Weird Defender Joo Ji-Tae

Chapter 28

28 – Bias

028

The match, where lackluster attacks were exchanged, ended the first half with a score of 0:0.

For the spectators at the venue or those watching through broadcasts, it must have been a boring and uninteresting game.

No goals, considered the flower of football, were scored, nor were there any eye-catching on-the-ball plays or pass plays that viewers might find enjoyable. It seemed to be just a first half filled with mediocre attacks.

However, for scouts, especially those present at the stadium, it was different.

What might have been a dull and boring match for the public looked entirely different to the eyes of experts.

“Incredible. Not just a player skilled in on-the-ball plays.”

“He’s naturally intelligent in football. If this continues, we might have to raise the evaluations more than we thought.”

Even for those in the football industry, there are things that are difficult to grasp properly unless seen on the field.

It’s not about spirit, determination, or competitiveness; it refers to a set of abilities commonly referred to as ‘football intelligence.’

Undoubtedly, public attention revolves around the ‘ball,’ and naturally, the broadcast is also centered around the ball.

In other words, it focuses on the overall play centered around the player with the ball.

However, in football, as much as the on-the-ball play, or perhaps even more crucially in modern football, is the off-the-ball movement.

Whether it’s an individual player’s off-the-ball movement or a team’s tactical off-the-ball play, the movement of players without the ‘ball’ is truly the essence of modern football tactics.

From that perspective, for those watching the game through the broadcast, there is little interest or knowledge about how players without the ‘ball’ move.

The camera only captures the area around the ball! How can you see movements that are not visible? It’s only possible to make guesses.

But when you watch the game live at the stadium, you can understand.

The movements without the ball. Perhaps more crucial than when a player has the ball.

In that sense, the scouts who visited the stadium today were certain about one thing.

“What made the game uninteresting was Ju Ji-tae. If that player wasn’t there, there would have been a more lively attack, and maybe even more goals. He blocked all offensive operations from unseen places.”

It’s precisely Ju Ji-tae’s skill.

The scouts had no doubt that the upcoming second half would also be Ju Ji-tae’s solo stage.

Until a certain player who had been quiet started moving actively.

—

The halftime locker room scene is always similar.

Players eating bananas, receiving massages, sitting and returning to the game… and the coach’s passionate tactical instructions.

“You’re doing well. But it’s not enough. Play the game while recalling what you did against Argentina! Be proactive! Try adventurous plays. Facing Ghana, it’s not that difficult, right?”

“Oh, Coach. I feel a bit tired.”

Interrupting the coach’s encouraging words was the team’s leading striker, Park Hye-chan.

Standing tall at over 190 centimeters, Park Hye-chan was the tallest field player in the national team and excelled in post-play, but facing the Ghana players, he judged it would be tough to enjoy the game.

“Not at all?”

“Not to that extent… I can endure it to some extent.”

The coach’s gaze, lost in thought for a moment, scanned the players.

Then, his eyes fell on a particular player.

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“Jae-shin. You were playing from a lower position than usual today. Is it more comfortable there?”

It was Cho Jae-shin, who had been playing rather passively today.

Cho Jae-shin, who usually sat quietly next to the youngest, was startled and stood up awkwardly.

“Yes, yes? Oh, well… “

“Yes. Playing as a slouched forward is more comfortable. The front line is tough because the Ghana players are like gangsters.”

When Ju Ji-tae, who was next to him, answered instead, Jang Ki-seok nodded as if he had expected it.

Even Park Hye-chan, the most physically fit player on the national team, is struggling, not to mention Jo Jae-shin.

‘What to do. Even if we try to comfort someone who says it’s not working, they won’t be able to play properly… We need to give strength to both sides and entrust penetration.’

Half-time is too short to ponder for a long time.

Jang Ki-seok, who had decided to start the second half like this and vary the situation while watching,

“Coach. Jaeshin is confident in his playmaking.”

Ju Ji-tae opened his mouth again.

“Playmaking?”

“Yes. He was amazing at playmaking even in middle school. He does well even if he’s placed in the 1.5 line, overshadowed by scoring ability.”

“Hmm…”

Come to think of it…

‘In the Asian Cup, he was the team’s top in big chance playmaking per game.’

Looking back at player analysis data and training moments, the combination play was impressive.

However,

“Jaeshin is good at linking and playmaking, I know. But if the opponents sit back tightly, there’s no space behind.”

No matter how good the playmaking ability is, it’s useless if the opponents are sitting so tight. There won’t be space for the player who digs in to receive the pass, let alone space to pass.

However, Ju Ji-tae confidently smiled as if he had been waiting for that statement.

“Oh, that’s okay. In the second half, they’ll definitely come forward.”

“What? Based on what evidence?”

As if waiting for the coach’s question, Ju Ji-tae answered briefly.

“They also want to advance to the Round of 16.”

“Round of 16… Right, points!”

