Among domestic professional soccer players, Changmin Lee (29, Jeju United) is an indispensable figure when it comes to a resource capable of scoring goals with a mid-range shot.
In the highlights of Lee Chang-min’s goal scenes, many of them are mid-range shots. His exciting shots that shake the net from the center of the midfield or the left and right corners of the penalty area, far from the goal, delight the viewer. Lee Chang-min’s talent, which can be digested by both the second offensive line and the central midfielder, plus shooting, so opponents who block him must change the level of pressure.
This year is a special year for Lee Chang-min, who started his professional career at Gyeongnam FC in 2014. He is entering his 10th year and is faced with a choice to fulfill his military service obligations. With 30 goals and 26 assists in 246 K-League games, he can even join the 30 (goal)-30 (assist) club if he wants to.
Lee Chang-min, who met on the 7th at the K-League field training media camp held at Barev Hotel in Seogwipo, Jeju-do, said, “I couldn’t show that kind of image (mid-range shooting goal) last year. This year, I will do well until I go to the army and leave.” He expressed his will to try to his heart’s content when a shooting situation arises without paying attention to the coach.
The time of his enlistment has not been set, but he will fulfill his military service as a public service member in the K4 League (4th division) Geoje Citizen Soccer Team. It is a great blessing for him to continue playing football in any way.
Of course, within the team tactics, Chang-min Lee’s long-distance shooting weapon must be used. He said, “I will make the most of my strengths so that I do not deviate too much from the football that the coach pursues. If, as coach Nam Ki-il said, he finished second or higher, breaking the Yanggang composition between Ulsan Hyundai and Jeonbuk Hyundai, Chang-min Lee’s mid-range shooting stake would be quite high.
He has another reason to use mid-range shooting. In the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, there were so many cases where mid-range shooting changed the tide. In Korea, Baek Seung-ho (Jeonbuk Hyundai) cut the net with a high-quality left-footed mid-range shot in the match against Brazil in the round of 16, confirming the score of 1-4.
‘Taegeuk Mark’ is also a big task for Changmin Lee. He has been steadily passing through the national team by age group, but he is small in front of the A national team. In total he played 7 matches and scored 1 goal. That one goal was the Polish expedition match held in Katowice, Poland on March 27, 2018. 먹튀검증
Lee Chang-min, who appeared in place of Ki Sung-yong (FC Seoul) in the 35th minute of the second half, scored a goal two minutes later with a quick left-footed ground ball mid-range shot. Two minutes later, Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton) added a goal and lost 2-3, but it was a memorable goal for Lee Chang-min.
He said, “Looking at last year, there were fewer effective shots compared to the frequency of shots. It was a frustrating part myself. I think I didn’t try as hard as that.” I’m trying to save it,” he foreshadowed the famous scene.
Team A starts anew with a new coach. When asked about Lee Chang-min’s willingness to try again with national team A, he said, “In the end, it’s a lack of ability. I always think that way. Isn’t it impossible to go to the national team because it is lacking? The national team has to look at everything. “, he confessed frankly.
Of course there is hope. At the World Cup in Qatar, the performance of veterans in their mid-30s dominated the game. Experienced players such as Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain) and Luka Modric (Real Madrid) showed their strength. Changmin Lee also said, “Watching the World Cup made me want to go before I retire. Watching Modric play, I thought that he is working hard even though he is that old.”
Will Changmin Lee get a chance under the new coaching system? In the end, the performance in Jeju determines whether or not to reunite with the Taegeuk mark. This is all the more so considering that the journey to the 2026 World Cup in North and Central America is long. He said, “I have to do well in the team (to serve in the military) and show a good figure even when I go (to Jeju).