"I think I've seen the future of women's soccer," said Lee Geum-min, "Thank you for the fun game."
"I think I've seen the future of women's soccer," said Lee Geum-min, "Thank you for the fun game."
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Lee shed tears when asked, "I feel like I have seen the future of women's soccer." It was a moment that gave a glimpse of the veteran's affection for the national team.
The South Korean women's national soccer team, led by head coach Shin Sang-woo, drew 1-1 against Colombia in the second round of the "Coupang Play Invitational Women's National Football Team Friendship Game" held at Yongin Mir Stadium at 7 p.m. on the 2nd.
Ji So-yeon, the oldest sister, was absent from the match. She was called off after playing the first match against Colombia. The decision was made after consultation with Seattle Lane, a team that will play for the upcoming 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship (East Asian Cup) in July.
As Ji So-yeon left the team, Lee naturally kicked the captain's armband. Born in 1994, Lee had to lead the team as a senior player and played an important role in leading young players, including Jung Da-bin and Jeon Yu-kyung. Lee started as the center midfielder and played 75 minutes, displaying accurate kick, match coordination ability, and conversion pass. He showed why he is European.
At the mixed zone after the game, Lee talked about the young players he viewed as seniors. Coach Shin Sang-woo appointed a large number of young players, including Park Soo-jung, Jeon Yu-kyung, Jung Da-bin and Casey Yu-jin, in the upcoming two consecutive games against Colombia. Lee said, "I'm so grateful. There were many young players and talented players. I'm still the eldest, but I'm still acting cute (laughing). Now that I'm older than her, I feel even more grateful. I feel a sense of duty to lead the players down there and balance them among the sisters."
Some say that the generational change has been successful to some extent in the two consecutive games, while others say that young players have made their progress. Lee shed tears when he said, "I saw hope every time...but today we are very thankful that the audience played a great game. It wasn't that crowded, but they came here to cheer us on. Thank you for the fun game."
Lee also talked about playing games. Lee stepped back a little bit in the second leg against Colombia and played in the background. "I was physically fit and faster when I was young. Some coaches want me to lead from the back to the center as I have lived abroad for a long time. As a result, I was given many roles to protect, own, and deliver the ball. "I think it's my first time to see a defensive midfielder today. But it was comfortable."
Ji So-yeon, the eldest sister and spiritual support, once talked about leaving the national team right after the first match. In her 19th year of the national team and her old age, she is forced to consider retiring. After Ji, seniors such as Lee Geum-min and Choi Yu-ri are responsible for many things. However, Lee said she still cannot let Ji go easily. "I can't imagine it. We are gaining more strength and running and creating synergy because of Ji So-yeon. Ji said she wanted to leave yet, but we are not. It's her intention, but I can't imagine it and we don't agree at all. Rather, she said, "(Ji) So-yeon will stay for a long time, so we want to do it together for a long time." 안전놀이터
Lee once again talked about the young players. He expressed satisfaction with the players' mindset. "Thankfully, the young players are showing good attitudes. They are very young. They are not arrogant or arrogant just because they are in the national team. I hope they feel more desperate to play under the national flag. I'm sure you're feeling it enough now, but I hope you come to the national team and work with a sense of mission," he added.