Pohang Steelers defender Lee Tae-seok expressed his feelings about playing his 100th K-League match against his former team FC Seoul.
Pohang drew 1-1 in the 36th round of the “Hana Bank K League 1 2024” away match against FC Seoul at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 2nd. Pohang, which gave Kang Sang-woo the first run in the 32nd minute of the first half, immediately won the draw in the enemy territory with Wandelson’s equalizer.
Seoul, which added one more point, maintained its fourth position with 15 wins, nine draws and 12 losses and 54 points. At the same time, Gimcheon Sangmu defeated Suwon FC 1-0, widening the gap to six points. Pohang also maintained its fifth position with 53 points (14 wins, 11 draws and 11 losses). The competition will continue with a one-point gap between the two teams to qualify for the ACL.
Seoul was the first to take the lead. Kang Sang-woo from Pohang played a ball game with Wandelson near the goal line on the left side of the box, and hit a shot after winning the ball. Goalkeeper Yoon Pyeong-guk blocked it once, but Kang pushed the ball back to hit the net.
Pohang quickly balanced the ball. After a corner kick in the 37th minute of the first half, Seoul caught the ball that was cleared by Seoul and connected it long from the back, and Wandelsson chest-trapped the ball that Jeon Min-kwang dropped with his head into the corner with his right foot. He saw if there was a handball foul, but it was recognized as a goal without any problems.
Since then, the two teams have engaged in a fierce battle, but no goals have been scored. Seoul was sorry that Kim Joo-sung’s header hit the post in the middle of the second half. It was painful for Pohang to see Jung Jae-hee lose the perfect opportunity at the end of the second half.
Lee Tae-seok, who moved from Seoul to Pohang last summer, visited the Seoul World Cup Stadium for the first time since his transfer. This is the first time that Lee Tae-seok, who faced each other at home in August, went on an away trip to Seoul.
Lee Tae-seok, who faced reporters in the mixed zone (joint coverage area) after the game, said, “I used the away team locker room for the first time. I was supposed to come in and go left, but I felt very unfamiliar going right,” but added, “I was more glad to come to the stadium and play the game. Anyway, today’s game was very important, but I was happy to win one point without losing.”
“I’ve been playing, and there are a lot of injured players. Tactically, I’m making a lot of changes to the game, but I think I’m positive that I can bring this result considering that I worked out for two days,” he said.
When asked what kind of determination he had before the game, Lee Tae-seok said, “I was thinking more about what the team demanded than that. Rather than trying to do well, I wanted the game to be a game where I could dedicate myself to the team and help the team, but I think it went well, so I think it went well.”
“Now I’m not a Seoul player, I’m a Pohang player. Since I’m in Pohang, I think it’s natural that I have to be aggressive. Anyway, I think this was a game where I was able to express well to everyone that (I’m) this kind of player.”
During the game, Lee had a fierce physical fight with Sohn Seung-beom, a promising player born in 2004 in Seoul. “We were not supposed to lose any points either, and I think we are in a situation where we can sufficiently come out of the stadium,” he said with a smile. 토토사이트
After the game, he greeted his fans at home in Seoul. “Actually, I was a team that had been around for a long time, and it was my first time to play an away game and greet the fans, but I had mixed feelings and emotions,” Lee said. “It was a hectic situation because we greeted each other.”
Lee Tae-seok, who played his 100th K-League match on the day, said, “Actually, I’ve been waiting for this day. I wish I had won after playing 100 games, but I’m actually sad that I couldn’t. But I don’t feel bad because I didn’t lose again. There’s nothing to be desired. I think it’s the same team as Seoul and Pohang, and Pohang is also a good team. I’m quite satisfied because I like various soccer philosophies.”
He mentioned Lingard as the most welcomed Seoul player. “In fact, I have contacted him a lot privately. Lingard was the first one to welcome him,” Lee said. “After the game and before, I also told him that I would like him to come and play in the same stadium when I was in Pohang.”