It seemed like the best way to go up against Kagawa, an attacking midfielder, was to switch positions.
But rushing into a tactical change during an important match was too risky.
No sensible coach would allow such a move.
So, Ho-young chose the next best option: operating in a free role.
In simple terms, a play style not confined to a specific role.
It meant performing not only his own position but also taking on the duties of a midfielder or even a defender, depending on the situation. It required brilliance and sharp decision-making.
"Let's do this."
Bring it on, Kagawa!
With his determination written all over his face, Ho-young prowled between the front line and midfield like a hyena on the hunt.
'Just let me catch you slipping.'
The target appeared on the radar in the 7th minute of the first half.
The dull game suddenly lost its rhythm and the tempo began to rise rapidly.
Japan, who had been focused on defense, finally brought out their weapons.
"Kagawa!"
Tap.
Wing-back Nagamoto slid in a low pass to Kagawa.
It was a sharp ball that cleverly avoided any interception paths and sliced through space.
But just then.
"Kagawa, behind you!"
As if he had been waiting, Ho-young came charging toward Kagawa like a madman.
With a glance to the side, Kagawa sensed it.
'He's fast.'
But there was no way he'd lose the ball to some short kid like that, so he cut across the center toward the box.
'A striker pressing this far up? I know he's fast and has a strong shot, but he's not known for his defense. Then maybe...'
It was confidence stemming from his superb ball control.
But regardless, Ho-young chased closely behind the dribbling Kagawa at a fast tempo.
Watching from the bench, Lee Sang-woon yelled out.
"Hey! What the hell are you doing that deep!"
Thud.
"Huh?"
Contrary to Lee's concern, Kagawa lost the ball to Ho-young.
And it was far too easy and clean.
'How was that so clean?'
Following a flawless interception, Ho-young immediately launched a counterattack, and Lee Sang-woon clamped his mouth shut.
'Ahem. When did he get so good at defending?'
Sharp Interceptions (B).
The talent he inherited from Casemiro was proving to be a huge asset to his game.
'Now this is a real dark horse.'
Like an eagle snatching prey, Ho-young had a natural instinct for perfect tackling timing.
Kagawa, at 14, only had C-grade touch, and his ball retention was worse than expected.
There was no way he could take on Ho-young in a direct duel.
Kagawa's face flushed with embarrassment.
To lose the ball so easily to a forward, not even a defender, was a humiliation he had never experienced before.
It stung even more because he had always been the centerpiece of his team's expectations.
Frustrated, he kept trying to break through for the rest of the first half but was repeatedly shut down by Ho-young.
"Why! Why isn't it working?!"
All he could feel was an indescribable wall.
3 minutes into the second half.
While Kagawa fumed, Ho-young was grinning.
'Got it.'
He had fulfilled Condition 2: stealing the ball five times.
Now, only one remained.
'Just need to win the match.'
Ignoring his position, Ho-young had dropped all the way back to the third line and took possession of the ball.
"I was about to suffocate out there."
He had been conserving energy by contributing to defense up till now.
All for this very moment, to break into a sprint.
Swoosh.
Ho-young charged forward across the grass like a bulldozer, knocking everything aside.
But Japan was more prepared this time. Their defensive line had tightened up considerably.
They also adjusted their line slightly upward to block Ho-young's signature mid-range shot and deny him a clear shooting angle.
That was all part of the Japanese coach's plan.
Up to that point, it was perfect.
But instead of shooting, Ho-young made a pass back.
"Return!"
"Go!"
Park Wan-kyu from the back sent a return pass into the open space behind the defense.
Ho-young instantly outran the center-back and chased after the ball.
[Ah!! A one-two into the slight gap behind the defense! Ho-young! He shoots! Shoooooooots!]
Thump!
But it didn't result in a goal.
His confident mid-range strike was punched away by the goalkeeper, and it looked like the rare counterattack would be snuffed out.
But right then, for the second ball...
"Hyup!"
Suk Hyun-jun, positioned by the far post, leapt and met the rebound with his forehead, sending it into the net.
Thud!
"Nice."
Ho-young gave him a thumbs up.
[Ah! It's a goal! Suk Hyun-jun's header gives Korea the lead!]
[Yes, that counterattack was the perfect release after all that pent-up pressure. It worked brilliantly! Ho-young was all over the pitch and finally made it count!]
While the commentators couldn't contain their excitement, Japan sank into silence after conceding.
All that carefully built defensive effort crumbled in an instant. They could only feel devastated.
And the worst part?
