I Became a World-Class Striker
Episode 7: The Suwon Derby
The match we had to play next was Round 3.
So what was the result of the Round 2 away match? Fortunately, a draw. But it was a match without any decisive achievement from me. Some might say it’s a shame I couldn’t really show what I’ve got.
Yet, for some reason, it was a match where I felt strangely at ease.
That’s right—this is how Lee Chang-ryong should be. It was exactly that kind of stable, reassuring match. It wasn’t a day when the luck that had struck so many times lately occurred, nor was there anything flashy; that very blandness gave me an inexplicable sense of peace.
How should I put it? You know? Like when you’ve told a lie, and your conscience pricks at you, but then you come clean, admit your fault, and feel that refreshing relief of being forgiven.
That was the feeling.
But.
The bubble… doesn’t seem to deflate as easily as I thought. Why?
“The fans have high expectations.”
“…Yeah.”
“So even when the match ended in a draw, they didn’t seem too disappointed. Incheon is… also a strong team, not much weaker than Seoul.”
In the cafeteria. At midfielder Park Won-u’s words, explaining the supporters’ mood as we ate, I nodded and thought, *Is that so?*
Well, there was already an underlying feeling that we couldn’t do well right after promotion, and since we beat Seoul in the first match, expectations were bound to be high. A feeling of not losing hope early in the season?
*We did come up from the second division with difficulty, after all….*
“That’s why we have to run hard too.”
Won-u continued, picking up the stir-fried pork from his tray. Certainly, the players ran hard to live up to expectations. Everyone knows that without fans, there are no players. I know that obvious truth well, but how should I put it….
“Phew….”
As I thought… I can’t just do this half-heartedly. Is this the weight of a first-division player?
“Are you worried?”
At the voice of defender Park Chan-seong sitting across from me, I nodded. Of course I’m worried. Now it looks like I’ve suddenly gained skill. Honestly, I’m terrified that the fans or my parents will see my originally clumsy self and be disappointed.
But then.
“Well, the next Round 3 match is the Suwon Derby.”
“Huh?”
Unexpected words flowed from Park Chan-seong’s mouth.
“Chang-ryong, you’re worried about that, right? Phew. I’m worried too.”
“Ah….”
Thanks to that, I remembered the next match I had momentarily forgotten. Now that I think about it, it’s the Suwon Derby, right?
*Suwon Samsung….*
Suwon Samsung Bluewings, whom we couldn’t meet when we were in the second division. Unlike Suwon FC, a citizen club, that club was backed by Samsung, a massive corporate sponsor. Although they shared the same hometown, they were clearly a different team, which is why many fans had long dreamed of that matchup.
Suwon FC VS Suwon Samsung Bluewings.
How should I put it—a duel between a conglomerate and an SME? That’s the kind of feeling it gave off. Anyway, it was a matchup that evoked strange emotions. A dream match that I couldn’t have even imagined back in the second division.
Right, a dream match… Well, in European football, teams from the same hometown often fight tooth and nail too.
“I took a quick look at the online communities, and the fans are in a serious battle of pride. Ugh, it’s scary, I tell you.”
“A battle of pride?”
“You know. Who’s better than who. That kind of thing.”
*Well, it starts with something childish like that, but….*
A derby definitely needs a story to be fun. But since the two teams hadn’t even played a proper match yet, there was no such backstory. Still, the fans were grinding their teeth, eager to make some fun history this time.
Clatter—
“In a match like that, if we lose.”
“Lose?”
“We might… get cursed out a lot.”
“Get cursed out a lot?”
When midfielder Yang Hyeok-hyung, who had been eating quietly, said that, all eyes turned to him.
“Munch, munch—Just look at the Super Match. Seoul and Suwon.”
“Well, they really do fight tooth and nail in that one.”
“The saying ‘the stadium explodes’ fits perfectly.”
The Super Match between FC Seoul and Suwon Samsung Bluewings is widely regarded as the fiercest and most popular derby in K League 1. It’s fierce enough that even I know of it. The fans are intense, too.
“But we beat that Seoul.”
“Ah.”
“Uh.”
“…Huh?”
At Yang Hyeok-hyung’s words, everyone gaped. Park Won-u and Park Chan-seong looked surprised, while I tilted my head with a questioning expression.
