Chapter 7

7. Debut Match (2)

Seoul, having scored the opening goal, showed more aggressive movements.

Thud—!

Kim Jong-won of Gyeongbuk, who had provided the opportunity for the opening goal, approached from the side to block Jung Chang-hoon.

"This time, I'll stop you...!"

Kim Jong-won, who had transferred to Gyeongbuk this season, was a left-back who had followed an elite course through various age-group teams. Although he had been forced to transfer to the second division due to competition with veterans, he could not accept the idea that he would be beaten by Jung Chang-hoon.

Watching this scene, Ha Jun shook his head and smiled.

"How can you be so predictable?"

Before the match, while analyzing Gyeongbuk's lineup, Ha Jun identified their left side as a weakness. Kim Jong-won, the left-back, was a player with good skills. In fact, he was undoubtedly an excellent player at the K2 League level.

He had quick speed and bold overlapping, as well as decent defensive skills.

However.

"Your mental strength is so weak."

Kim Jong-won had a fatal flaw that negated all his strengths.

Namely, poor judgment and a fragile mentality.

At this moment, Kim Jong-won's weaknesses were prominently displayed. If he had made a better judgment, he should have blocked Jung Chang-hoon's angle instead of rushing at him recklessly.

And the price for not making a proper judgment.

"What...!"

Boom—!

Squeal—!

This led to another opportunity for Seoul.

'That kid is also pretty good at long passes, right?'

Among the patterns he had taught the players in preparation for the 9th round, this scene was included. Ha Jun had noticed that Jung Chang-hoon's crossing and long-passing abilities were exceptional and decided that he could create various attacking options.

Whoosh—!

Lee Tae-joon, who had spread wide on the left flank, smoothly received Jung Chang-hoon's pass.

While instructing Lee Tae-jeon to use the flank widely, Ha Jun had also told Kim Dae-yeol, who played as a central midfielder, to actively penetrate.

Thud—!

Seoul's aggressive penetration was not limited to Kim Dae-yeol.

Unlike the situation with the opening goal, Jung Chang-hoon did not advance to the final third but stayed slightly above the halfway line, with only five players entering the final third. The number of defenders was also five. When the numbers of attackers and defenders are equal...

Whistle—!

Thud—!

The attacking side has a significant advantage.

Whoosh!

"Bo-seong! Yong-gyu! Quickly back up!"

When Kim Dae-yeol, who had the ball, was marked by Gyeongbuk's center-back Moon Ji-won, his partner and defensive leader Kang Ryul shouted.

Following Kang Ryul's lead, two players from the midfield and the flank quickly ran to provide backup.

"Seong-gi!"

Tap!

Kim Dae-yeol passed the ball almost in one touch to Jung Seong-gi,

"Great job, Dae-yeol!"

Jung Seong-gi, upon receiving the ball, swung his right foot.

Or, it looked like he was swinging.

Tap! Whistle—!

Caught by Jung Seong-gi's shooting motion, Kang Ryul was deceived by the feint, and Gyeongbuk's goalkeeper Joo Shin-young rushed out of the goal to block Jung Seong-gi.

"Well... I'd like to score, but..."

Although he wanted to score another goal, recalling Ha Jun's instructions, Jung Seong-gi pushed the ball to the side instead of shooting.

Tap!

Thud—!

"Damn...!"

Joo Shin-young, who had rushed out to block Jung Seong-gi, had a distorted face.

On the other hand, Franco, who had quickly advanced to the ball, calmly swung his left foot,

Boom—!

The shot, aimed at the unguarded goal, smoothly split the net.

Clang—!

Cheers!

"Franco! Great shot!"

"Double! Thanks!"

Franco and Jung Seong-gi hugged each other, jumping with joy, and the Seoul bench also showed great excitement.

"Here we go! Ah!"

"Boss! It's already the second goal! It's okay to be happy, right?"

Unlike the two coaches who were ecstatic about the team's second goal, Ha Jun was not particularly pleased. Instead, he glared at the field with a stern expression.

'Complacency is dangerous... I'm not sure if they can stay focused.'

While the combination play before the second goal was very satisfying for Ha Jun, he could not relax. Seoul had not won a single match in the first 8 league games. Now, they were leading 2-0, but there was a risk of complacency.

"They need to stay focused."

A 2-goal lead in the first half could easily be overturned. Ha Jun hoped the players would not let their guard down.

However.

Just before halftime, Ha Jun's concerns became reality.

Clang—!

