Lee Geun-ho has spent the most time with Daegu FC in his 20-year professional career. He spent five seasons in Daegu’s jersey, including until 2023. The next longest stint was with Ulsan Hyundai. Lee spent the 2012 and 2018-2020 seasons with Ulsan, and his time in Ulsan literally gave him some of his best moments in the K League. In the second installment of Daegu MBC’s special “Lee Geun-ho’s Last Dance,” we take a look back at Lee’s time in Ulsan before he travels to Ulsan this weekend for what will be his last visit as a player.

Leaving Daegu for ‘Japan’—Returning to K League ‘Ulsan’
After flying under the radar in Incheon, Lee Geun-ho showed his true colors at Daegu FC and earned a spot on the national team. With his elevated status as a top striker in Korea, Lee attracted the attention of the top teams in the K League, and he tried to go abroad. He aimed for Europe, but after facing various difficulties, he was unable to sign with a K League team and decided to move to the J League. Lee’s time with Jubilo Iwata took a twist and turn that led him to Gambaoshika, where he spent three years. After a good 2009 season in which he was a key player for the team, the club failed to qualify for Europe by the summer. A disappointing 2010 season saw him drop out of the national team. In 2011, Lee literally took off for Gamba Osaka. Lee returned to form in the J-League and earned a spot on the national team, but his military obligations were getting the better of him and he decided to return to the K League.

When Lee returned to the K League for the 2012 season, he was faced with penalties from the J League and compensation from his original Korean club, Daegu FC. Lee resolved the penalties with the Japanese team at his own expense, and after sorting out a number of complicated situations, he returned to the K League with Ulsan Hyundai, a team that shared his glory years.

2012 AFC Player of the Year leads Ulsan to undefeated ACL title
When Lee returned to the K League, he was literally an upgraded version of himself. He scored the second-most goals of his career in the K League, and in the AFC Champions League, he’s even more impressive. With four goals and six assists in 12 matches in the ACL, and a goal in the Club World Cup, he has the most offensive points in a season of his career. 짱구카지노 주소

The team went undefeated in all of their ACL matches, and while they may have been disappointed with their fifth-place finish in the league, dominating the Asian stage is no mean feat, and Lee’s 2012 AFC Player of the Year award is further proof that he was at the center of it all.

After a strong season with Ulsan, Lee was also the ace of the national team. After leaving Ulsan with the trophy, Lee enlisted in the South Korean army and left for permanent duty.