Wikipedia

Lee Keun-ho (footballer, born 1985)

For the younger footballers, see Lee Keun-ho (footballer, born 1993) and Lee Keun-ho (footballer, born 1996).

Lee Keun-ho (Korean: 이근호, born: 11 April 1985) is a South Korean former footballer who played as a forward. His pace, work-rate, and link-up plays mark him as a highly rated forward in Asia. South Korean international since 2007, he currently has 19 goals in 84 caps. He represented his country in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Lee Keun-ho
Lee with Daegu in 2023
Personal information
Full name Lee Keun-ho
Date of birth (1985-04-11) 11 April 1985 (age 39)
Place of birth Incheon, South Korea
Height 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
2004–2006 Incheon United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2006 Incheon United 2 (0)
2007–2008 Daegu FC 46 (19)
2009–2010 Júbilo Iwata 36 (13)
2010–2011 Gamba Osaka 52 (19)
2012–2014 Ulsan Hyundai 33 (8)
2013–2014 → Sangju Sangmu (draft) 43 (19)
2014–2015 El Jaish 18 (2)
2015 → Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (loan) 15 (4)
2016 Jeju United 35 (5)
2017–2018 Gangwon FC 50 (8)
2018–2022 Ulsan Hyundai 52 (6)
2021 → Daegu FC (loan) 30 (3)
2022–2023 Daegu FC 26 (1)
International career‡
2003–2005 South Korea U20 9 (3)
2006–2008 South Korea U23 19 (5)
2007–2018 South Korea 84 (19)
Medal record
Representing  South Korea
Men's football
AFC Asian Cup
Silver medal – second place 2015 Australia Team
Bronze medal – third place 2007 Indonesia/Malaysia/
Thailand/Vietnam 		Team
EAFF Championship
Gold medal – first place 2008 China Team
Gold medal – first place 2017 Japan Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18 September 2022
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 3 February 2018
Lee Keun-ho
Hangul
이근호
Hanja
李根鎬
Revised RomanizationYi Geun-ho
McCune–ReischauerYi Kŭn-ho
In this Korean name, the family name is Lee.

Club career

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After graduating from Bupyeong High School, Lee joined local side Incheon United in 2004. He stayed in Incheon's reserve team for three years, but got a chance to play for a K League club after winning the Best Player award in the R League contested between reserve teams.[1] Daegu FC signed him at the beginning of 2007 season.

Daegu FC manager Byun Byung-joo brought the fast and extremely aggressive "bullet football" tactic to his team.[2] bringin Lee into the spotlight.[3] He became the top scorer among South Korean players in 2007 and 2008 K League.[1][4][5]

Lee wanted to leave for Europe after the end of the contract with Daegu in December 2008. Several European clubs showed their interest in him, and he was offered a trial from Premier League club Blackburn Rovers. However, he turned it down because he worried about the hard competition for a starting position in Blackburn.[6] He signed for J1 League club Júbilo Iwata on a nine-month contract in April 2009.[7][8] He tried to move to Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain in June after playing for Júbilo Iwata for two months,[9] but failed to negotiate with Paris. He finally signed a contract extension with Júbilo Iwata until July 2010.[10]

Lee joined Gamba Osaka in June 2010. He scored 15 goals while playing 32 matches for Gamba in the 2011 J1 League.[11]

On 10 January 2012, he returned to South Korea, signing for Ulsan Hyundai on a three-year deal. During a year in Ulsan, he led his team to the AFC Champions League title, winning the Asian Footballer of the Year award and the Champions League MVP award.[12] The next year, he was transferred to Sangju Sangmu to perform his military service as per South Korean law.

International career

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Lee was selected for the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in Netherlands. However, for most matches, he remained in the bench, not playing a single match in the group stage, while his team-mate Park Chu-young made good impressions. He was confirmed in the Summer Olympics squad in 2006, and became the most valuable player in the squad to qualify for the Olympic games. He was selected for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, and also capped for the South Korea under-23 team in qualification for the 2008 Summer Olympics.

