What kind of advice did Lee Tae-seok (23, Pohang) receive from his legendary father?
The South Korean national football team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo (56), will face Jordan in the '2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup Asia Region Third Qualifying Round Group B Round 8' to be held on the 25th at Suwon World Cup Stadium.
South Korea drew 1-1 against Oman on the 20th after a lackluster match. Although Hwang Hee-chan scored the first goal with an assist from Lee Kang-in, they could not hold on to the lead. South Korea (15 points) failed to secure their spot in the World Cup finals at home with two wins.
There was a special player in the match against Oman. It was Lee Tae-seok, who started as a left full-back. Lee Tae-seok made his A-match debut against Kuwait last November. In the match against Oman, he started for the first time. Lee Tae-seok also showcased his long-range shooting ability, making a threatening appearance.
Regarding his first starting match, Lee Tae-seok said, "Ultimately, it was disappointing that we drew. Looking back on it myself, I feel like I couldn't show my strengths very much, which is regrettable. I wished I could have shown more of my offensive side, and I think the result might have changed if I had."
In the situation where Kim Min-jae dropped out due to a hamstring injury and Seung-hyun Jeong also injured his thigh, three members of the national team’s defense line changed at the same time. Lee Tae-seok is competing for a starting position with Lee Myung-jae. He expressed optimism, saying, "Of course, it's a big opportunity as a player. It's the player’s job to seize opportunities when they arise. The older players told me they hoped I would show my skills with confidence."
Jordan has ace Musa Al-Tamari (28, Rennes). There is a high possibility that he will collide with Lee Tae-seok. Lee Tae-seok remarked, "I have to block a player who is performing really well in Europe. I think I need to analyze him well before the match and identify his weaknesses."
Lee Tae-seok's father is Lee Eul-yong, the Gyeongnam FC manager and a key figure in the '2002 Korea-Japan World Cup semifinals myth.' Lee Eul-yong, known for his fighting spirit and accurate kick, scored three goals in 51 A-matches.
Did he not have any advice from his father? Lee Tae-seok shared, "He reached out to me first after the match. Although the result was disappointing, he said that my performance wasn't bad. He expressed his hope that we would definitely win the next match," which gave me courage.
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