Jungwon University senior forward Lee Tae-gyun (22) has been selected to represent South Korea at the 2023 Asian Football Championship in Taebaek, Gangwon Province, from July 7-12.
The tournament will feature varsity teams from seven Asian countries competing for the title. “It’s the first time I’ve earned the title of ‘representative’ since I started playing soccer,” said Lee. I’m excited to play for Korea’s college soccer team and showcase my skills. I will aim to score every game.”메이저사이트
Lee Tae-gyun returned from injury a year ago. He was tackled by an opponent during a game last July, his junior year, and tore his left posterior cruciate ligament. It was a devastating injury for a wing forward with 11-second quick feet.
With the encouragement and support of Jungwon University head coach Lee Se-in, Lee was determined to overcome the difficult rehabilitation. “I started playing soccer at a relatively late age, in the first grade of middle school, so soccer was very important to me. The coach said, ‘Instead of being weak, let’s try to heal properly once,'” he says.
From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lee hit the weight room for four hours, focusing on strengthening the injured area. After lunch, he spent another four hours on the field from 2 to 6 p.m. working on coordination drills, touching the ball and maintaining game awareness. After dinner, I would train for another two to three hours until 10pm. This went on for about six months, from September last year, right after the surgery, to February this year.
This month, he made his comeback against the Chuseok University Federation. Lee caught the attention of college soccer officials with a sparkling performance that was even more impressive than before his injury. Playing as a left wing forward, he displayed his trademark quick and deft breakthroughs and powerful shooting ability. His cross timing was also half a beat faster thanks to his free use of both feet.
In the round of 16 match against Chosun University, he fired a cannonball-like shot from the right flank. Thanks to this, he was able to return from injury and represent Korea at the Asian Football Confederation. “I started playing soccer late, but I wanted to play longer than anyone else, so I didn’t give up and gritted my teeth, and now I’m happy to say that my body is actually better than before,” he boasts.
Lee’s next goal is to join a professional team. “I will survive until the day I enter the K League. Who would have thought that I would be a national team member in my fourth year of college. I enjoy playing soccer. If you work hard and don’t give up, you will definitely see the light of day.”