[Xavi Hernández]
[Possessed Talents: Pass Master (T), Vision of the Pass Master (SU), Transcendent Passing (SSS-), Unparalleled Ball Keeping (SS+2), Explosive Kicking Power (S+3), Brilliant Tactical Understanding (S+3), Astonishing Press Resistance (S+2), Artistic Creativity (S+)
(More...)]
(When conditions are met, one talent can be coveted.)
(When coveting a T-grade Title, only a portion of the sense can be acquired. Must be at least 18 years old.)
(S-grade or higher requires completion of hidden conditions.)
(Condition 1: Play together in an international match.)
(Condition 2: Record an attacking point in this match.)
(Condition 3: Make more key passes than Xavi Hernández in this match.)
(Condition 4: Be officially selected as MOM in this match.)
(Hidden Condition: Unlocks after coveting at least one talent.)
It was a level of talent that perfectly matched the word "peak."
Moreover, the conditions had changed.
He no longer needed to wear a Barcelona shirt to covet the talent.
That meant Iniesta's talents were also within reach.
A bead of sweat ran down his forehead from the excitement.
Although Iniesta was not playing today due to injury, if the opportunity came, he could covet his talent anytime.
'For now, Xavi's talent first.'
Vision of the Pass Master.
His teammates often said it felt as though Xavi had his own exclusive passing lanes.
A vision that no one else possessed created extraordinary passes, enabled remarkable press resistance, and orchestrated the entire team.
Even a disorganized side would be refined the moment the ball touched his feet.
It was a talent he absolutely needed before the World Cup.
'If he comes on, I can do it.'
After organizing his thoughts, Ho-young shifted his gaze from the bench.
He shook hands with the Spanish players in navy kits.
It was only a friendly, but the atmosphere was anything but light.
Still, whenever they shook hands with him, the mood brightened.
"Feels different seeing you here. Even if you lose big, don't be too upset."
"It won't be easy."
"Hahaha."
From Ramos to Raúl Albiol, Alonso, Mata, and others.
Except for Reina, they all played in Spain, so he was familiar with each of them.
That made him slightly more tense than usual.
They knew him better than anyone.
Soon, the match kicked off.
[The match has begun. Spain take the kickoff on the left. Xabi Alonso receives and connects to Mata on the flank.]
[Spain are aggressive from the start. With the World Cup approaching, they seem determined to raise team morale.]
Spain were truly Spain.
Even with what was essentially a 1.5 squad, they were far superior to Korea's first team.
The midfield trio of Busquets, Xabi Alonso, and Javi Martínez completely suffocated Ki Sung-yueng and Kim Jung-hoo.
Up front, the 195-centimeter Fernando Llorente rampaged inside the box, repeatedly meeting crosses from Jesús Navas and Juan Mata.
Lee Jong-soo and Cho Yong-hyung lacked the physicality and ability to contain him easily.
Moreover, Llorente, competing with Torres and Villa for a starting spot, ran relentlessly to secure his place.
Goals followed at roughly 20-minute intervals.
[The real problem wasn't finishing, it was defense. What are they doing out there?]
└ It's Spain. Be realistic. This isn't about defense, it's about level. We're not aiming to win the World Cup.
└ But this is Spain's 1.5 squad.
└ What's more expensive, 14k gold or top-grade copper? Even at half effort, the gap shows.
Online opinions were divided.
All arguments had merit.
Del Bosque had fielded a 1.5 squad to avoid injuries, but he had never told them to take it easy.
If it had been an ordinary Asian side, perhaps.
But Korea was different.
No, Ho-young was different.
Underestimating them could lead to defeat.
Losing momentum before the World Cup was unacceptable.
Before kickoff, Del Bosque had told his players:
"Korea are not easy opponents. A one-man team can be even trickier. But if you know how to deal with them, it's simple. Stop that one player. If we want to beat Italy, Germany, and Brazil to win the World Cup, we must handle a team like Korea comfortably. Otherwise, pack your bags."
The Ho-young at Real Madrid and the Ho-young in the national team were clearly different.
If they targeted that difference well, the objective was achievable.
The goal was not just victory.
It was a convincing win.
As a result, Spain went into halftime leading 2-0 through goals from Llorente and Navas.
One more goal, and they planned to conserve energy late in the match.
The second half began.
[The second half is underway. Spain now attack from the right. Fernando Torres circulates the ball at the back.]
