There is a reason for every successful house.
Gangwon FC defender Lee Ki-hyuk (24) has been named in the entry for the second consecutive round of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup in November. Lee Ki-hyuk, who wore the national flag under former coach Paulo Bento in July 2022, returned to the A team for the first time in two years and four months.
There is a difference from the past. Lee changed his position with Gangwon this season. Originally a midfielder, Lee is currently playing center back and side back both in Gangwon. After turning into a defender, Lee became the starting point of the Gangwon build-up by using his wide field of vision and accurate passes. Some say he is still weak in defense capability, but his value in use shines on teams like Gangwon that play aggressive soccer.
In this season's K League 1, Lee ranks second in the number of attempts to pass. He also has 58.8 passes per game. He excels in a team that leads games and builds up from the back.
Coach Hong Myung-bo, who selected Lee, said, "I think he is an interesting player who is highly utilized. He has good multi-talented skills. He also sees center defender, left center back in the form of three-back, side back and original midfielder. Such a player can be an important resource for the national team."
Lee is meaningful in that he can be the main character of "Post Kim Young-kwon." Lee is a left-footed player. Currently, there is no left-footed center back in the national team except Kwon Kyung-won. When Lee settles down for the national team, Hong Myung-bo will have a new option at the World Cup two years later.
Prior to Lee Ki-hyuk, sideback Hwang Mun-ki joined the Hong Myung-bo team in Gangwon Province. Hwang is also on the national team this time. Hwang, who is originally a central midfielder like Lee Ki-hyuk, is showing off his new abilities after transforming into a sideback. This made him a "jackpot" by putting on the national flag. 토토사이트
This season, Gangwon is enjoying fun thanks to its drastic change of position. This is evidenced by the fact that it produced two Korean players, Hwang Moon-ki and Lee Ki-hyuk. The two players have also contributed to Gangwon's sensation this season. Currently, Gangwon ranks second in the K League. It is determined that it will advance to the elite of the Asian Football Confederation Champions League next season. At the center of this trend are the two players.
Lee Yoo-hyun, who has not been selected for the national team, is also a hit movie jointly produced by Yoon Jeong-hwan and senior coach Chung Kyung-ho, who turned from a sideback to a defensive midfielder. In other words, the breakthrough that breaks the mold from stereotypes has led to the success of the team as well as individual development and honor.