“It seems our fans went and provoked them. Saying stuff like, ‘Your Blue-White-Red Army (Suwon Samsung Bluewings) couldn’t beat Seoul~’ and all.”
“Goodness….”
I hadn’t watched the first division closely last season because I was focused on the second, but Suwon Samsung Bluewings had indeed been crushed by FC Seoul. To mock a team with such a painful experience in that teasing tone—the online communities must have truly heated up.
“This might not be a simple derby. It’s a war. A war.”
“…….”
My back grew damp. I realized that beating Seoul… enjoying it at the time… wasn’t an unconditionally good thing.
*If we lose this match, am I finished? Really?*
In this atmosphere, it might not be a simple matter of getting cursed out. If I messed up and we suffered a miserable defeat… double curses, curses at my parents, and even empty bottles might come flying.
And that match… my parents are really coming to watch. Damn it.
“Besides, it’s a home match.”
“…….”
Ugh, I feel like I’m going to choke on my rice.
I let out deep sighs for no reason and stabbed my spoon repeatedly into my plain rice. Seeing that, the other players comforted me, saying, “Don’t stress too much.” It felt like they were comforting me with a different meaning, so I felt strange, but comfort was comfort. I nodded and forced myself to scoop rice into my mouth.
* * *
Boom!
Boom, boom!
“Hoi! Hoi! Su-won! Sam-sung!”
“Hoi! Hoi! Blue-wings!”
2021 Season, Round 3.
Match day between Suwon FC and Suwon Samsung Bluewings. Even though it was Suwon FC’s home stadium, there were a lot of away fans from Suwon Samsung Bluewings.
They had been in the first division for a long time. It was only natural that they had higher recognition and more supporters. The match hadn’t even started yet, but they showed up with drums and janggu, so the home fans who had come to cheer today looked a bit intimidated.
But that was only for a moment.
Pooo! Poooo!
“Suwon FC!”
“Invincible Suwon!! We’re taking the name Suwon!”
They responded to the away fans with equally provocative chants, and at that heated display, the staff members were reminded once again of how important this match was, gulping nervously.
If the atmosphere outside was like this, what about the players waiting inside the stadium?
“The cheering can be heard all the way here….”
“Right?”
“Still, it’s a relief we have fans cheering for our team. Chang-ryong, did you see? Your picture was hanging in front of the stadium. It was bigger than last time. Ooh~ jealous?”
“It’s… a bit like that, right?”
“No. The PR team head took a good photo. Good Photoshop too. Back a few years ago, my skin was—”
*So that’s why they took it—to promote the uniforms….*
My face was plastered on a huge banner outside the stadium. I had wondered, *Will anyone buy uniforms even if they make this?*
*I can’t believe they actually sold. And way more than I expected.*
They said 500 sold during the last match. There are soccer fans who buy uniforms, of course… but I was surprised they bought so many.
A huge banner and uniforms… and now I thought they might even sell food named after me at the concession stand. My shoulders felt heavy again. I really… feel like I’m being treated like some amazing player….
Still.
*Phew. I don’t want to lose today’s match. At worst, a draw would be nice.*
More than any other match, I wanted to win today. The Suwon Derby. It’s a match between teams in the same hometown… a match for pride.
So.
*I’ll do my best… and run hard.*
Huh? Some might tilt their heads at that, but this season, I’ve always run with the same goal. No matter how hard I train, I don’t improve, and I’m not particularly talented.
So I always resolved in my heart to do well, to not be a burden to my team, and stepped onto the pitch.
“Let’s go.”
“…….”
At the words of Suwon FC’s captain, goalkeeper Lee Yu-chan, I stood up and exited the tunnel. Then, the Suwon Samsung Bluewings players in their white uniforms came into view.
And as expected, they were conscious of us. Was it because we’re from the same Suwon? Or was it scorn, saying we’re not on your level? I don’t know exactly. But it was definitely not a friendly gaze. Of course, players I was personally close with extended their hands and exchanged greetings, but….
*They don’t want to lose either.*
Players from both teams, holding the hands of children prepared for the pitch walk, slowly began to move.
Thud— Thud—
*I’m nervous.*
My heart pounded.
