Lee Chun-soo Returns to Torment His Old Team

By: Brett | April 28th, 2009

He was born in the port city of Incheon and is approaching his 28th birthday. He’s dated pop stars and Miss Korea winners. He’s got a cheeky grin, speaks his mind, has had a million hair styles, and, on his day, when he can be bothered, he is the best player in the K-League.

Chunnam Dragons winger cum forward Lee Chun-soo has a bit of a reputation and a lot of mouth. He’s the man who profited on his countries astonishing success at the 2002 World Cup by releasing a book highly critical of his team-mates and then coach, Guus Hiddink. The footballer who once claimed that he was, “better than Beckham.” The man who threatened to, “just rest for the next six months” in 2006, if his then team Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i didn’t grant him a move to a European club.

Yet, the ‘Millennium Kid’, as he’s known throughout the Land of Morning Calm, IS a player of immense talent and undeniable skill (see attached Youtube clip). A match winner in every sense of the word. Just ask the Suwon Samsung Bluewings.

Lee returned to haunt his former team on Sunday afternoon. Back in action for the first time since being suspended for making rude gestures to a linesman on the opening day of the season, he scored one and set up another as his team dominated their hosts and 3-0 lead by half-time. It finished 4-1.

Lee’s always been a star on the local scene. In 2005 he was named K-League MVP after he led Ulsan Hyundai to the league title, despite only playing half the season. It’s the international arena where he’s yet to succeed. He’s had a few shots too – first at Real Sociedad in 2003, then Numancia and most recently, Dutch giants Feyenoord, in 2007. For whatever reason, be it personal or professional, he’s only ever had success in his homeland.

These days, Lee finds himself at Chunnam Dragons, where he’s, “just going to focus on playing good football”. His team have been the leagues entertainers so far this season, scoring 12 and conceding 14 in their six matches to date. Their win on the weekend pushed them up to ninth in the standings. Next up for the Dragons is the struggling Gyeongnam FC. If Lee can stay fit and controversy free, expect the boys from the south to be a lot higher in the standings come play-off time.

Week seven was an interesting one in the K-League. The top five teams all won for the first time this season; last season’s champions Suwon are back in last place and Gyeongnam FC are the only team still without a win. But above all, it had goals. A lot of them. Twenty-three of them in total, including 14 of in three matches alone.

Aside from the five goals at the Suwon World Cup Stadium, there were six at Jeonju Castle, including three in 15 minutes from Jeonbuk Hyundai as they brilliantly defeated Daejeon Citizens 4-2. Another European flop, Lee Dong-gook, was on the scoreboard for the home side.

Another four were scored in Gwangju as the locals came back from a goal down to get the better of Gangwon FC 3-1, whilst FC Seoul needed two in the last ten minutes to overcome Ulsan Hyundai in Ulsan.

Whilst the top five have got a mini-break on the chasing pack, there’s only three points between Busan in sixth and Suwon in fifteenth. After a dull round last week, the K-League is looking good again.

Results: Gwangju 3-1 Gangwon FC, Gyeongnam FC 0-2 Incheon United FC, Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma 2-0 Jeju United FC, Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i 1-2 FC Seoul, Suwon Samsung Bluewings 1-4 Chunnam Dragons, Busan I’Park 1-0 Daegu FC, Jeonbuk Hyundai 4-2 Daejon Citizens, Bye – Pohang Steelers.

Top 5: Gwangju Sangmu (16), Jeonbuk Hyundai (14), FC Seoul (11), Incheon United (11), Seongnam Ilhwa (11).