The second game in the group stage after playing three games.

Unlike Korea, which has a comfortable lead with one win against the formidable opponent Argentina, Ghana is in a hurry. They must win at least one to aim for the Round of 16. If they draw this game again, the next opponent will be Argentina.

Even if they were beaten badly by Korea, there would be a lot of pressure to guarantee a victory against ‘Argentina’.

Jang Ki-seok’s eyes sparkled.

Second half.

As expected, Ju Ji-tae captured the attention of scouts early on.

“It seems that Ghana is coming out more aggressively. We can find out more clearly.”

“I want to see how they handle the situation in the competition and their performance in aerial duels.”

Needing a victory in this match, Ghana aggressively pursued goals through offensive substitutions as soon as the second half began, naturally putting pressure on the Korean defense.

Simultaneously, Ju Ji-tae became engrossed, his exaggerated shouts and gestures easily visible from a distance.

“Come on, the fools are coming again! Everyone focus! Don’t worry about the back; I’ll take care of it. Charge in without hesitation! Ghana, rise, and go, Europe!!”

“Go, go!”

“Hmm. Is that Korean? I don’t know the meaning, but the players’ response is impressive. Truly a born leader.”

Despite Ghana aggressively attacking to the point of questioning the team that seemed dormant in the first half, they proved futile against Ju Ji-tae.

Although crossing the halfway line was effortless, penetrating Korea’s final third, considered a scoring opportunity, was consistently thwarted by Ji-tae, and the attacks were repeatedly extinguished without much vigor.

Then came the second half.

There was a player who captured the attention of scouts, who had been solely focused on Ju Ji-tae.

“Huh? The possession is even, but Korea’s attack has become threatening, hasn’t it? Is that player the reason?”

Exploiting the vulnerable spaces behind Ghana, which inevitably occurred as they pushed up for goals, was player Cho Jae-shin.

Even though Ji-tae consistently delivered forward passes in the first half, Cho Jae-shin, who couldn’t showcase much due to Ghana’s overall defensive stance, exhibited dazzling performances.

Not only did he score the first and last goals of this match, stealing the goal from Korea’s original ace, Yoo Gi-tae,

“Well… Both have insane detailed statistics.”

To the extent of redirecting the attention of scouts who had been focused on Ji-tae.

Successful Passes 124/136 (91%)

Successful Dribbles 2/2 (100%)

Chances Created 1

Touches 153

Accurate Long Passes 8/10 (80%)

Successful Tackles 2

Clearances 3

Interceptions 5

Recoveries 12

Ground Duels Won 5/5 (100%)

Aerial Duels Won 2/3 (66%)

Assist 1

Pass Success 71/83 (86%)

Dribble Success 4/5 (80%)

Key Passes 4

Big Chance Creations 2

xA 0.8

Attacking Third Passes 47

Accurate Long Passes 4

* * *

Jo Jaeshin stared quietly at his smartphone screen.

“Against Ghana, a hard-fought victory at the end!”

“2 matches, 2 wins, advancing to the Sweet 16 in the Janggiseokho! Now aiming for the top of the group!”

“After the dominant win against Argentina, a hard-fought victory against Ghana?”

“Why has the performance declined?”

Whether winning or losing, articles always poured in after a match. Typically, after a defeat, articles analyzing the reasons for the loss flooded in, while after a victory, a variety of topics were covered. However, this time was a bit different.

“Countless scouts flock to the stadium.”

“Who is the future star capturing the attention of big clubs?”

“‘He’s already a complete player’ – Shocking statement from the hero of the hour?”

Immediately after the match, it became a hot topic that an unusually large number of scouts visited the stadium.

“Libero Ju Jitae emerges in Korea!”

“The 17-year-old youngest, possessing the qualities of becoming the best defender.”

“German scouts praise, ‘He is the second Franz Beckenbauer!'”

Subsequently, the interest in Ju Jitae, revealed by the journalists who caught wind of the news, swept through the football scene.

As Jo Jaeshin silently skimmed through the headlines, his gaze turned to the side.

“Hey, this is weird. We clearly played together, so why do you have so many articles, and I don’t? I did well in playmaking too. I even assisted. It’s really strange.”

Ju Jitae, who was looking at the screen together, awkwardly chuckled.

“To be honest, I didn’t expect this. I thought you would get attention too… It seems like the reporters are fixated on Beckenbauer, huh?”

“Is that the end of your excuse?”

“Not yet.”

“Then go on.”

“Honestly, this isn’t my fault. Agree?”

“…”

“Someone said it before, didn’t they? Because it hurts, it’s called youth. Does it hurt? Then what’s youth…”

“What else. I need to let someone, Miss So-and-So next to me, know that you’re a pervert who looks for women’s panty pictures every morning.”

Locking eyes.

“…It’s not like that.”

“Well, it clearly was women’s panties. Stop lying.”