Lee Seung-woo (Jeonbuk Hyundai) completely changed the flow of the second half against Ulsan. Although he was substituted in, he clearly made an impact. With quick judgment, skillful movement, and a decisive pass, he turned the tide. At the center of this drama created by a single substitution card was Lee Seung-woo, who has been quietly honing his skills.
On the 31st of last month, Jeonbuk won 3-1 against Ulsan HD in the K League 1 Round 17 "Hyundai Derby" held at Jeonju World Cup Stadium.
With this victory, Jeonbuk solidified its position at the top alongside an unbeaten streak in the league for 13 matches.
Substituted in for Song Min-kyu in the 14th minute of the second half, Lee Seung-woo created the initial opportunity for a go-ahead goal in the 41st minute and recorded an assist for the closing goal during stoppage time, proving his worth.
After the match, Lee Seung-woo expressed, "It's always thrilling to play in front of so many spectators. Ulsan also came out aggressively, making it even more exciting. This is the charm of the 'Hyundai Derby.'"
He added, "I was carefully watching to avoid being caught offside and timed my shot perfectly, which led to (Park) Jin-seop scoring the goal. I'm happy it ended up being helpful.
Although Lee Seung-woo has not had many opportunities since joining Jeonbuk, he made a significant impression during this Hyundai Derby.
In particular, the assist for Thiago's goal was a crucial moment that boosted his confidence.
Lee Seung-woo stated, "The number 9 position at Jeonbuk is always a burden. It's not easy for any player who steps in. However, I have been preparing for that position. The fact that I came to Jeonbuk itself is proof of my ability. All it needed was time."
His performance that day was a moment proving that the patience he had built over the past few months was not in vain.
Lee Seung-woo remarked, "I often talk with the coach. It's comfortable because we can communicate in Spanish. In a situation where the team is doing well, I have no reason to feel dissatisfied. I was just quietly waiting for my turn while preparing."
Lee Seung-woo also noted, "I'm so happy that I was able to help the team in a game like today. Since coming to Jeonbuk, there have been many matches where I didn't meet expectations, and I was frustrated with myself. But I believe I contributed in a crucial match today. This is exactly why I came to Jeonbuk."
On that day, 31,830 spectators entered, marking a sell-out for the first time in Jeonju World Cup Stadium's history. Additionally, a dramatic comeback was completed in the Hyundai Derby.
Experiencing a sell-out stadium for the first time since joining Jeonbuk, Lee Seung-woo displayed a brighter smile than ever.
Lee Seung-woo emphasized, "Today's victory is thanks to the fans. In this atmosphere, no team will find it easy to come to Jeonju. The cheers of the fans were the driving force that allowed us to add two more goals until the end."
Lee Seung-woo is overcoming all the difficult times. Although it was a short period, he fiercely engaged in both the Ulsan and Hyundai Derby matches. In that brief time, there was a strong impact. Coach Po-led's brave substitutions awakened another 'hidden card.' The turnaround for Jeonbuk, which began with Lee Seung-woo's feet, now marks the true beginning of his season.
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