Chapter 178
[From now on, we will be broadcasting the Premier League Round 22 match between Chelsea and Manchester United.]
After successfully supporting Son Jinho’s studies in Germany, Choi Gi-hyun returned to South Korea and took charge of youth development policies.
[As this is his first match after winning the Ballon d’Or, there’s a lot of attention on this game. It’s an exciting moment to see what kind of performance Son Jinho will deliver today.]
His only hobby was watching Son Jinho’s matches, the greatest achievement of his managerial career, while sipping a beer.
“Hmm. Just looking at it makes me feel full.”
The moment he looked at his student, who was again on the starting lineup for Manchester United, today was no different.
[Ah! Chelsea fans are giving applause to Son Jinho, who won the Ballon d’Or the other day.]
[Chelsea shows a truly classy gesture by congratulating the rival team’s Ballon d’Or winner.]
└ Wait, what’s up with Cheolmin here…
Choi Gi-hyun felt like his career was rising effortlessly, even without doing anything.
“The mentor of the first Asian Ballon d’Or winner? It’s me!”
With a satisfied expression looking at the TV screen, Choi Gi-hyun thought about what happened today.
– Coach Choi, or rather Chairman Choi, the only person who can revive the Korean Football Association in crisis is you!
Back then, he was asked to take on the role of chairman of the Power Reinforcement Committee by the former chairman and the association’s vice president.
Choi Gi-hyun realized that the offer coming to him was a poisoned chalice.
Though he had his clumsy moments like forgetting to renew his passport, he wasn’t stupid.
Recently, there were rumors that the former president was considering returning to the role of the football association president.
If he made a mistake, he could carry all the disgrace and suffer the same fate as the president.
Succumbing to such a fate isn’t a tradition of Korean culture but rather of Chinese culture; however, when did that ever matter?
In any case, logically speaking, he shouldn’t accept this offer.
[Ahhh! Son Jinho scores his 9th goal in the Premier League!!]
[The shot hit John Terry and deflected into the net! What a lucky goal! Manchester United starts to take the lead!]
But the moment Son Jinho’s shot pierced Chelsea’s net guarded by Cech, Choi Gi-hyun resolved to act according to his heart rather than logic this time.
“…Let’s do it.”
It’s such a pity that a player representing Asia, now the whole world, doesn’t have a national team game.
As someone who loves football, he realized what he needed to do.
– Ho-woo: If it’s really hard, come and help me with my work.
And even if he had to accept that fate, there were safety measures in place. It would be a bit embarrassing to rely on his successful student, but at least he wouldn’t starve.
“Who will revive the South Korea National Team? It’s me!”
With a firm resolve, Choi Gi-hyun began to plan a decade-long grand strategy.
“First things first…”
[Power changes happening in the football association? Offering the position of Power Reinforcement Committee Chairman to Coach Choi.]
└ Tsk tsk, isn’t it shameful for the mentor to use his student’s name to get a position in the association?
└ I’ll sue you.
└ Sue? Haha, what will you sue me for?
└ For defamation of character.
Choi Gi-hyun decided to serve justice to the fact bully.
***
As Choi Gi-hyun was about to agree to the position of chairman of the strategy reinforcement committee…
The match between Premier League leaders Manchester United and 4th place Chelsea was fierce.
With a powerful lineup headed by Ronaldo, Son Jinho, and Van Persie dominating the match, Manchester United clashed with Chelsea, known for its defensive prowess, currently recording the least goals conceded in the league.
Both teams deployed their maximum available strength, and the opening goal was scored by the firepower-focused Manchester United.
Son Jinho’s unexpected long-range shot from outside the penalty area hit John Terry and deflected into the net.
The Manchester United players rejoiced at the corner flag for their lucky score.
Thanks to the opening goal, they could take the match a little more easily.
[Eden Hazard grabbing the ball from the side.]
However, Chelsea could not afford to lose helplessly in their home game.
Chelsea attacked with Hazard at the center.
[Ah! Eden Hazard successfully evades the previously impenetrable Van Dijk!]
Tearing through the tight Manchester United defensive line, Eden Hazard showcased a crack as he entered the penalty box.
Calmly shooting between De Gea’s legs before Van Dijk could close in.
[Eden Hazard roars as he scores the equalizer!!]
The ball successfully shook the net.
Just like that, both teams exchanged blows in rapid succession.
Son Jinho shook his head while watching Eden Hazard celebrating his goal.
‘Sigh… I miss Eden Hazard today.’
Anyway, the momentum shifted to Chelsea, who had lifted their spirits with the equalizer.
Chelsea pressed hard against Manchester United to secure victory at their home ground, Stamford Bridge.
Unfortunately for Chelsea, today was just one of those days for Manchester United.