On 29 June 2007, Lee made his senior team debut in a friendly against Iraq through substitution in the second half. Lee also managed to score his debut goal from an assist made by Lee Chun-soo.[13] On 15 October 2008, Lee scored two goals in a qualification match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup against United Arab Emirates. On 19 November 2008, Lee scored the most important goal in his international career yet in an away game against Saudi Arabia, which ended South Korea's nineteen-year losing spell against the Saudis. Although he played in most of the qualification campaign, he was not named for the team to participate in the 2010 World Cup.

Lee was included in South Korea's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup by showing good performances with three goals in the final round of the qualification. In their first group stage match against Russia on 17 June 2014, he came on as a substitute for Park Chu-young in the 52nd minute and scored his first ever World Cup goal in a 1–1 draw when his shot from outside the box was spilled by goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev over his head and over the line.[14] He also assisted Koo Ja-cheol's goal in the second match against Algeria.[15]

Personal life

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Lee was born in Incheon, South Korea. He is well known for his friendship with Ha Dae-sung. Having played together in elementary, middle, and high school, they also played together at Daegu FC. His older brother Lee Won-ho is coaching a local side in Incheon.

Lee is the inaugural president of FIFPro Korea, South Korea's official players' union, since it gained Candidate Member status.[16]

He has been supporting a former football player who suffered a heart attack during a match in 2011.[17][18]

In 2015, he was appointed as the promotional ambassador of the Purme Foundation, which helps disabled children in their path of rehabilitation and is based in Gangneung.[19][20] During his fellowship with the association, he organized several charity football matches and clinics to help the child patients by providing them with scholarships and appropriate equipment.[18][20] In 2017, he also donated a correspondent of ₩100 million (about $90,200) to the foundation.[20]

Following the forest wildfire that brought severe damages all over the Gangwon Province in 2019,[21][22] Lee offered financial support to help the process of recover and rebuilding.[17] He also made donations to the local health services in order to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic.[17]

Thanks to his leading attitude both on and off the pitch and his charity activities, Lee was nominated for the 2020 FIFPro Merit Awards, three special prizes assigned to the footballers who distinguished themselves the most for their impact out of the playing field and their activism.[17][18]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of 18 September 2022
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Incheon United 2004 K League 0 0 1 0 0 0 — — 1 0
2005 K League 0 0 1 0 5 0 — — 6 0
2006 K League 2 0 0 0 1 0 — — 3 0
Total 2 0 2 0 6 0 — — 10 0
Daegu FC 2007 K League 20 8 2 0 7 2 — — 29 10
2008 K League 26 11 3 2 6 2 — — 35 15
Total 46 19 5 2 13 4 — — 64 25
Júbilo Iwata 2009 J1 League 24 12 1 1 1 0 — — 26 13
2010 J1 League 12 1 0 0 4 1 — — 16 2
Total 36 13 1 1 5 1 — — 42 15
Gamba Osaka 2010 J1 League 20 4 5 1 0 0 — — 25 5
2011 J1 League 32 15 1 0 0 0 7 2 — 40 17
Total 52 19 6 1 0 0 7 2 — 65 22
Ulsan Hyundai 2012 K League 33 8 2 1 — 12 4 2[a] 1 49 14
Sangju Sangmu (draft) 2013 K League 2 25 15 2 0 — — — 27 15
2014 K League 1 18 4 0 0 — — — 18 4
Total 43 19 2 0 — — — 45 19
El Jaish 2014–15 Qatar Stars League 18 2 ? ? — 2 0 ? ? 20 2
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (loan) 2015 K League 1 15 4 — — 2 0 — 17 4
Jeju United 2016 K League 1 35 5 1 0 — — — 36 5
Gangwon FC 2017 K League 1 37 8 2 0 — — — 39 8
2018 K League 1 13 0 0 0 — — — 13 0
Total 50 8 2 0 — — — 52 8
Ulsan Hyundai 2018 K League 1 22 4 5 1 — — — 27 5
2019 K League 1 18 2 0 0 — 3 0 — 21 2
2020 K League 1 12 0 3 0 — 8 0 — 23 0
Total 52 6 8 1 — 11 0 — 71 7
Daegu FC (loan) 2021 K League 1 30 3 5 1 — 7 1 — 42 5
Daegu FC 2022 K League 1 26 1 1 0 — 8 3 — 35 4
Career total 438 107 35 7 24 5 49 10 2 1 548 130
  1. ^ Appearances in FIFA Club World Cup

