South Korea’s representative male and female players and retired players gathered together to embroider the ground.
The 2024 3rd Players’ Association Charity Soccer Competition, hosted by the Korea Professional Footballers Association (hereinafter referred to as the Players’ Association), was held at 13:00 on December 21 at the Sun Seung-kwan of Kyung Hee University International Campus.
The competition, which was divided into teams of Joo Min-gyu, Ji So-yeon, Koo Ja-cheol and Shim Seo-yeon, attracted a lot of attention right after the event. This is because active players and retired star players who are shining on the domestic stage played on the same ground regardless of gender.
Fans holding colorful uniforms gathered inside and outside the stadium to chat at a rare sight.
The match of harmony ended with Shim Seo-yeon’s victory after a close game leading up to the penalty shootout. The result was not important. Players also knew this, so the loser had to smile and reflect on the meaning of the competition rather than console the winner.
The highlight was the donation ceremony for Yoo Yeon-soo and Shin Young-rok, which was held in the middle of the game. Lee Keun-ho and Koo Ja-cheol welcomed their teammates, holding hands together. Players also smiled brightly and responded.
After the game, Yoo Yeon-soo, who met with “Spotal Korea,” said, “Many fans and players came. I’m really grateful for the retirement ceremony and the donation delivery and the shining of my seat.”
Yoo had an unexpected car accident in 2022 due to a drunk driving vehicle. He took off his gloves as he suffered from paraplegia as a result of the accident. Since then, he has to leave the ground where he has been together all his life and rely on his wheelchair. 안전놀이터
Still, he did not lose hope. And he is living a new life. “Now I am living my second life as a shooter. Thank you so much for supporting me as a shooter. I will continue to work hard to show you good performances. I hope you will keep watching my challenge,” he said.
He also had a clear goal. “I want to improve my skills and wear the national flag. I want to become an athlete who will participate in the Paralympics and wear a medal around my neck,” he said.