Lee Myung-jae and Hong, who returned to the national team after 10 months of the national team, know me best → Whether it's three-back or four-back, you have to do well

Sep 02, 2025

The national team is back after 10 months. Lee Myung-jae strengthened his confidence and determination for his performance.

Lee Myung-jae, who first joined the national team when Hwang Sun-hong served as the acting coach of the South Korean national soccer A team in March 2024, was selected to the national team until the A-match period in November 2024 and played as a key fullback.

However, he had to put down the national flag for a while with a challenge for his long dream. Lee Myung-jae joined Birmingham City in the winter transfer market and challenged the England stage. I chose with a lot of expectations, but there were not many opportunities given to Lee Myung-jae. He made his first appearance at the end of the season, and failed to play, moving away from the call of the national team. Lee Myung-jae, who later returned to Korea wearing a Daejeon uniform through the transfer market this summer, played consistently again and was selected by head coach Hong Myung-bo ahead of the A-match in September.

Lee Myung-jae, who met ahead of the 28th round of the 'Hana Bank K League 1 2025' match against Gimcheon Sangmu at Daejeon World Cup Stadium on August 31, was also determined to play in the national team along with the Taegeuk mark, which has been worn for the first time in a long time. He said "It's quite nice to be back in the national team for the first time in a long time. I thought I could compete in the national team at any time if I played a game. I was raising my body a lot while playing in Daejeon. Coach Hong and the coaching staff also watched it well, so I think I can go."

At the Seoul Shinmun-ro Football Center on the 25th, Hong Myung-bo, head coach of the national soccer team, announced the list of call-ups for the two consecutive A matches in September. Director Hong Myung-bo answers questions. Reporter Huh Sang-wook @sportschosun.com/2025.08.25/

Coach Hong visited the match between Daejeon and Anyang in person and inspected several players, including Lee Myung-jae. When asked if Lee Myung-jae knew in advance that he had watched the game, he said, "I didn't know until after the game"There were many good players other than me, so I thought they came to see it as a whole." When asked if he expected to be selected, he smiled, saying, `There was some, but there was none.'

His experience in Birmingham was precious, but his yearning for the national team was no less. Lee Myung-jae "I had a great experience in England. However, I thought I could play a lot in the game, but it didn't work out as well as I thought. Still, he played a few games and showed good performances, so there were many good things I thought about in Birmingham. However, the goal of going to the national team was great, and coach Hong always said that he had to play in the game to be selected, so he came to Daejeon with the idea of taking on a new challenge. Playing like that, I think I've got this good spot."

Unlike last year, when he was a built-in main player, Lee Tae-seok, who was called up together this year, will compete for the left fullback position. Since it's been a long time since I boarded, competition was low, and yet Lee Myung-jae had a firm idea of competition. "I think the coach knows me best," he said. "What I'm confident in is the offensive side, but I've been hearing a lot about my defense as I've been playing recently. It's up to the coach to play the game. But I didn't get selected because I couldn't go to the game before, so I think I can play enough if I compete again when I'm playing," he replied.

Lee Myung-jae had enough confidence to melt into coach Hong Myung-bo's tactics because he had long experience in Ulsan. He also experienced three-backs in Ulsan, and I think the coach knows that I can stand at three-backs. I don't mind leaving any position. "Whether it's three-back or four-back, I think I should go in and do well."

The reason Lee Myung-jae was able to return to the national team is by far his return to the K-League. In the transfer market this summer, Lee Myung-jae also negotiated re-signing with Birmingham, but returned to Korea under the court of Daejeon. Since joining Daejeon, he has consistently performed well and has shown the performance of a fullback for the national team. Lee Myung-jae "Even if it's not 100% yet, I'm doing 80 to 90%." I don't think it's bad because I'm also raising one point in each of the two games."

With Daejeon experiencing ups and downs recently, Lee Myung-jae played a lot of roles in contributing to his team's victory. He also recorded attack points against Ulsan, Suwon, and Anyang. Lee Myung-jae said, `I'm just playing while having fun. Since winning is the most important thing, I think a lot that even if I score a goal or win with help, I should help the whole team go up well" he said.

Is it a coincidence or fate. Hwang, who first selected Lee Myung-jae for the national team, is currently coaching Lee Myung-jae in Daejeon. Lee Myung-jae said "The reason I went to the national team for the first time was because coach Hwang selected me. That opportunity allowed me to grow further. After that, I did well, so I think I came to this place."

In his first season in Daejeon, Lee Myung-jae looks to the rest of the second half and higher. He added "I want the team to do better. I want to go up higher than now and show my fans fun soccer. I think more people will come to see us when the ranking goes up. I have that goal, and I think we should do our best to play in the Asian Champions League."

His own goal was clear, too. The direction of the performance was clear. Lee Myung-jae said "I came this summer, but I still have a goal that I want to record the most help in the team. I think it's okay now, so I'm going to do well in the rest of the game and increase more offensive points. "

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.