[Torres replaces Llorente and pushes up front. It looks like they intend to attempt line-breaking through killer passes.]
[There are many changes in Spain's shape.]
David Silva and Xavi Hernández entered midfield, shifting the attacking style.
No longer aerial, now ground-based.
[Who should we focus on now?]
[All the substitutes are world-class, but of course Xavi Hernández is the one to watch. He is unmatched in delivering killer passes.]
'Finally.'
The stage was set to covet Xavi's talent.
But he could not focus only on passes.
Playing his best came first.
'I need to drop deeper. With Xavi on, if we fail to press properly, this could get ugly.'
He raised his arm and signaled to Park Ji-sung.
After receiving the okay sign, Ho-young dropped into midfield.
Within five minutes, the midfield battle ignited.
Ho-young and Ki Sung-yueng pressed Xavi intensely, preventing him from playing comfortably.
Through press resistance and counter-pressing duels, they gradually carved out space and increased possession to 40 percent.
Compared to the first half's 80-20 imbalance, it was a clear improvement.
[With Ho-young contributing in midfield and defense, the match is stabilizing. Still, with the World Cup ahead, he should not overexert himself.]
[No one knows his body better than he does. He played 52 matches for Real Madrid last season. His self-management is exemplary.]
Del Bosque's expression darkened.
Ho-young's involvement in midfield reduced Spain's possession significantly.
At this rate, even a two-goal win was uncertain.
His philosophy that possession equals goals was wavering.
[Korea regain possession. They are finding more space.]
[But Capdevila intercepts behind Kim Jung-hoo and immediately looks for Xavi!]
Spain's shape surged forward instantly.
It was the perfect moment for a tiki-taka counter.
One of Del Bosque's favored patterns.
But.
Thwack!
The promising move was cut out instantly.
Possession returned to Korea.
[Ho-young intercepts the pass! He sprints at incredible speed to cut it out. Excellent!]
[He quickly connects to the right. Cha Du-ri receives.]
After winning the ball, Ho-young laid it off, scanning for an opening.
Cha Du-ri pushed forward immediately.
[Cha Du-ri is charging forward!]
[He beats Juan Mata down the line!]
Charging straight ahead, Mata fell behind.
Cha's physical power was undeniable.
Breathing heavily around the 70th minute, he sprinted with everything.
They could not rely solely on the youngest member.
He wanted to contribute somehow.
The gap opened.
[An intense duel between Cha Du-ri and Carlos Marchena!]
[The ball spills loose toward the center!]
Both Ho-young and Xabi Alonso raced toward it.
Knowing each other well, Alonso anticipated he would lose the duel and chose man-marking instead.
But Ho-young, upon receiving, slipped a pass to Park Ji-sung making a run on the left.
Tap.
[Ho-young's key pass!]
[It finds space behind on the left! They must capitalize!]
As Sergio Ramos stepped up, Park avoided forcing a dribble and sent a low cross.
A fierce physical battle erupted in the center.
Ho-young slipped between Marchena and Raúl Albiol, stretching his foot to meet the ball.
The net rippled.
Thud!
[Goal! A fantastic volley from Ho-young! He drives it straight into the net!]
[What coordination. With this level of organization, they can compete with anyone.]
[More than the goal, the key lesson is clear. Against strong midfields, Ho-young must drop deeper.]
Stung, Del Bosque reinforced the defense.
The match slowed as Spain shut it down.
Korea also conserved energy.
The match ended there.
The final whistle blew.
2-1.
Spain won, but Korea saw hope.
That evening.
[
MOM usually comes from the winning side.
Occasionally from the losing team, but only with overwhelming performance.
This was such a case.
And as a reward, he acquired the long-desired talent.
[You have chosen to covet Vision of the Pass Master (SU).]
[Time required to fully acquire the talent reduced from 120 days to 7 days. During this period, no other talents can be coveted.]
If they met Spain again in the semifinals or final, he could aim for passing itself next time.
He began to feel the change fully on June 10, two days before Korea's first Group B match.
The next day.
The 2010 South Africa World Cup finally kicked off.
The opening match between South Africa and England ended 1-1.
Uruguay and Mexico also drew 1-1.
The first day passed quietly.
Then the world's attention shifted to Group B.
The youngest player in World Cup history.
Ho-young's Korea were about to take the stage.
Their opponent was Africa's powerhouse, Nigeria.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
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