Waaaaaaaah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And at the tremendous roar that rang out, my head spun.
* * *
=The K League 1 Round 3 match between Suwon FC and Suwon Samsung Bluewings is about to begin.
=The Suwon Derby, which many fans have been looking forward to, has begun today.
=Suwon FC, promoted from the second division to the first, is showing formidable depth and good form; wouldn’t Suwon Samsung be the same?
=That’s right. They also won their last match with a clean sheet. We look forward to seeing a wonderful display in today’s Suwon Derby.
=Players from both teams are taking their positions and preparing for kickoff.
Beeeeep———
=The match begins with Suwon FC’s kickoff!
Thud—
Waaaaaaaah!!!!!!!!!!!!!
=Truly many fans have taken their seats today. I’ve heard that Suwon FC’s home stands are sold out.
=That shows how much interest there is. Ah! As I speak, midfielder Yang Hyeok skillfully strikes the ball and runs, pushing it straight to Lee Chang-ryong! Lee Chang-ryong lightly passes with his back foot, and straight to a shooooot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Hup!”
Boooooom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“!!”
Thud!
=Quietly saved by Suwon Samsung’s goalkeeper, Baek Un-seok.
=Suwon FC is showing formidable spirit today. That sharp shot from Park Won-u just now was like a spear.
=As we saw earlier, defenders are swarming Lee Chang-ryong.
=That’s why Lee Chang-ryong cleverly made a heel pass to Park Won-u behind him, and Park Won-u, spotting the gap, struck it right away!
=Great teamwork. They are indeed players worth watching.
Certainly.
Today, the Suwon Samsung Bluewings players were targeting me. The reason was simple. I was the goal-scorer on our team, the primary striker replacing Jason.
“Phew—”
“…….”
“Sharp—”
So of course, players were crowding around me. And they even wore slight, relaxed expressions. *Hmph.* But their judgment was wrong.
*I’m not the primary striker.*
I’m not as amazing as you think.
Swish!
“Nice pass! Chang-ryong!”
*Thumbs up. Thanks, Won-u. Thumbs up to you too!*
My pass to Park Won-u just now was absolutely not intentional. I just hurriedly sent it back because two players were rushing at me. If I had tried to dribble past them or forced a chance, I would have lost it 100%.
How can I be so sure?
*Because that’s Lee Chang-ryong. And I know myself too well.*
Since my goal today is also to do my part, I will play a lot of selfless ball. Won-u and the others seem to be expecting something big from me, but to beat these Suwon Samsung guys, the other players had to get chances and open the goal too, not just me.
Thwack—
“Behind!”
“Hup—”
The opposing goalkeeper’s goal kick. We all ran vigorously near the halfway line. Because it drew quite a long arc.
* * *
Early in the match.
Coach Lee Geon-il’s expression as he watched both teams drawing a tight 0:0 picture was quite serious. He was always a coach who managed matches seriously, but today wasn’t an ordinary match—it was the Suwon Derby. As Suwon FC, and for the fans, his desire to win was greater than anyone’s.
*Suwon Samsung is definitely good.*
Suwon Samsung fights fiercely against Seoul. So their movements were formidable. Apart from the shot Park Won-u showed early on, Suwon FC hadn’t had much to show until the 14th minute of the first half.
Rather, it was Suwon Samsung Bluewings who took possession and showed threatening form, creating three shots on target.
*In a contest of strength, we’re being pushed back….*
Especially sharp was the left foot of Lee Areumdaun, who could be called Suwon’s main striker. A tall, solid player with good footwork, he had played in the J-League previously, had overseas experience, and had even been a national team player until recently.
He was of considerable age and had retired from the national team now, but that sharp mid-range shot born from experience made the hearts of Suwon FC players and fans sink.
*If so, we have to decide the match with set pieces….*
What the coach had ordered the players for this Suwon Derby was to score from set pieces. It was an emergency measure because the Suwon Samsung players were relatively agile, fast, and aggressive, and he knew their 3-5-2 formation would completely drain the Suwon FC players’ morale.
Show a defensive stance as much as possible, and when a chance comes, create a perfect chance from a set piece.
