As Gwangju FC’s Lee Soon-min awaits his first career A-team call-up after beating leaders Ulsan Hyundai, he penned a stunning lyric.
Gwangju won 2-0 away from home against Ulsan in the 29th round of the Hana OneQ K League 1 2023 at Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan at 4:30 p.m. on March 3.
With the win, Gwangju regained third place in the K League 1 with 45 points (12 W, 10 D, 8 L in 29 games). The team continued its good run of form, going unbeaten in nine games (4W, 5D). They also achieved the most wins (12) in the club’s K League 1 history.
In the 17th minute of the first half, Gwangju’s forward resources pressed forward to exploit Ulsan’s shaky buildup at the back, and after a scramble, the ball fell to Gwangju striker Lee Kun-hee inside the Ulsan penalty box. Lee beat Ulsan goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo and took a left-footed shot. Ulsan defender Kim Young-kwon slid to clear it, but the ball hit Kim’s body and crossed the goal line. The goal was upheld after the VAR review, giving Gwangju a 1-0 away lead.
In the second half, Gwangju remained undaunted by Ulsan’s offense and added another goal. In the ninth minute of the second half, Lee Hee-gyun’s right-footed shot from the front of the Ulsan box hit a defender and bounced back. Gwangju forward Bekka immediately connected with a right-footed volley, and the ball quickly found its way into the left side of the Ulsan goal beyond the reach of goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo. With a 2-0 lead, Gwangju held off Ulsan’s attack until the end to secure the three points.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Gwangju’s Lee Soon-min said, “We finally won against the No. 1 team, Ulsan, away from home. We had been preparing for the game for a week and it paid off.”
Despite playing as a central defender on the day, he said, “There are many things that I promised and prepared as a team rather than individually. I believe that no matter where I play, I just need to play well. The strength of Gwangju comes from the process. I think the members of Gwangju are really eager to prepare for every game, and the results show it. 온라인바카라
As for Gwangju coach Lee Jung-hyo, “Third parties might think it’s scary, but he wants his players to grow and be recognized more than anyone else. The players all know that. When you fulfill the coach’s feedback, you get something in return. We’re getting stronger as a team.
On earning his first cap in September when he was called up to the A team roster, he said, “As Gwangju has been playing more attacking soccer in the last season and this year, the players have been developing. I’ve quickly picked up on the role I can play within the national team’s tactics. My tactical understanding has improved a lot in Gwangju, so I think it will help me in that regard.”
Lee Sun-min, who is also a rapper, expresses his career in Gwangju in his lyrics, saying, “I’ve been dreaming and living reality, but at some point, reality made me dream. I broke my preconceived notions about soccer in Gwangju, and the idea that ‘it’s okay to dream more’ is blooming in the squad,” he concluded the interview.