My Girlfriend Wants Victory

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The first half came to an end.

“Don’t hang your heads!”

The old man scolded the dejected players.

“Listen carefully, Liverpool did it. And unlike us, who are only 2 points down, Liverpool conceded 3 goals in the first half!”

Sir Alex Ferguson began to motivate the players by mentioning the miracle of Istanbul.

Perhaps in the future, when the rivalry feelings fade, it won’t be the same, but fortunately, the rivalry against Liverpool was still strong, and the old man’s motivational speech came to a successful close.

As the old man continued speaking, the defeated look in the players’ eyes slowly began to dissipate.

Just as I nodded along, seeing the players rekindle their fighting spirit, the old man approached me.

“Jinho.”

As the old man came closer, I quickly reflected on whether I had played poorly in the first half.

‘There was nothing wrong with my first-half play.’

However, contrary to my worries, the old man lightly patted my shoulder and spoke in a warm voice.

“Don’t worry too much about winning or losing, just enjoy the game.”

I couldn’t hide my flustered feelings at the kind voice ringing in my ears.

What’s this?

Is he unwell?

***

Sir Alex Ferguson approached Son Jinho to explain the tactics for the second half.

“Jinho.”

But in that moment, Ferguson saw the burden-laden expression on Son Jinho’s face.

‘He’s only 21, huh?’

Recalling Son Jinho’s age, Ferguson quickly changed his mind.

Instead of placing the burden of tactics solely on Son Jinho, he simply wanted him to enjoy the game.

“Don’t worry too much about winning or losing, just enjoy the game.”

Although he would retire at the end of the season.

Son Jinho’s football journey was just about to begin.

He only hoped that Son Jinho wouldn’t be crushed by the weight of expectations due to his own ambitions.

***

[The second half will begin with Manchester United’s kickoff.]

As soon as the second half began, Manchester United launched a counterattack.

[Their concentration on the ball is fantastic. Manchester United pressed immediately to regain possession after losing it.]

Having already spent a lot of energy from overexertion in the first half.

The Manchester United players decided to burn every last bit of their remaining stamina as soon as the second half started.

And in the 5th minute of the second half.

Sadio Mané caught the ball on the right flank and attempted a cross.

[Mané’s cross!]

[Oh? Mané’s cross flows back instead!]

Son Jinho, who had sprinted from outside the penalty box, successfully slotted it in directly.

[Go, gooooooooal!]

[Son Jinho’s fantastic volley shake the net of FC Barcelona!!]

***

Gerard Piqué cursed inwardly.

‘Puta Madre.’

After conceding the opening goal to Son Jinho right at the start of the second half, the atmosphere in the stadium shifted instantly.

Manchester United began to fiercely press FC Barcelona as if it were their home ground.

As Manchester United’s attacking line went wild, the defensive line started to wobble.

At that moment, Gerard Piqué was breached by Son Jinho and committed a foul, accepting a warning.

It was dangerous to let Son Jinho go free like this.

With Piqué’s hand gripping Son Jinho’s jersey, Jinho lost his balance and fell to the ground.

But even while getting caught by Piqué, Son Jinho did not lose focus on the ball.

Despite being in a position that compromised his balance, he successfully managed to make a pass.

It was a slightly inaccurate pass, but nonetheless, the ball safely connected with Robin van Persie.

Seeing the ball arrive at Robin van Persie, the referee declared Manchester United’s advantage.

Mascherano attempted a tackle to stop Robin van Persie’s shot.

Receiving a pass inside the penalty box, Robin van Persie cleverly tripped over Mascherano’s legs.

The referee pointed to the penalty spot, declaring a penalty kick.

“This bastard fell on purpose!”

Mascherano protested to the referee with an unfair expression, but the referee shook his head firmly and pulled out the warning previously issued to Gerard Piqué.

Having earned the penalty, Robin van Persie turned to Cristiano Ronaldo.

Noticing Van Persie’s gaze, Ronaldo nodded and willingly gave up the penalty kick to Son Jinho.

He recognized that the atmosphere of the game was changing around Son Jinho.

“Jinho.”

“What?”

“You take it.”

For the team’s victory, Ronaldo generously handed the penalty kick to Son Jinho.

‘Today, there are a lot of sick people.’

Son Jinho looked at Cristiano Ronaldo with a face that wondered what he had eaten wrong. After all, the Ronaldo he knew would never be the type to give up his own chance.

Then, a moment later, as Robin van Persie moved out of the penalty box, Cristiano Ronaldo whispered to Son Jinho while handing him the ball.

“Son Jinho, since I’m giving you the penalty kick, you must succeed. Lionel Messi should not be the top scorer in the Champions League.”

Son Jinho nodded with a look of understanding.

“I got it. Now let go of the ball.”

He responded while looking at Ronaldo, who still held onto the ball.

“It’s not my will, Son Jinho… my hand won’t let go of the ball.”

Son Jinho glanced at Ronaldo, who was spewing nonsense.

And the moment he looked into Ronaldo’s unwavering eyes.

‘Does this guy… really not let go of the ball against his will?’

Son Jinho realized that Ronaldo’s words were indeed true.