Taking advantage of the Seoul players' relaxed state, Adilson quickly advanced and, receiving a pass from Gustavo, one of Gyeongbuk's top forwards, scored a goal.

"Phew... It was switching between 4-4-2 and 4-3-3."

With the two wing-backs unable to return, Gyeongbuk temporarily increased their attacking numbers and easily broke through Seoul's goal. Seeing this, Ha Jun covered his eyes with his hand.

"Ah..."

Beep! Beep! Beep—!

* * *

Thud.

Thud.

I was heading to the dressing room in a very irritated state. The two goals the players scored in the first half were not only goals but also processes worthy of praise. However, the goal conceded at the end of the first half was unacceptable.

"Damn."

If it had been an unavoidable situation, it would be one thing. But it was a scene that could have been prevented with a bit more focus. What was the result?

They conceded a goal pointlessly.

Ha ha ha ha!

The boisterous laughter echoing in the corridor doubled my irritation. What exactly did those guys think they had done so well to laugh like that?

"They don't even care about the goal conceded."

It wasn't about making them feel intimidated by the last-minute goal. At the very least, I expected them to review the mistakes that led to the goal.

Bang—!

Opening the door irritably, I saw the disheveled state of the team.

"Coach! We're winning... "

Bang!

I kicked the trash can in front of me, and only then did the players realize something was wrong, exchanging glances.

"Did you think you won a decisive victory?"

Humans, or rather, players, are like that. If you don't correct their relaxed attitude before the game ends, they will continue to play in that state. If that happens, a sure win can turn into a draw or even a loss.

"Is it because you scored the first goal of the season and two goals in the first half that you're so elated...?"

I scanned the entire team. Their expressions varied, but they all seemed to be confused by this cold atmosphere.

"Ah, you don't understand? You scored two goals and are winning, so why is this guy so pissed off? Is that what you're thinking?"

My anger boiled.

If I could have continued my playing career like them.

If I hadn't had to retire due to injury.

I would have played each game with all my might. But these guys seem satisfied just with the fact that they are winning, even with a score that can easily be overturned.

"The Gyeongbuk FC we're facing today is a new team. If the previous coach hadn't messed up, they would have been a favorable opponent for us. The two early goals? Well done. The process wasn't bad either. But what's the point? Does scoring two amazing goals end the game?"

I know.

I know that our team's organization is not yet perfect.

But that doesn't excuse the ridiculous goal conceded. If it was a goal that couldn't be stopped even with our best effort, I would have praised them.

"Maintain your focus until the end. The reason for the goal conceded at the end of the first half was your lack of concentration. If you had maintained the same level of focus as in the early part of the first half, you could have prevented it. Right? If you can refute that, go ahead. I'll listen."

The team remained silent.

They must be incredibly frustrated. Some of the players who played today are older than me.

However, football is not a sport played by age, whether you're a coach or a player.

"I expected you to review the goal conceded and improve your focus. If you had done that, I wouldn't be this pissed off. Enjoying the joy of victory is something to do after the final whistle. A 2-goal lead in the first half can be overturned at any time. You even reduced it to a 1-goal lead."

Sigh.

I sighed and pointed to the tactical board.

"In the second half, we'll adjust the formation slightly. Shin Young-joon."

"Yes!"

"You will protect the center-backs from the midfield and focus on build-up play. And, Lee Tae-joon and Jung Seong-gi will form the strike partnership."

"Yes! Understood!"

I moved the magnets on the tactical board to form a 3-5-2 formation. If you look at the positions in detail, it will be a 3-1-4-2.

Currently, we don't have a center-back who can overlap. We have a typical stopper and a player with good ball skills. In this situation, it's better to provide stability.

I planned to drop Shin Young-joon to the midfield to increase the number of defenders when needed and move Franco, who is good at creating chances, to the center to handle key passes.

"Franco."

"Yes, boss."

I was relieved that Franco could speak English. If he only spoke Italian, I would have needed an interpreter, which would have made it difficult to give precise instructions and would have been inefficient.

"Create space in the center. Use Jung Chang-hoon overlapping from the right and the two forwards up front. If needed, you can also take long shots yourself."

"Yes, boss."

After that, I gave detailed instructions to each player. Since our team lacked a player with the temperament to change the game, I emphasized patterns and detailed instructions over autonomy.

After all the instructions were given, I looked at the players and spoke.

"I believe you will show a stronger presence in the second half and secure a victory for the supporters. Can I count on you?"

"Yes!"

The team's loud response echoed through the dressing room, and I opened the door, satisfied with their answer.

"Let's go. It's time to bite into the first victory."