Lee Tae-seok (22) made his debut for the Pohang Steelers. Lee’s debut match was against FC Seoul.
Pohang lost 1-2 against Seoul in the 26th round of the K League 1 of the 2024 season at Pohang Steelyard on Aug. 11.
Lee is a left fullback. However, he started as a right-handed striker in his debut match in Pohang. Lee displayed impressive performance as a winger, boasting tremendous activity and sharp kick. Lee also posted one assist on the day. Here is the story of Lee who finished his debut match in Pohang against his former team.
Q. He made his Pohang debut against his former team Seoul.
I did as well as I prepared. However, it’s too bad that the results didn’t follow.
Q: The first opponent after moving to Pohang was Seoul. You must have been emotional.
Honestly, I was excited since I was preparing for the game. I was also worried. As soon as I entered the stadium, I focused on what I had to do without paying much attention. I wanted to contribute to Pohang’s victory. This is the beginning. I failed to bring results against Seoul, but I want to repay with better performance by sweating more.
Q: Originally, he was a left fullback. In his debut match in Pohang, he played as a right winger. I heard it was his first time as a winger since elementary school.
Pohang has a very outstanding player named Wandelson. He is the main left fullback in Pohang. I knew coach Park Tae-ha wanted to use me. I thought about various positions. Then, we talked about ‘let’s deploy all the forward and do well’. I had several meetings with the coach. I watched a lot of videos to refer to while preparing for this game. I had a lot of worries.
We also played practice games. I wasn’t used to it, but the more I played, the more I learned what to do. I also used what I saw in the video in practice. However, it is regrettable that I missed the opportunity to score. It is such a shame. The Seoul players did a good job. I will forget the last game. I will do my best to prepare for the next game.
Q. What did your father (Lee) tell you during the transfer process.
We talked a lot. Regarding the transfer to Pohang, we focused on soccer. My father also said, “It will be a great help to your growth.” My father thought of my opinion first.
Q: Pohang Stillyard is Korea’s first soccer stadium. How did it feel to play at Stillyard with home fans’ support.
Many fans cheered for me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Seoul World Cup Stadium, the home of Seoul, is very big. It is true that the steel yard is small compared to the Seoul World Cup Stadium. However, the size of the stadium is not important. I was able to take a step further with the support of Pohang fans who filled the steel yard. I really want to give you three points in the next game.
Q. Who welcomed you the most among Pohang players.
Pohang has many players of different ages who played with the national team. Before that, I became acquainted with Pohang players. Perhaps that’s why I had no problem adapting to the team. However, soccer in Seoul and Pohang is different. It was not easy to immerse myself in new tactics in a short time. I tried to talk a lot with coach Park Tae-ha, coaches and colleagues. 메이저사이트
Q. Before the game, I saw you smiling and talking with your younger brother, Lee Seung-joon of Seoul. Can you tell me what you talked about.
The players share similar stories before the game. They also checked if they made the roster. They talked to each other even after the game. (Lee) Seung-joon is originally a flanker. He said to me, “You did better than I expected.” I told him, “Well done, let’s meet and talk separately.”
Q. Do you have any new goals while wearing the Pohang uniform.
Pohang is a team that is competing for the lead in the K League 1. It is also in the semifinals of the Korea Cup. It will also play in the AFC Champions League. “We have played a lot of matches. I want to provide as much help as possible to the team. I will take care of my body as possible. I have no personal greed. I want to play as many games as possible without getting hurt.”
Q: It may be a sensitive issue, but he is reportedly heading to Ulsan HDFC. As far as I know, he had a hard time as his transfer to Ulsan was canceled.
To be honest, it was hard. It was natural that it was hard. I tried not to think about soccer as much as I could. I forgot about soccer for a while and tried to heal in another place. I talked a lot with my acquaintances outside of soccer. I think I found peace of mind while doing that.
Q. There was also a rumor in the soccer world that “Lee Tae-seok has set up a house in Ulsan.”
It’s a rumor. It’s all a rumor. I was in Seoul the whole time when people said I bought a house in Ulsan. It was time to improve my physical condition by exercising. People around me talked about this and that, but I tried not to pay attention to it as much as possible. I tried to focus only on what I had to do. That helped me a lot.
Q. Your family must have helped you a lot to get your mind together.
That’s right. My family cared the most from the beginning. Next are acquaintances who are close to me. I talked a lot with my family and acquaintances.