International

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Appearances and goals by national team and year[23]
National team Year Apps Goals
South Korea 2007 3 1
2008 11 5
2009 13 2
2010 5 0
2011 7 2
2012 8 5
2013 11 3
2014 12 1
2015 5 0
2017 6 0
2018 3 0
Career total 84 19
List of international goals scored by Lee Keun-ho
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 29 June 2007 Seogwipo, South Korea   Iraq 3–0 3–0 Friendly
2 11 October 2008 Suwon, South Korea   Uzbekistan 2–0 3–0 Friendly
3 11 October 2008 Suwon, South Korea   Uzbekistan 3–0 3–0 Friendly
4 15 October 2008 Seoul, South Korea   United Arab Emirates 1–0 4–1 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
5 15 October 2008 Seoul, South Korea   United Arab Emirates 3–1 4–1 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
6 19 November 2008 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia   Saudi Arabia 1–0 2–0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
7 4 February 2009 Dubai, United Arab Emirates   Bahrain 2–2 2–2 Friendly
8 28 March 2009 Suwon, South Korea   Iraq 2–1 2–1 Friendly
9 25 March 2011 Seoul, South Korea   Honduras 4–0 4–0 Friendly
10 11 November 2011 Dubai, United Arab Emirates   United Arab Emirates 1–0 2–0 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
11 29 February 2012 Seoul, South Korea   Kuwait 2–0 2–0 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
12 8 June 2012 Doha, Qatar   Qatar 1–1 4–1 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
13 8 June 2012 Doha, Qatar   Qatar 4–1 4–1 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
14 15 August 2012 Anyang, South Korea   Zambia 1–0 2–1 Friendly
15 15 August 2012 Anyang, South Korea   Zambia 2–1 2–1 Friendly
16 26 March 2013 Seoul, South Korea   Qatar 1–0 2–1 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
17 6 September 2013 Incheon, South Korea   Haiti 3–1 4–1 Friendly
18 10 September 2013 Jeonju, South Korea   Croatia 1–2 1–2 Friendly
19 17 June 2014 Cuiabá, Brazil   Russia 1–0 1–1 2014 FIFA World Cup

