Ulsan HD Lee Dong-kyung.
"The Son of Ulsan" Lee Dong-kyung 27, Ulsan HD scored a thrilling come-from-behind winning goal a day before joining the army.
Ulsan came from behind to beat Jeju United 3-1 in the ninth round of the "Hana Bank K League 1 2024" held at Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan on Sunday. After winning three consecutive games in the league, Ulsan has 17 points to move up to third in the K League 1.
Coach Hong Myung-bo said, "Wouldn't it be better to spend time with your family while resting?" but Lee Dong-kyung played as "Ulsan's son" even a day before joining the military and performed outstandingly.
Lee Dong-kyung, who is about to join the Korean military athletic unit on Tuesday, had his hair cut short and pushed ahead with his participation. Lee, who has been pushing his hair coolly, garnered cheers from home fans through his cool play.
Lee Dong-kyung started with Joo Min-gyu and others and penetrated the left side of the penalty box in the 18th minute of the second half when the match was 1-1 and penetrated the Jeju goal with a sensational left footed shot. When counterattacking in the 35th minute of the second half, he stabbed Um Won-sang with a sharp forward pass to help him score his third goal. With seven goals and five assists, he became the leader in scoring and assisting in the K-League 1.
After the game, Lee said, "I wanted to play my last game and go to the military. I even scored a point, and it was even better that we won. It's nice to be in the military in this atmosphere."
"Ulsan is also participating in the Club World Cup, so I hope we have a good result. I hope we can give a star for the team to win again this year," he said.
Ulsan HD Lee Dong-kyung.
Lee Dong-kyung scored the finisher in the first leg of the semifinal match of the Asian Football Confederation AFC Champions League ACL, giving his team a ticket to the FIFA Club World Cup. He helped Matheus score a goal in the second leg of the semifinal match against Yokohama on Sunday. Ulsan unfortunately failed to advance to the final of the ALC, but Lee Dong-kyung showed an MVP-like performance.
Coach Hong Myung-bo said, "I hope that I will continue to maintain this performance even when I go to Kim Cheon-sangmu. I hope that I will advance to a higher level. It was only a little over three years ago that I spent time with Lee Dong-kyung, and I loved it. I am proud that I was the coach of Lee Dong-kyung."
Lee Dong-kyung, who will join the military on Monday, will head to Gimcheon Sangmu after completing four weeks of military training after entering the training camp. Gimcheon 19 points, who was promoted to the K League 2 title last season, is leading the pack after nine rounds. Ulsan, which aims to win the K-League title three consecutive seasons, is now facing a strange situation in which it welcomes Lee as its "enemy." 토토사이트 순위