For Suwon FC, with a small squad and having just come up to the first division, that was the best option. Of course, from the fans’ perspective, it would be frustrating.
They were clamoring to give opportunities to Lee Chang-ryong, who was being praised as a good player these days, and play the fiery attacking football of old Suwon FC.
He had received some such evaluations in the last Incheon match too, but the coach became certain after watching that match.
The Suwon FC players needed time to adapt to the first division.
*Park Chan-seong, much taller than the Suwon Samsung players, will win the headers.*
Defender Park Chan-seong was over 190cm tall. It was excellent physical conditioning for winning headers, and the coach had no doubt he could see the performance he showed in the Seoul match once again.
And.
*Lee Chang-ryong is doing just fine without me telling him.*
The Lee Chang-ryong the fans expected had become a perfect decoy. Suwon Samsung seemed to already know he was Suwon’s only main striker, biting at him persistently from the start of the first half.
But Lee Chang-ryong was also truly being himself.
*Composed.*
The instinct of a striker who wants to shine when the ball comes to him. The instinct to charge forward and run—Lee Chang-ryong was suppressing it, and the coach saw that. He was convinced.
*He’s waiting for his chance. Aiming for the moment when the wall blocking him disappears.*
And that conviction… was a considerable misunderstanding. In fact, he was just playing selflessly because he didn’t want to mess up.
It was at that time, when misunderstandings were piling up as time passed.
Waaaaaaaah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
=Lee Areumdaun! He’s running! Fast! Really fast!
=The Suwon FC players can’t stop him properly! They have to stop him!
“!”
Suwon’s Lee Areumdaun had torn through Suwon FC’s defense and started running near the box.
Thanks to that, Coach Lee Geon-il’s eyes opened wide like a rabbit’s.
* * *
Swoosh—!
“Uwoooooah!!!!!!!!!!”
“Hurrah for Suwon Samsung!! Lee Areumdaun is the best!!!”
Wooooooah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The net shook.
It was truly… truly a lightning-like shot, and our team’s goalkeeper, Lee Yu-chan, couldn’t stop it. Wow—he stuck it precisely into the right corner of the goal; what could anyone do? Goalkeeper Lee Yu-chan’s expression, somewhat dazed yet dumbfounded… I understood it.
“Damn….”
“…….”
Thanks to that.
[Suwon FC 0:1 Suwon Samsung Bluewings]
We had conceded the opening goal. The fans sighed in disappointment, and our players couldn’t hide their slight bewilderment.
=Suwon Samsung scores the opening goal! Lee Areumdaun’s left-footed curler shakes the net!
=What a tremendous shot. Lee Areumdaun. Wow, it was a beautiful shot just like his name.
=That’s right. The disappointing thing is that Suwon FC’s defenders couldn’t properly mark Lee Areumdaun. He’s a player of considerable individual skill.
=His explosive run is shown again on the replay. He charges centrally, fools the opponent, and strikes with his left foot. Wow, this can’t be stopped.
“Whoa! Crazy shot!”
“Nice one, Areumdaun!”
“…….”
Watching Lee Areumdaun celebrate with a light hand kiss to the sky, my jaw clenched.
Was it because it’s a derby? Honestly, my blood was boiling a bit. And then.
“Hmph.”
*…He’s laughing?*
That hyung-nim, ten years older than me, smiles as if it’s really cute. Is that the composure that comes from experience?
“Hey! It’s only one goal, one goal!”
“We just need to equalize!”
“There’s still a lot of match left!”
Just as the players said. There was still a lot of match left. It was early in the first half, and there would surely be chances for us too.
For now, I had to wait silently for that moment. Just as the coach said.
But.
Boooooom--------------!
=He takes the ball again and straight to a shoooooot!!!!!!!
=Goooooal!!!!!!!!!!!!!
=Lee Areumdaun’s brace!! Suwon Samsung’s Lee Areumdaun scores again in just about 5 minutes!
Reality is truly cold and cruel, and sometimes it carves sharply into your heart.
When we conceded another goal after 5 minutes.
The home fans’ cheers had died down, and the Suwon FC players’ expressions were grim. And me too.
*This isn’t what I wanted….*
One side of my chest felt strange. Should I say it was burning? I didn’t want to end it like this.