By Donghoon Kang = Kwang-yeon “Lightning” Lee (23, Gangwon FC) made a name for himself with a series of solid saves in front of goalkeeping coach Andreas Köpke (61, Germany). He is on an ‘elite course’ and has raised his chances of being called up to the senior national team, if not immediately, then in the future.
Lee started and kept the goal for Ulsan Hyundai in the 26th round home match of the Hana One Q K League 2023 at Gangneung Sports Complex on April 12. For about 97 minutes, including stoppage time, he kept a clean sheet to help secure the win.
On the day, Lee secured a ‘clean sheet’ against Ulsan, an offensively potent team that has been dominant this season and has scored the most goals in the K League (49). The goalkeeper was particularly solid in the second half, stopping a series of shots.
In particular, he made a crucial save in the 41st minute of the second half to save Gangwon from the brink. He almost conceded an own goal when Kang Ji-hoon cleared a cross from the front of the box, but showed incredible reflexes to make the save. Then, when Uhm Won-sang charged at him, he stayed focused and made the save to avoid giving up a second ball.
Not only did he make the save, but he also loudly coordinated and encouraged his defensive line as his fellow defenders became distracted during Ulsan’s wave after wave of attacks from the start to the end of the second half. His performance was witnessed by Köpke’s national team goalkeeping coach.
Lee is a ‘promising’ goalkeeper who is on an ‘elite course’, having been named to the final roster of the Korean national team for the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games next month, following the U-20s. With the stamp of approval from goalkeeping coach Köpke, he has increased his chances of being called up to the senior national team in the future.온라인바카라
Coach Köpke, who is very good at selecting and developing players based on solid evaluation criteria, reportedly said that the goalkeeping position should be an ‘open competition’. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Lee could make the senior national team in the future.
Lee was benched earlier this season before starting four games in a row in April. He then lost his place in the starting lineup again, but has been back in goal since last month. In 10 games, including the FA Cup, she has conceded 12 goals and kept three ‘clean sheets’.