After scoring seven offensive points at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, the most of any South Korean player, Kim Eun-jung-ho’s “captain” Lee Seung-won (Gangwon) gave credit to his teammates and expressed his ambition to be a mainstay of South Korean soccer at the adult level.

In an interview after South Korea’s U-20 World Cup 2023 third-place match against Israel at the La Plata Stadium in Argentina on Wednesday (June 12), Lee said, “It’s been a tough journey for a year and a half. I’m grateful to the players who played well and the coaching staff who helped me with good guidance on the way to the quarterfinals.” “I’m glad that I finished the World Cup without any regrets,” he said.

Lee scored his seventh offensive point of the tournament (3 goals, 4 assists) with a penalty kick goal in the 24th minute to tie the game 1-1.메이저사이트

It is the most offensive points by a South Korean player in a FIFA-sanctioned men’s tournament, surpassing the previous record of six (two goals, four assists) set by Lee Kang-in (Mallorca), who was named the Most Valuable Player (Golden Ball) at the 2019 tournament in Poland before finishing runner-up.

Lee Seung-won, the moment of truth
(La Plata) – Lee Seung-won scores from the penalty spot during the third-place match between South Korea and Israel at the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Under-20 World Cup 2023 at the La Plata Stadium in La Plata, Argentina, on June 11 (local time). 2023.6.12 hwayoung7@yna.co.kr

Lee was recognized as the third-best player of the tournament with the Bronze Ball. The Golden Ball went to Cesare Cassaday (Italy), who scored seven goals, and the Silver Ball to Alan Maturo (Uruguay).

On the day, South Korea finished in fourth place after conceding a late goal and losing 1-3 to Israel, but Lee made history.

“It’s an honor to receive this award at the World Cup,” Lee said, “I think it’s a team effort, not just me, and I want to congratulate my teammates as much as I did on behalf of the players.”

He also said, “It is thanks to the sacrifices and support of my colleagues that I was able to achieve such a good result.”

Well done, Lee Seung-won
(La Plata, Argentina) June 12, 2021 – Lee Seung-won of South Korea celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal from the penalty spot during the FIFA U-20 World Cup Under-20 match between South Korea and Israel at the La Plata Stadium on June 11, 2021 in La Plata, Argentina. 2023.6.12 hwayoung7@yna.co.kr

Throughout the tournament, Lee shined not only with his skills but also with his leadership. He has been a steady presence at the center of the team, leading the ‘One Team’.

“Today, I told my teammates before the game, ‘If there’s anything we’ve accumulated individually and as a team, let’s get it out,'” he said. I played with no regrets, and I think my teammates did too,” he said. “At the end of the game, we said, ‘Let’s go back to Korea with our heads held high,'” he added.

“I think this tournament was a good experience and a stepping stone for all of them,” he said, adding that he hopes to see them again as they strive to improve their respective teams.

Lee Seung-won said, “I think I realized that there are a lot of really good players in the world. I learned a lot of things from them,” he said, adding, “I want to refine the areas that I need to improve and the strengths that I can take advantage of, and become a player who can contribute to Korean soccer at the Asian Games, Olympics, and adult level.”