Lee Jae-sung, a soccer teacher, said, "Thirty-two of my careers just started in the second half...Let's wrap it up in Jeonbuk!"
Lee Jae-sung, a soccer teacher, said, "Thirty-two of my careers just started in the second half...Let's wrap it up in Jeonbuk!"
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Are they at the right age to enjoy their prime? Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), a soccer scholar who is now a veteran player of the national team, is receiving tremendous praise for his outstanding performance in the first half of the German Bundesliga in the 2024-2025 season. Lee Jae-sung, who scored six goals in 29 matches in the Bundesliga last season, has scored five goals in 14 matches this season, boasting the fastest attack point speed in his career. In 2024, he has become an irreplaceable core of Hong Myung-bo by scoring the most matches (17 matches) and the most goals (4 goals) in terms of the calendar year. "Looking back on the first half of the year, it was a very grateful moment," said Lee Jae-sung, who held a New Year's interview with "Sports Chosun" through video, smiling with satisfaction. "It was a time to feel the charm of soccer again, and it was the first half of the year when I was confident that I could advance to higher heights."
The highlight of 2024 was a match against Bayern Munich on Dec. 14 last year at Meva Arena in Mainz, Germany. Having been leading the league unbeaten since the season's opening, Lee scored multiple goals, one each in the first half and the second half, giving the team a surprise 2-1 victory. It was his accomplishment by drilling through his teammate, Munich center back Kim Min-jae twice. "I was happy to win the match against Munich, the best team in the world, by scoring multiple goals," Lee Jae-sung, who picked Munich as his most memorable match in 2024, said. "There were moments when I intersected with (Kim) Min-jae, who looked sad after scoring the goal. I was so excited that I couldn't pay attention to the goal," he said. "After the match, I had a short conversation with Min-jae and Hong Hyun-seok (Mainz). "I want to play for a team that plays as hard as Mainz, united as one team." Min-jae jokingly said, "I want to play for a team that plays as hard as Min-jae." Min-jae is doing well after fierce competition in the world-class team, which is good to see. "I hope you will continue to show good performance in Korean soccer."
Mainz, who remained at the bottom of the league in the early days of this season, finished fifth in the first half of this season by securing five wins from the last six games. In the Bundesliga, the top four players will advance to the European Champions League, while the fifth one will play in the European Europa League. Lee Jae-seong, who debuted as a pro in Jeonbuk in 2014 and joined Germany's second division Holstein Kiel in 2018, has achieved his dream of entering the European Big League by joining Mainz in 2021, but has no experience in competing in European clubs. Lee Jae-seong's goal was naturally set in line with the Champions League. "I didn't expect to finish the first half in such a good order. I have more greed," Lee said. "I really want to prepare well in the second half of the year and advance to the European tournament. If I get to participate, it will be fun to play against other teams like England and Spain." Lee Jae-seong set his personal goal by scoring double-digit points for the first time in his career.
After failing to win the title at the Asian Cup in 2024, Lee maintained his second term as national team coach without hesitation while four coaches (including temporary ones) were at the helm. In October, Lee scored consecutive goals only with the "hidden talent" header in two consecutive matches against Jordan (2-0 win) and Iraq (3-2 win), spearheading the national team's winning streak. "There is no secret. I just scored through a header thanks to my teammate's good cross," Lee said. Having played in 94 A matches, Lee is expected to join the Century Club in the second half of this year, which marks the 10th anniversary of his A team's debut. 토토사이트 "When I joined Jeonbuk from college, I wondered if I would survive in the professional league. Now, I want to become a member of the national team and have been playing in Europe for a long time. The Century Club is a dream moment. It would be an honor. However, every game in the last 94 games is precious to me."