Honours

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Júbilo Iwata

Ulsan Hyundai

Sangju Sangmu

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

South Korea

Individual

References

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  1. ^ a b 이청용-기성용 등 축구 유망주 키운 ‘R리그’의 반가운 부활 (in Korean). The Dong-a Ilbo. 5 April 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  2. ^ 후퇴를 모르는 변병주의 ‘총알 축구’ (in Korean). JoongAng Ilbo. 5 May 2008. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  3. ^ 이근호, 토종 골잡이 자존심 세운다 (in Korean). JoongAng Ilbo. 11 May 2007. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  4. ^ 대구FC '킬러' 이근호 "올림픽 메달 따고 싶어요" (in Korean). Sports Hankook. 12 April 2008. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  5. ^ [월드컵축구] 또 두 골!…이근호 '해결사란 이런 것' (in Korean). The Korea Economic Daily. 15 October 2008. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  6. ^ "Free agent Lee Keun-ho ponders Blackburn move". Tribal Football. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  7. ^ 이근호, 주빌로 이와타 이적확정…계약기�� 9개월 (in Korean). Sportalkorea. 2 April 2009. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  8. ^ "李 根 鎬（イ グノ）選手の移籍加入内定" (in Japanese). Júbilo Iwata. 2 April 2009. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  9. ^ "Lee Move in Doubt". The Korea Times. 8 July 2009. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  10. ^ "Lee Keun-ho Rejoins Jubilo Iwata". The Korea Times. 20 July 2009. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  11. ^ "選手詳細 - イ グノ" (in Japanese). J.League. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  12. ^ "Lee Keunho crowned Asian player of the year". FIFA. 29 November 2012. Archived from the original on 3 December 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  13. ^ 베어벡호, 이라크에 3–0 완승…이천수 1골 1도움. Daum.net (in Korean). Mydaily. 29 June 2007. Archived from the original on 4 July 2007. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  14. ^ "Russia v South Korea: World Cup 2014 – as it happened". The Guardian. 17 June 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  15. ^ [한국 알제리] 이근호 `정확한 택배 어시스트` (in Korean). Maeil Broadcasting Network. 23 June 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  16. ^ 이근호 프로축구선수협회장 "프로축구연맹·축구협회와 협력" (in Korean). The Chosun Ilbo. 26 February 2019.
  17. ^ a b c d "Eight nominees for the 2020 FIFPRO Merit Awards - FIFPRO World Players' Union". FIFPRO. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  18. ^ a b c Neat, Paul (17 February 2021). "Lee Keun-ho Nominated For FIFPRO Merit Award". kleague.com. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  19. ^ "Striker Lee Keun-ho to Promote Charitable Foundation". The Chosun Ilbo. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  20. ^ a b c "Footballer Lee Keun-ho Donates W100 Million to Charity". The Chosun Ilbo. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  21. ^ "Massive wildfire wreaks havoc on Gangwon towns". The Korea Times. 5 April 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  22. ^ "Wildfire Rips Along South Korea's Eastern Coast, Prompting National Emergency". NPR.org. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  23. ^ "Lee Keun-ho (1985) at Korea Football Association" (in Korean). KFA. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  24. ^ K리그 올스타전에 나설 별들 확정 (in Korean). The Chosun Ilbo. 30 July 2007. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  25. ^ K리그 연맹, 올스타전 참가 명단 발표 (in Korean). Moonhwa Journal 21. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  26. ^ K리그 올스타전 명단 발표…팀 클래식 vs 팀 챌린지 (in Korean). Xportsnews. 14 June 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  27. ^ [K리그]'별들의 전쟁' 2014올스타전, 출전 선수명단 확정 (in Korean). Newsis. 17 July 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  28. ^ ‘베트남서 개최’ 2017 K리그 올스타전, 선발팀 명단 확정 (in Korean). Maeil Business Newspaper. 26 June 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  29. ^ K-리그 베스트11 선정 발표…감독상은 파리아스. Naver (in Korean). YTN. 27 November 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  30. ^ 이운재, MVP 영예...신인상은 이승렬, 감독상은 차범근 감독. Naver (in Korean). Sports Chosun. 9 December 2008.
  31. ^ 데얀, K리그 MVP..감독상은 최용수 '서울 천하'. Naver (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 3 December 2012.
  32. ^ [2017 K리그 어워즈] 표심 분석…과반수 ‘MVP’ 이재성, 90% 지지 ‘영플’ 김민재. Naver (in Korean). SPOTVNEWS. 20 November 2017.
  33. ^ "Livewire Lee name MVP". AFC. 10 November 2012. Archived from the original on 17 November 2012.
  34. ^ Pierrend, José; Garin, Erik (18 January 2018). "Asian Player of the Year". RSSSF.
  35. ^ a b c <프로축구> 이근호 챌린지 MVP·득점상·베스트11 '싹쓸이' (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 3 December 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  36. ^ 손흥민, 팬이 뽑은 '올해의 선수'…'올해의 경기'·'골'은? (in Korean). Sports Chosun. 29 December 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
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