Chapter 154 – Equivalent Exchange – 1
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The 2042 FIFA China World Cup group stage ended with the final Group H match.
While the countries that succeeded in advancing to the round of 16 were celebrating in their own countries.
In order to prepare for the World Cup to be held in their country, China suspended the Super League and went on long-term camp training, dreaming of advancing to the round of 16 for the first time in its history.
They failed to win even a single game in the group stage, let alone advance to the round of 16.
The Chinese people, who watched helplessly as the national team was eliminated from the game, began to pour out their anger on the Internet.
[When I heard that Korea was a favorite to win the World Cup, I resented myself for laughing at me and saying that China would have a higher chance of making it to the quarterfinals than Korea winning the World Cup.]
└ China to the quarterfinals? Wouldn’t it be faster for Earthlings to immigrate to Mars?
[Japan advanced to the round of 16 with a come-from-behind win in the last game, and Korea advanced to the round of 16 as first place in the group. However, the Chinese national team did not win even one game. Why on earth is Chinese soccer still stagnant now as it was 40 years ago?.]
[In China, stupid people buy stocks and smart people bet on the defeat of the Chinese national team.]
└ It is a safe asset that can never be lost.
└ Damn it, don’t expose my investment strategy!
The spectators, who had been pouring out their anger for a while, calmed down to some extent and began to watch someone else’s festival held in their front yard with bitter expressions.
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The day after the Group H match ended.
The first match of the round of 16, a match between Spain and Denmark, was almost eliminated in the round of 16 due to Spain’s chronic striker’s decision-making problem.
Crazy poodle Luis Garcia led Spain to the quarterfinals with a spectacular free kick winning goal just before the end of extra time.
After the game ended, Luis Garcia sent me a message bomb.
-Crazy Poodle: Hey, Jejus.
-Crazy Poodle: Did you see the game?
-Crazy Poodle: How about the club team hand me the free kick now?
It was nonsense worth listening to, so I just read it and chewed on it.
And four hours later, in a match between Brazil, first place in Group C, and Mexico, second place in Group D, Brazil defeated Mexico 3:0, completing the quarterfinal matchup between Spain and Brazil.
[2042 China World Cup quarterfinals big match. Spain vs Brazil.]
Hmm… I hope Spain wins.
I opened the messenger app and left a message to Luis Garcia.
-Me: Hey Luis, if Spain loses against Brazil, I’m going to pop durian in your car.
-Me: So grit your teeth and run.
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The day after the Lord Jesus threatened Luis Garcia.
A match was played between England, first place in Group B, and Colombia, second place in Group A.
England succeeded in winning 2 vs 0 against Colombia.
[The game is over! England defeats Colombia and advances to the quarterfinals!]
Richard the Lionheart, who succeeded in scoring the key goal, provoked Jesus Christ in an interview after the game ended.
[Richard, to the Lord Jesus. ‘You come out!’]
[England’s young lion picks South Korea as his final opponent. ‘There is a debt to be repaid to Jesus.’]
After watching Richard’s interview, Jesus Joo snorted and mentioned France, which is likely to be England’s quarterfinal opponent.
[The Lord Jesus responding to Richard’s interview. ‘Britain starts by thinking about how to beat France.’]
And 6 hours later.
France, who received the loving support of Jesus Christ, lost to Portugal and was eliminated in the round of 16.
[A strange thing happens!! Portugal!! We succeed in defeating France and advancing to the quarterfinals!!]
France, which was a strong contender for the championship, fell victim to an upset after Joo Jesus’ cubic decision and fell in the round of 16.
[France’s shocking elimination. Pele – The next generation soccer god, succeeding Messi. Is it the curse of Jejus?!]
[Jejus attending the press conference with South Korea national team coach Utilike.]
The reporters’ keen interest turned to the press conferences in Korea and the Netherlands the day before the game.
[Netherlands coach Giovanni van Gaal’s continued provocations. ‘Jesus doesn’t help the team when they don’t have the ball. He is an incredibly arrogant and lazy player.’]
Jesus Christ, who attended the press conference, did not fall for Dutch coach Giovanni van Gaal’s provocation.
