Ulsan HD tied 2-2 at the match against Jeonbuk Hyundai in the "Hana Bank K League 1 2024" held at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium at 2 p.m. on Thursday. Ulsan midfielder Lee Dong-kyung showed great performance by scoring goals in three consecutive matches on the day.
Lee started as a right-sided midfielder, not a central attacking midfielder. Lee threatened Jeonbuk's goal from the beginning of the first half. He dribbled the ball inward from the right side and played the role of playmaker, and attempted to shoot once in the 17th minute of the first half to target Jeonbuk's goal.
The best part about Lee Dong-kyung on the day was the forward pressure. Lee consistently interfered with the build-up of Jeonbuk left-side defender Kim Jin-soo and left center back Koo Ja-yong. And finally, he scored a goal through forward pressure, which paid off.
Lee Dong-kyung pressed strongly when Kim Jin-soo passed to Koo Ja-yong in the 21st minute of the first half in a narrow space on the left. Lee Dong-kyung, who succeeded in predicting the moment Koo Ja-yong gave Kim Jin-soo a pass again, stole the ball. After that, he shook Jeonbuk's net with a strong left-footed shot in a one-on-one chance with the goalkeeper.
In the 39th minute, he was involved in an extra goal. When Choi Kang-min from the right side put the ball into the center, Lee Dong-kyung connected the ball to Lee Gyu-seong with a non-stop pass. Lee passed the ball to the center after dribbling, and Kim Ji-hyun controlled the ball and shot with her right foot. Kim Ji-hyun's shot hit a Jeonbuk defender and went into the net
Lee made Ulsan fans even more excited. On his way to kick the corner in the eighth minute of the second half, he induced spectators to cheer. The spectators responded with heated cheers. Lee completed his mission perfectly in the 14th minute of the second half and left the ground as Um Won-sang was replaced. Despite Lee's performance, however, Ulsan gave back-to-back goals to Lee Dong-joon and Moon Seon-min, drawing 2-2.
Early this season, Lee has been in good condition. As a substitute in the opening game, he scored two goals and one assist to lead the team to victory in a match against Gimcheon Sangmu in the second round. In the third round, he also had one goal and one assist to draw 3-3, and scored a goal in the match, continuing his scoring streak for three consecutive games.
Lee Dong-kyung was a native of Ulsan Sunggol Youth. He graduated from Hyundai Middle and Hyundai High School under Ulsan Pro and signed a three-year contract with Ulsan after moving to Hongik University. Lee, who left for Anyang in the 2018 season, took the starting job for Ulsan from the 2019 season.
In the 2021 season, Lee Dong-kyung emerged as the ace of the team, scoring six goals and three assists in 28 games in the K-League alone. He also scored multiple goals in the quarterfinals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and Lee Dong-kyung transferred to Schalke 04 in Germany on loan.
The European stage was too much for Lee. He played in only one match for Schalke and moved to Rostock in Chinese characters without making his Bundesliga debut. Lee, who had only one assist in 12 matches in Rostock, sought to return to Korea, and returned to Ulsan in June last year.
Lee Dong-kyung, who improved his condition by scoring two goals and two assists in 13 games last season, has been in good condition again early this season. However, Ulsan has to let Lee go for a year and six months. The reason is that Lee has passed the Gimcheon Sangmu and is about to join the military. 스포츠토토
Ulsan coach Hong Myung-bo also expressed regret. "It is quite regrettable. I also have affection for Ulsan. I am a former youth player in Ulsan who has improved well until now. I feel sorry for him as I have to join the military soon," he said after the match.
Despite his disappointment, he expressed his pride in Lee Dong-kyung. "I feel a bit sad, but he is coping well. I think it's a very difficult time, but I'm very proud of him to show Ulsan and his fans that he has overcome it well and does his best until the end. I think he's showing a good performance," Hong said.
Lee Dong-kyung's last match in Ulsan this season is expected to be against Gwangju FC on the 20th or Jeju United on the 28th. Lee Dong-kyung will now face Ulsan in Gimcheon. Lee Dong-kyung is making his last fire in Ulsan.