[Oh! Just like Son Jinho’s goal, Michael Carrick’s shot gets sucked into the goal!!]
[John Terry is finally holding his head in despair!]
Just like when Liverpool suffered a staggering 7-2 defeat against Aston Villa.
Every time Manchester United took a shot, it hit a defender and deflected into the goal, while a chilling silence began to settle over Stamford Bridge.
***
[Score 2-1, with Michael Carrick’s goal, Manchester United leads once again!!]
└ What the hell;;
└ Wait, lol
└ Damn, John Terry again?
└ Is it the curse of Wayne Bridge?
└ The curse of Wayne Bridge unfolds at Stamford Bridge ㄷㄷㄷㄷ;;
└ What kind of curse? Lol
[John Terry is holding his head. No wonder he feels that way…]
[Ah! Speaking of which! Virgil Van Dijk interrupts Chelsea’s attack!]
[Van Dijk has spotted the penetrating Van Persie!]
[Robin Van Persie’s crosssssss—!]
[John Terry successfully clears it! But the cleared ball goes to Son Jinho! Son Jinho! Shoots!!]
[Ahhh!!!! It went in!! Son Jinho’s 10th goal in the Premier League!! The balance of power begins to tip towards Manchester United!!]
[…]
└ What’s going on? Why isn’t Cheolmin doing commentary?
└ Cheolmin has been left speechless lol
[Whoa! Son Jinho’s fantastic volley shot rips through the net!!]
└ The other one is going wild lol
└ Whoa!
└ Honestly, it’s understandable to lose it in front of Ho-woo ㅇㅈ
└ Damn it, we cheered for Son Jinho before the match, can he please go easy on us!!
***
The first half ended with Manchester United leading, and the second half began.
In the locker room during halftime, Mourinho emphasized his bad luck, but aimed to attack more aggressively in the second half by substituting in Mohamed Salah, who transferred during the winter transfer market.
[Salah! He runs! He’s fast!]
Substituted Mohamed Salah charged at Manchester United’s backline at high speed, quickly creating a decisive one-on-one opportunity.
[He even got past David De Gea! Mohamed Salah!]
As he entered the penalty box, he calmly sidestepped De Gea.
An empty goal awaited with no defenders present.
‘This is it. It’s a goal!’
Anticipating his debut goal in the Premier League, Mohamed Salah envisioned the celebration he would perform at the corner flag and swung his foot slowly.
But in that moment, the uneven grass caused an unpredictable bounce to occur.
And Salah’s shot flew up into the sky.
“Bloody Hell! Is he the second Torres?!”
The home crowd’s jeers caused Mohamed Salah to start feeling anxious.
***
In the 68th minute.
As Robin Van Persie scored, Cristiano Ronaldo began to fume.
“Pass more to Son Jinho!”
Of course, he began to grumble over trivial matters.
“Cris, pass me the ball!”
He displayed his greed by taking a shot himself instead of passing to the player in a better position.
[What a ridiculous shot~]
Ronaldo started rushing shots on the pitch.
Most of them flew hopelessly outside the goal, but occasionally sharp shots went towards the corner of the goal.
Yet, whenever Ronaldo’s shot aimed for the corner, Petr Čech clenched his teeth and saved it.
“Come on!!”
Petr Čech roared after denying Ronaldo’s shot.
“Puta Madre!”
Ronaldo unleashed a torrent of curses in frustration.
‘It’s cold.’
Son Jinho sensed that if this continued, he would suffer at Ronaldo’s hands for quite a while and began to actively feed him the ball.
Switching plays with Robin Van Persie, Son Jinho moved to the right flank, checking Ronaldo’s position penetrating into the penalty box and sent in a low, fast cross.
Ronaldo stretched his leg to attempt a shot at the incoming ball.
A slightly misfired shot.
Petr Čech moved, confident of his save.
But then, an unexpected situation occurred.
The slightly misfired shot hit John Terry’s knee, who stretched his leg to defend, causing a deflection.
The ball, deflected off John Terry’s knee, then struck Ronaldo’s lower body and headed toward Chelsea’s goal.
“SIUUUUUUU!!”
It was such an ungraceful scoring, but Ronaldo, satisfied with adding to his tally, ran towards the corner flag with a smile as if he owned the world and celebrated.
“Grow up, please.”
Son Jinho let out a small sigh, looking at Ronaldo, who was innocently pointing to his lower body.
***
After the match ended, in the interview room.
Chelsea suffered a shocking 6-1 defeat at their home ground, Stamford Bridge.
– What do you think was the reason for the defeat?
Defeated Mourinho simply answered reporters who caught him with a look of despair before leaving the interview room.
“This isn’t anyone’s fault. The damn god of football just wanted Manchester United to win. That’s it.”