It was only the 4th minute of the second half.
There were still 21 minutes left to play.
Whistle!
[The match is over! It was nerve-wracking in the first half, but it turns out we had nothing to worry about. Ho-young scores one and assists one in the second half. What an outstanding performance.]
[Yes. This match might be a turning point. Not only did he attack, but he showed excellent defensive skills too. It may be early to say, but perhaps Ho-young could grow into a regista like Pirlo or a playmaker like Maradona.]
Final score: 3-0, victory for Cha Bum-kun Football Academy.
Just looking at the 14 shots on target in the second half told the story. It was a one-sided match.
Japan couldn't do anything but defend before it all ended.
So, for Ho-young, the joy was sweeter than ever.
He shared the victory with his teammates.
"Let's go to the final!"
"Woooooo!!!"
And then.
[Select the talent you wish to obtain.]
- Delicate Ball Touch (C+)
- Space Utilization Off the Ball Movement (C)
'Obviously the C+ one. That makes this number eight, right?'
Choosing Delicate Ball Touch, Ho-young checked his current talents.
[Ho-young]
[Possessed Talents: Football Prodigy (B+), Powerful Long Shot (C+), Fitness Enthusiast's Muscular Build (C), Stylish Curved Free Kick (C-), Chaminator's Run and Drive (U), Legs Faster than a Lamborghini (A), Sharp Interceptions (B), Delicate Ball Touch (C+)]
It wasn't over yet.
By playing just 20 more minutes with Suk Hyun-jun in the final, he could unlock [Fully Open Growth Plates (B+)] as well.
"Phew. Now I can finally take a breather."
After fully enjoying the victory, Ho-young walked toward the halfway line.
He reached out a hand to Kagawa, who was slumped down with his head lowered.
"Sniff."
Kagawa took his hand, stood up, and muttered through swallowed tears.
"I'll beat you next time."
Though he said it in Japanese, and the words didn't really get through, Ho-young could feel the meaning.
Call it reading between the lines, but either way, the two of them were sure to grow stronger after today.
After completing the Man of the Match interview, Ho-young returned to the locker room and approached the coach.
"Coach. Who's our opponent in the final?"
"It's either Brazil or Germany. We're hoping it's Brazil. Once it's decided, we'll head out to observe."
Soon, the Cha Bum-kun Academy squad sat in the stands to watch the next match.
"So the winner here is who we'll face in the semis, huh."
It was São Paulo FC of Brazil versus VFB Stuttgart of Germany.
The game turned out to be completely one-sided.
Stuttgart, who had won all four previous matches, was scoring effortlessly.
There was a clear reason why they were considered overwhelming favorites.
'That's no kid. That's practically a high schooler...'
Ho-young was born in '93.
Meanwhile, Germany had six players born in '88 who hadn't yet had their birthdays.
That meant they were already 15 years old in Korean age.
With German kids over 170 cm dominating the pitch, São Paulo couldn't do anything.
Looking at Stuttgart's squad, it was clear they had come with the title in mind.
'So they're just bulldozing with physicality.'
With Ho-young barely 130 cm, there was realistically nothing he could do alone.
Even though football is played with the feet, how do you beat guys five years older and towering over you?
'See? They keep launching aerial balls.'
In the end, São Paulo couldn't do a thing and lost 4-0.
'Hmm. With that kind of physicality, not even my speed will cut it.'
No matter how fast Ho-young was for his age group, he was still slower than those tall German players with their long strides.
And since even São Paulo was crushed, it wasn't far-fetched to assume that FC Cha Bum-kun, a lesser team, had no chance either.
He was happy to reach the final, but there was a lot on his mind.
The next morning arrived.
The long-awaited final that would close the tournament was just around the corner.
As expected of a final, the Seoul World Cup Stadium was packed with more fans than anticipated, including members of Ho-young's fan club.
"Let's go, Ho-young!"
"You can do it!"
On the pitch.
Players from both teams emerged from the tunnel and stepped onto the grass.
With the roaring support at his back, Ho-young glanced over at the German players.
Most had talent beyond even prodigies, and among them, one stood out.
It wasn't that he had any unique talent, but he was over 170 cm tall.
'He should be playing basketball, not football...'
Even before the game started, the players of Cha Bum-kun Academy felt the pressure.
At the youth level, the difference in physicality could easily nullify pure skill.
Which is why everyone was thinking the same thing.
'Ho-young, we're counting on you!'
That's right.
Their only hope was Ho-young.
(To be continued.)