Ulsan HDU-18 (Ulsan Hyundai High School) Lee Jae-hyung expressed his strong ambition.
Ulsan won 1-0 thanks to Heo Chan-hoe’s winning goal in the final of the K-League Asian Youth Championship Jeju 2024 against Roaso Kumamoto at 3 p.m. on the 26th at Kang Chang-hak Stadium. With this, Ulsan won all five games played during the tournament, achieved the feat of winning all games and solidified its position as an Asian powerhouse.
The championship took place in Seogwipo, Jeju from July 21 to 26. It is hosted by the Korea Professional Football League, co-organized by the federation and Jeju United, and sponsored by the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. A total of eight teams participated in the event, including three K-League teams including Jeju United, Ulsan and Pohang Steelers, Kumamoto, Mito Holyhawk from Japan, PVF Academy from Vietnam, Western United from Australia, and Jeju Jeil High School from Jeju.
In Group B, Ulsan competed with Jeju Jeil High School, Kumamoto and Western for the semifinal. Ulsan, which acquired three points from all different teams, did not stop there. After facing “Mito,” a natural enemy of the K-League, in the semifinal, Ulsan scored a dramatic goal right before the game ended to advance to the final and ultimately defeated Kumamoto to lift the trophy.
Lee Jae-hyung, who started the game and played full time on the day, had the pleasure of being named MVP of the competition. Lee Jae-hyung, who showed perfect performance throughout the competition, was bold and proactive in both offense and defense, drawing admiration from the audience.
In January last year, Lee Jae-hyung was selected as a middle school student for the under-17 national team led by Suwon Samsung Bluewings coach Byun Sung-hwan. However, his adjustment period was not smooth after entering Hyundai High School. Sportal Korea was able to hear the story of Lee Jae-hyung, who clearly changed his position in just one year.
▲ Hereinafter, Lee Jae-hyung’s question and answer.
- I’m curious about how you feel about being selected as MVP along with winning.
Despite the tight schedule of the competition, all the players played hard and I think they came up to this spot. I don’t think I got the MVP because I did well. Seeing the players doing their best gave me a stimulus, and I think trying to take another step led to a good result.
- I will be a third grader next year. I think it’s time to seriously think about my goal.
My top priority is to make my professional debut as a member of Ulsan. Even if I can’t do that, I won’t be frustrated, and I want to try my best to become a professional player as much as possible. 메이저사이트
- Coach Lee Seung-hyun really values individual player development.
To be honest, when I just entered the school, I didn’t get many opportunities to play. Most of all, I wasn’t mature. Thanks to the coach, my mental strength has become stronger, and I have a habit of being persistent no matter what I do.
- If anyone wants to take this opportunity to thank you.
“I think he’s the director.” (Laughs) As I said, he gave me a chance, and if there were any shortcomings, he took good care of me one by one. I’m embarrassed, but I really want to say thank you for taking good care of me every time.