[The Lord Jesus responds to director Giovanni van Gaal’s provocation with a smile. ‘It’s the ugly jealousy of a man who never won an award when he was a player.’]
[The Lord Jesus posted a picture of a tulip on social media and wrote down a meaningful quote. ‘Tulips will destroy the Netherlands.’]
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Tianhe Stadium located in Tianhe District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, where the match between Korea and the Netherlands is held.
This place, which can accommodate about 60,000 spectators, was filled with Korean and Dutch visitors who came to watch the game.
[Hello to all viewers across the country! In a moment, we will be at Tianhe Stadium in China, where the match between Korea Republic and the Netherlands will be held.
The stadium was filled with supporters and Korean residents who showed up from early in the morning to cheer for the national team.]
[That’s right! I feel energized when I receive enthusiastic support from the audience, right?! I hope we achieve the great feat of advancing to the quarterfinals for the first time ever thanks to the enthusiastic support of our players and fans!]
[The round of 16 match between Korea and the Netherlands will begin with the referee’s whistle.]
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Not long after the game started, the net shook.
[Ah-! South Korea conceded a goal early.]
The heads of the Korean national team players wearing red uniforms are lowered. The Dutch national team, wearing navy blue uniforms, ran to the corner flag and enjoyed the celebration.
[The players seem to be very nervous. Your body looks heavy. If you quickly shake off your nerves and play your own game, you can score the chasing goal and win.]
Perhaps due to the tension of being eliminated if they lose due to the nature of the tournament, the movements of the Korean national team players were so dull and heavy that it made you wonder if they were the same team as in the group stage.
As soon as the Netherlands realized that Korea was nervous, they quickly increased the pressure, induced a mistake, and scored the first goal.
It was seen that the morale of the Korean players was declining. The Lord Jesus came forward.
“Don’t lower your head, you bastards!”
Jesus Joo consoled the Korean players who bowed their heads. Once morale was broken, it was not easily recovered.
25 minutes in the first half.
Sloshing-!
The Netherlands actually succeeded in scoring an additional goal.
[… The shot goes into an exquisite course and the Netherlands makes the score 2:0.]
[South Korea is off to a very difficult start, allowing two goals to the opponent early on.]
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The moment the net shook again, the fighting spirit disappeared from the eyes of the Korean players.
Even though the game wasn’t over, my eyes caught the sight of the Korean players looking like losers.
It’s a scene I’ve seen almost every time I’ve played for the Korean national team for over 200 years.
Is it because there was a bit of hope and desperation in this episode?
The moment I saw the players giving up the game, anger welled up deep in my heart.
I wanted to curse at them right away.
In my heart, I wanted to grab him by the collar and throw him to the ground.
But I didn’t do that.
I just didn’t say anything. Ignoring the players who lowered their heads, he took the ball out of the goal and walked slowly to the center circle.
I could see my colleagues lowering their heads even more at my angry appearance.
I didn’t care.
The Dutch celebration is over.
The referee blew the whistle and the game resumed.
“Give me the ball!”
After kicking off, I kicked the ball to Jinsu Kim. The ball was returned.
Although Kim Jin-su had a puzzled expression on his face. I obediently sent the ball down to my feet.
As soon as I took off the pressing Dutch player with a gentle turn.
I ran straight to the front.
I could see both the national team players and the Netherlands players looking confused by my sudden action.
“W-what?!”
Let’s break through one after another by feeding nut mags to the legs of the Dutch defenders who are blocking.
Before I knew it, I was near the penalty box.
Let world-class center back, Ruud Krol, stand in my way.
I pretended to hit a shot and folded the ball.
The cartilage screams due to the dynamic movement.
Tduduk-!
I tried to ignore the sound coming from my knees. He lost his center of gravity and passed by Ruud Krol, who had fallen to the ground, and entered the penalty box.
I hit the shot.
The ball passed the goalkeeper’s hand and hit the net.
“Waaaaa-!”
The cheers of the Korean crowd can be heard at the chasing goal.
I picked up the ball in the net and ran straight to the center circle.
