressured, let me know. I’ll substitute you in.”

“No, I will definitely go out as a starter.”