Chapter 41: A Strong Start Against South Korea

Chapter 41: A Strong Start Against South Korea

June 21, 2013, Istanbul, Turkey, at the Türk Telekom Stadium.

At 6 PM local time, the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup kicked off with one of the tournament favorites, France U-20, battling Ghana U-20. After a fierce 90 minutes, France emerged victorious with a score of 3-1. Umtiti and Sarr, both starting as central defenders, played the entire match. Kodobia, Sanogo, and Bahbeck scored for France, while Boakye pulled one back for Ghana in the closing moments.

Simultaneously, another match in Group B saw the South Korean team defeating Cuba 2-1 in Kayseri's Kadir Has Stadium.

An hour after these matches ended, the next set of games for Groups A and B began in two different cities. Portugal U-20 faced the formidable Nigerian Eagles at Kadir Has Stadium, marking their first encounter since their match half a month earlier at the Toulon Cup, where Portugal had won 2-1.

Meeting again, Portugal quickly took a two-goal lead in the first half. The rising star Bruma, dubbed the new Cristiano Ronaldo, scored the opening goal for Portugal at the 30th minute, followed four minutes later by Aladje who doubled the score.

The young Portuguese side, buoyed by their lead, lost focus at the start of the second half and allowed Nigeria to pull a goal back in the 57th minute.

Sensing trouble, Portugal made early substitutions. Forward Cavaleiro came on for Pereira, and Esgaio replaced the goal scorer Aladje. These changes, however, didn't alter the dynamics on the field much.

In the 67th minute, Nigeria equalized with their number 10 scoring his second of the match, making it 2-2!

Despite initially leading by two goals and then conceding two to draw level, the young Portuguese players were visibly stunned.

Fortunately, at a critical moment, Bruno demonstrated his value as the team's offensive linchpin. In the 69th minute, his precise through ball cut through Nigeria's defense to find Bruma up front. The Portuguese newcomer seized the opportunity without hesitation, scoring his second of the game and restoring Portugal's lead.

Following this, Nigeria made aggressive substitutions to boost their offense, while Portugal's coach Ramos brought on Agostinho Cá, a product of Barcelona's La Masia and currently playing for Barcelona B in the Spanish Segunda División, to solidify midfield control.

The game ended 2-3 in favor of Portugal, who were the away team in this encounter.

Both Bruma of Portugal and Nigeria's number 10 Aguean shone brightly, scoring twice each, but Bruno, wearing Portugal's number 10 jersey, was named the man of the match.

Having secured a central role in the team, Bruno's jersey number was switched from 21 during the Toulon Cup to 10. Although he preferred the number 8, it was already worn by team captain João Mário, with whom Bruno had a good relationship and had no intention of taking it away.

In the game, Bruno was credited with only one assist, but his influence was crucial in all of Portugal's goals. When the score was tied and the situation chaotic, it was Bruno who stepped up to assist the team in regaining the lead, truly serving as the team's core and stabilizer.

With both Portugal and South Korea winning their opening matches by a goal difference of one, but Portugal leading on goals scored, the upcoming match between these two teams became crucial. Victory would likely secure the top spot in their group.

Originally, Bruno thought the Portuguese players would be highly motivated against South Korea, remembering the controversial 2002 World Cup where Portugal was eliminated by South Korea, a national humiliation. However, he realized he might have overthought it. After all, most members of this U-20 team were just eight or nine years old at that time and had little memory of the event.

Nonetheless, Bruno didn't worry about their fighting spirit since they were now direct competitors. To secure the top position in the group, neither side would hold back.

Despite Nigeria taking a temporary lead in the group after beating Cuba 3-0 an hour before Portugal's match against South Korea, the Nigerian team wasn't considered the main competitor for either Portugal or South Korea.

Regardless of what his teammates thought, Bruno was determined to make a strong impression in the match against South Korea. Remembering numerous events that made him dislike South Korea—seen as an irritating presence and recalling past national team failures that left fans like him frustrated—Bruno was eager for a chance to vent.

As Portugal's orchestrator and attacking nucleus, Bruno was ready to intimidate South Korea right from the start.

From the moment the game began, Bruno led Portugal U-20 to set a frantic pace.

It was madness—the impression Portugal gave everyone from the start as they bombarded the South Korean goal.

Caught off-guard by this aggressive approach, the South Koreans struggled, enhancing the ferocity of Portugal's attacks.

Portugal's initial onslaught paid off just 3 minutes into the game.

Bruno charged from midfield towards the South Korean penalty area. Confronted by two South Korean defenders, Bruno executed a sudden stop and change of direction, causing the defenders to collide. Before a third defender could close in, Bruno delivered a 45-degree cross into the penalty area.

In the box, Portuguese striker Aladje reached the ball first, striking it with the outside of his right foot without any prior momentum—a completely unexpected shot.

The ball shot towards the far corner of the goal. The South Korean goalkeeper, Lee Chang-geun, caught off-guard, hadn't even managed to dive before the ball whisked past him under his body and into the net.

Seeing Aladje score, Bruno finally relaxed. Their strategy of striking hard and early, akin to getting a full home run before the opponent could react, had paid off.

(End of Chapter)

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