***

[Son Jinho is preparing for the penalty kick.]

[Yes, as far as I remember, this penalty kick was supposed to be taken by Ronaldo. It looks like he has given it to Son Jinho, who is in a scoring race with Lionel Messi in the Champions League.]

[The pressure of a penalty kick, often called a 11M Russian Roulette, is enormous. Can Son Jinho succeed at this crucial moment in the Champions League final? It’s a tense moment! He shoots! Son Jinho!!]

[GoOOOOOAL! It’s in! Son Jinho calmly converts the penalty kick!]

[We can do it! We can make it happen! Miracles are possible!!!]

[Son Jinho ties the score at 2-2! He successfully brings the game back to square one!!]

***

Just 10 minutes into the second half, Manchester United managed to bring the game back to level.

They tried to build on their momentum to get a go-ahead goal, but failed to convert as they were blocked by FC Barcelona’s resistance.

With the score at 2-2, as time flew by.

At last, in the 21st minute of the second half.

The energy level of the Manchester United players was gradually decreasing.

FC Barcelona slowly began to raise their pace.

As the game started to swing toward Barcelona, Sir Alex Ferguson proceeded with player substitutions.

Michael Carrick came in to replace the fatigued Sami Khedira.

And Darren Fletcher was brought in to bolster the team’s energy level in place of Sadio Mané, who assisted the opening goal.

Now, with one substitution card left.

‘Should I take Jinho out?’

Sir Alex Ferguson’s gaze landed on Son Jinho, who was panting heavily.

Rationally, it would be right to substitute the player who had run the most among everyone, showing clear signs of exhaustion, but.

Jinho’s performances so far made Alex Ferguson hesitate.

And ultimately, Ferguson couldn’t bring himself to substitute Son Jinho.

– You can trust Jinho a little longer. He’s a player who meets the coach’s expectations.

It was because he recalled the conversation he had with Jürgen Klopp during the quarterfinals of the Champions League.

‘Hoo. To rely on someone else’s words at such an important moment, I’m getting really old.’

Alex Ferguson smirked wryly to himself and approached Michael Carrick, who was preparing to come onto the pitch.

“Tell Jinho he can ease up on defensive duties and conserve as much energy as possible.”

***

As the substitutes entered, Manchester United switched to a three-back formation.

They were set up with Virgil van Dijk – Michael Carrick – Jonny Evans as a three-back.

With the full-backs joining the midfield battle, it lightened my defensive load.

Following the changed formation, I advanced to a slightly higher position.

Positioned just below the newly formed striker pair of Robin van Persie and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Thus, it became clear what the old man hoped for me.

‘Does he want me to avoid defense and aim for scoring?’

Michael Carrick came over and conveyed the old man’s message.

I nodded and began to conserve energy.

However, the fierce onslaught from FC Barcelona continued.

Just as I involuntarily began to retreat into Manchester United’s territory to support them.

“Jinho, stay put! We’ll somehow get you the ball!”

I heard Virgil van Dijk’s voice.

Encouraged by Van Dijk’s resolute voice, I began to trust my teammates and wait.

As the regular time came to an end and the assistant referee raised the board for added time.

Finally, the fruits of patience arrived.

Michael Carrick, having escaped the pressure from Ivan Rakitić and Andrés Iniesta, passed the ball to me.

Due to the interference from the FC Barcelona players, Michael Carrick’s pass was slightly inaccurate.

But it didn’t matter.

Having conserved my energy, I reached a limit and began to sprint towards the ball, ignoring my quaking legs.

“──!”

And the moment I successfully caught the ball.

Surrounding noise slowly faded away, and the players’ movements became sharp and clear.

I sensed someone’s presence behind me and simultaneously attempted a drag back.

Successfully escaping Mascherano’s tackle.

He slid smoothly past the ball with his attempting sliding tackle.

Though the angle for a shot opened up as I dodged Mascherano’s tackle, I decided to push further instead of shooting.

Gerard Piqué, caught by my unexpected movement, lost his balance and fell.

As I entered the penalty box, I saw the oncoming Marc-André ter Stegen rushing out, narrowing the shooting angle.

Dan Alves and Mascherano sprinted in to cover.

Due to the pressing time, I prepared to shoot immediately.

Memories of everything that had happened since my return flashed before my eyes like a lightning bolt.

The emotions from the day I reunited with Gyeouri and the overwhelming feeling when Haeun was born.

– Haeun, what is that? For Daddy?

– No, this is Mommy’s.

And although we usually bicker, the sight of our family taking care of each other unconsciously came to mind.

A smile unconsciously spread across my lips.

Throwing away my burdens, I aimed for ter Stegen’s side and took the shot.

The ball, leaving my toes, slipped past ter Stegen and shook the net.

I ran toward the corner flag where the flames of joy were beginning to rise, looking up at the sky with my arms raised high.

“─!”

And in that moment, the cheers of Manchester United and Dortmund fans echoed throughout the stadium.

***

The moment Son Jinho’s shot rattled the net of FC Barcelona.

[Manchester United pulls FC Barcelona down from the throne!]

The commentators, watching the roaring Son Jinho, cried out.