National team midfielder Lee Sun-min played his first game after returning to Korea. In front of reporters, he told the story of what had happened so far.
At 2 p.m. on the 17th, the Hana One Q K League 1 2023 30th round FC Seoul (hereinafter referred to as Seoul)-Gwangju FC (hereinafter referred to as Gwangju) match took place at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul. The game was a victory for Gwangju. Gwangju defended Heo Yul’s game-winning goal early in the first half until the end and firmly secured third place. Lee Soon-min also started as a starter that day and fought for Gwangju’s victory.
After the game, Lee Sun-min appeared in the mixed zone at Seoul World Cup Stadium in a bright manner. He said he has not yet adapted to jet lag. Still, he felt that his experience of traveling to Europe as a representative of his country was invaluable. The following is the full interview with Lee Soon-min.
Q: Please tell us your thoughts on the Seoul game.
“We didn’t have a single win in Seoul this season. I thought it would be difficult because it was an away game. I want to attach significance to the fact that we got three points as a result.”
Q: Did you get used to the time difference after visiting Europe?
“Right now, I feel like I’m waking up at dawn and running. It felt like 3 a.m. Still, it was an experience I was thankful for. I have to overcome this as well. Since I’ve experienced it once, I need to have more new experiences. I think I can grow as a player, so I’m taking it positively. Yes. I sympathized (about the players coming and going from Europe). It was difficult in England, and it was also difficult when I came to Korea. But after listening to many stories, I realized that in the end, mindset is more important than being conscious of such things. Anyway, the body is up to you to think about it. So, I was very tired and tired today, but I tried not to think about that. I prepared and thought as usual. I’m just thankful that I was able to experience this. I tried to overcome it in a positive way.”
Q: I think the desire to return to the national team has grown stronger.
“I have to go. If they call me, I have to run from Gwangju (laughter).”
Q: What was it like spending time with Son Heung-min on the national team? I think it must have been amazing.
“Everything was just an episode. I went down to eat breakfast and Heungmin hyung was unpacking his food in front of me. I was impressed by every single thing. He was the captain and took really good care of me since it was my first time here. He also told me to talk to him at any time if I needed anything. I was really grateful. And (Cho) Hyun-woo took care of me a lot, and I became close with (Kang) Sang-woo, and (Ahn) Hyeon-beom and (Jeong) Seung-hyun were the same age, so it was comfortable. My friends were able to adapt when they first went. “He helped me a lot. It was fun because we all became friends.”
Q: I think you also had time to talk with the coach of the South Korean men’s national team, Jurgen Klinsmann.
“Yes. We had a face-to-face meeting and talked about various topics. I heard what part they wanted from me and why they chose me. They said they wanted me to bring my character to life. They asked me to be rough in the stadium. “He said he wanted me to show that I wanted to pressure and annoy the opponent. He said the national team needed this, and this is something I am confident in. I hope I get a chance to appeal more.”
Q: When I looked at it, it seemed like the national team’s positioning was higher than usual. Was that the position that director Jürgen Klinsmann wanted?
“That’s not true. At the time, (Hwang) In-beom came in without a proper pre-season, so it was expected that it would be difficult to play the full 90 minutes, so he went into the second half and did that even though he wasn’t completely in (In-beom’s) position. I think (Coach Jurgen Klinsmann) wanted to open up the game by providing more stability and more help on the defensive side. It was a position that could be unfamiliar if you are unfamiliar with it. But I was very grateful and honored to have been given the opportunity. No matter what position you play in. In fact, I think that even in Gwangju, no matter what position you play, there are no excuses if you are a professional and representative. The moment you step on the pitch, you have to catch what (the coaches) want and show it on the pitch. You have to work hard to be helpful. I think so.”
Q: Coach Jurgen Klinsmann also visited the site for the Seoul-Gwangju match. Was it conscious?
“It would be a lie to say that I wasn’t conscious at all. Still, I tried to be as unconscious as possible. Playing for a team called Gwangju comes first, and the team’s victory is important. In the end, that’s why I was able to make it to the national team. It’s because the team called Gwangju is doing well. I tried to focus on the essence. I thought a lot about dedicating myself and playing for the team’s victory.”
Q: Before the game, Gwangju coach Lee Jeong-hyo said with the nuance that Sunmin seemed to have been reset(?).
“I think because I went to a new team, there were times when I couldn’t continue what I had done in Gwangju. The players trained very hard during the international break. I think I was lacking in adapting to the areas I had to adapt to after missing out. “I think that’s why you said that.”
Q: What sets you apart from other players in the process of making it to the national team?
“Hmm… what is it? I think it’s multiplayer. I have to play the way the team wants. I trained for the first time during this convocation, and I talked to the coach and got a bit of idea of what direction he wants the team to go in. I hope to have another opportunity in the future. “I think if I receive it, I can show that aspect better. I have to make sure it helps the team.”
Q: What was unique about director Jürgen Klinsmann?
“First of all, he emphasized energy. 카지노사이트And what he wanted from me was to act as a link for the midfielders. When switching from attack to defense, when moving from defense to attack, when performing build-up from the back to the front, and in this process, “He emphasized that he wants me to play my role well. I think that if I play well in the middle, the team can play well overall. I think we need to focus more on that in the future.”
Q: I think there was a bit of a misunderstanding with Seoul’s Ki Sung-yong at the end of the game and after it was over.
“During the game, the roughness turned into action. I overdid my actions and made a mistake in that area. I was sorry. When it was over, I apologized again. Thankfully, my apology was accepted, and in the meantime, I added many nice things to say. “I think I need to show a more mature side in the future.”
Q: Coach Lee Jeong-hyo is reluctant to talk about Gwangju’s goals. What about Lee Soon-min?
“In fact, rather than reaching a certain goal, I just want to continue to challenge the limit. To do that, I have to continue to win game after game and show good performance. Not everyone expected Gwangju to be where it is now. But We have come this far. I don’t think there is any law that says we can’t go further from here. I felt and learned something about the results we produced. I felt confident that I could do it. We need to prepare well for the next home game. We need to prepare well for the next home game. If you get everything, you can eventually get to a better position. I think the most important thing right now is the desire to do more and not be satisfied.”
Q: What impact do you think playing against European players as a member of the national team in Europe will have on your soccer career?
“I felt a lot about traveling abroad. The environment had a positive impact. Training and playing in a team with really good players, the opposing players were also players representing the country, and playing in the English Premier League. There were also players. While playing the game, there was something I felt as an emotion rather than something I learned through words. I don’t know how to explain it, but I felt it. But I also felt that it might not be a position that I can’t reach anymore. If I try a little harder, I can get a little better. If I continue, I see hope that I will be able to be in the same position as them with more confidence. So I think I need to be more humble. I know my shortcomings. So I have to make up for those shortcomings. If I can do that, I will be more confident. “I saw hope that it could work out well. I will try to stay humble and focus on what I need to do.”