Lee Jeong-hyeop (32), a goal scorer for Gangwon FC in professional football, smiled shyly at a placard hung in the stands during a game against the Pohang Steelers on the 21st. It was the phrase ‘handsome Lee Jeong-hyeop’ that greeted him when he was substituted in the 40th minute of the second half when the score was 0-0.
Lee Jeong-hyeop met with reporters and said, “I always feel sorry for the fans.” The atmosphere has revived to the point that even my co-workers teased me by saying, ‘Handsome Lee Jeong-hyeop?’” he said.
The fans who put up Lee Jeong-hyeop’s placard are grateful and sorry because it has been three months since he participated. Lee Jeong-hyeop tore the lateral and posterior ligaments in his left knee during training last March. If he gets on the operating table, it’s a big injury that he has to consider being out of the season.
However, Lee Jeong-hyeop accelerated his comeback through rehabilitation that strengthened the muscles around him. Overcoming his arduous process, he said, “At first, I also thought that it would not be easy this year because the pain did not decrease. However, when the fans cheered for the comeback through SNS messages, it gave me strength. He still hurts, but he just wanted to run,” he said.
At the same time, he added, “I think good days will come for our team if we continue to exercise the weakened parts and improve our condition.”
Lee Jeong-hyeop’s early return was a great help to Gangwon. Gangwon is the only one of the 12 K-League 1 teams to score single-digit points (seven goals in 14 matches), and is suffering from an empty void. Another striker, Dino, was also sidelined due to a concussion, and as there were no goals in the last 4 games, they fell to 11th place, the relegation zone.
Lee Jeong-hyeop said, “Certainly, our team has low scoring compared to this time last year (13 goals). I run with the thought that if I help even a little bit, (Yang) Hyun-jun, (Kim) Dae-won, and players like Gallego will do it.” 먹튀검증
In fact, with Lee Jung-hyeop playing, Gangwon’s strengths, such as Yang Hyeon-jun and Kim Dae-won, are regaining their destructive power. The proof is that Gangwon launched an offensive at the end of the match against Pohang. Kangwon coach Choi Yong-soo welcomed him, saying, “Lee Jeong-hyeop’s own linked play and fight for the right to supply are still the same.”
Lee Jeong-hyeop also promised a quick revival. He said, “It is true that the sense of the game is still lacking. Still, my colleagues were helping me, so I was able to adapt quickly,” he said. “I think it will gradually get better in the future. I have to do well even if I think about the fans.”