"It's sad, but I think it can always be the last time." Re-signing a contract that is recognized even at the age of 37, a happy ending that Lee Chung-yong dreams of

"It's sad, but I think it can always be the last time." Re-signing a contract that is recognized even at the age of 37, a happy ending that Lee Chung-yong dreams of

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"The clock is ticking backwards." His comments are directed at Lee Chung-yong (Ulsan Hyundai), a 37-year-old soccer scholar who was born in 1988 and is preparing for the new season. He got off to a slow start last year. It was due to poor winter training.

Nonetheless, it was Lee. The end was spectacular. On Nov. 1, he assisted Joo Min-kyu, who will clinch the K-League 1 title for the third consecutive year, in the match against Gangwon FC (two to one win). The drama continued until the end. In the final match of the league on Nov. 23, he assisted Park Chu-young in an unbelievable "retired goal." As the new year begins, Ulsan announced its renewal of contract with Lee, the oldest player in the team. After 11 years as a European player, he will stay in Ulsan in 2020.

He has forgotten his time. At the training camp in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, he led the team from the front with fast pace. Ulsan coach Kim Pan-gon only smiles, calling Lee Chung-yong a "team adviser." Ulsan has undergone improvement in his constitution ahead of the upcoming season. Residents, Kyu, Kim Ki-hee, Lee Myung-jae, and others have left his position. Heo Yul, Lee Hee-kyun, signature officer, Lee Jin-hyeon, Kang Sang-woo, and Yoon Jong-gyu have joined the team. "There have been some changes at the end of each season, especially this year. There are many new players, and the focus has been on getting rid of awkwardness during the training camp. I think the players have gotten a lot closer. Tactically, the players seem to have become more intimate," Lee said.

When Lee lifted the trophy for the first time in 17 years in 2022, he was named the MVP, his highest honor. That year, he recorded three goals and two assists in 35 matches. In 2023, when he achieved his second consecutive win, he scored one goal and two assists in 34 matches, and posted four assists in 23 matches last year. This season, Kim Young-kwon was appointed as the new captain. "This is the fourth year that Young-kwon has played in Ulsan. He played many important roles in and out of the stadium before. It would be his first time to wear the captain's armband, but he has done as many things as the captain did before, so there is nothing much difference," Lee said. "I am grateful for him as a team member, and many of his juniors follow him well. I just cheer him up from behind and give his team strength."

As for the newly transfused new players, he said, "They have good skills, and the recognized players came to our team. We have won three consecutive league games. The important thing is that I don't want those players to feel pressured to lose four consecutive games this season. That kind of pressure can lead to pressure," he advised. "Personally, I think it will be a fiercer season than ever. I think how it will look in the beginning will have a big impact on the game and performance of a season. First of all, we have to start well. The coach must have a plan. Young and young players went in with the play we wanted, tried to quickly understand the coach's order and implement it on the field. I expect these things to come out well in the season."

Koo Ja-cheol, a "best friend," recently retired as a player. He also knows that he doesn't have much time left. "I don't think it's just my will. There will be many things in the end, but it's more about whether I can show good performances on the field than about my age. I think that every season is special to me and can be my last," Lee said.

Park, who used to be a playing coach, was appointed as an official coach in Ulsan and started his second soccer career. "I'm sad but right. Coach Park Chu-young almost decided to retire last season. In the midst of this, he finished the game with good performance on the field. This reminded me of many things," Park said. " "(Koo) Ja-cheol retired with a different scene. I don't think I have much time left. I want to finish without any regrets and injuries at the end." "If I try to be greedy for one thing, my team's performance will be very important to me. 메이저사이트 The team feels different in the end from the season when they won the trophy even after hard work and the season when they didn't. I hope all the members of the team will be able to finish the game happily with a smile. As he has been loved a lot so far, I want to finish the game well with a better performance." His outstanding soccer intelligence is more mature over the years. All he can think of is a happy ending.