'Volunteer' successfully completed its six-month journey with overwhelming emotion and joy, achieving victory in the national futsal championship. Including a personal donation of 10 million won from Lee Chan-won, the total donation amount of 'Volunteer' reached 65 million won.
The much-anticipated final story of the national futsal championship unfolded in the KBS2 program 'Volunteer' broadcast on the 24th. The 'Volunteer,' made up of retired soccer legends with an average age of 41.4 years who didn’t even understand the futsal rules, created a new history by dominating the nation in just six months. In particular, 'Volunteer' ignited an unyielding passion that surpassed their limitations, moving the audience to tears. Lee Chan-won, a 'strong supporter' who laughed and cried along with them, contributed 10 million won out of his own pocket, uniting their efforts. With the 8 million won prize money obtained from this match and the 10 million won from Lee Chan-won, 'Volunteer' donated 18 million won to children at risk of food insecurity. Thus, 'Volunteer' achieved a cumulative donation amount of 65 million won.
The youth leadership team LIFE FC, consisting of four professional players, put pressure on 'Volunteer' with their strong physical prowess. However, 'eternal goalkeeper' Kim Young-gwang scored the breakthrough first goal for 'Volunteer,' leading to an amazing comeback victory with a fantastic save during the penalty shootout. Lee Chan-won remarked, 'It was a game that started and ended with Kim Young-gwang.'
The match against the 'strongest college soccer team' Konkuk University’s soccer team was a showdown of pride between the class of 1996's Lee Young-pyo & 1998's Hyun Young-min and their juniors from the class of 2024. Contrary to expectations that the Konkuk University team would not be accustomed to futsal, they completely executed their style and overpowered 'Volunteer.' Lee Young-pyo and Hyun Young-min praised their juniors' excellent skills while adding warmth to the competition.
In a situation where they were cornered with 2 wins and 2 losses, 'Volunteer' entered the last game, betting everything on the success of the national championship, revenge, and donations. The opponent was Gimpo Zest, who had previously humiliated 'Volunteer' with a crushing defeat last year. A thrilling back-and-forth battle between the two teams unfolded once again, and as fatigue made it hard to endure the mental strain, Lee Young-pyo said, 'We have the 'winning mentality' to overcome moments of crisis,' expressing confidence in victory. Moments later, Jo Won-hee, receiving a pass from Baek Ji-hoon, scored a fantastic winning goal, creating a surge of excitement and emotion. Jo Won-hee, who played despite a fracture in his ankle, shared teary reflections, saying, 'I was more focused on not letting the team lose because of me, and I pushed through until the very end.'
In the end, Lee Young-pyo stated, 'Although time has passed and I have retired, my heart and attitude when putting on my soccer shoes and kicking the ball have not changed at all,' reflecting on the victory in the national championship. Jung Dae-se stated, 'I was truly a selfish player. I couldn’t be happy unless I scored a goal, even in a winning game. However, thinking about the smiles of those receiving donations while doing 'Volunteer' motivated me and helped me take one more step forward during difficult times.'
[Photo] OSEN DB, 'Volunteer'
[OSEN]