Jeonbuk's Lee scores winner against Suwon

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Jeonbuk's Lee scores winner against Suwon

At 41, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors striker Lee Dong-gook is the oldest player in K League 1 football this year.
 
And by scoring the winning goal against Suwon Samsung Bluewings in the 2020 season opener Friday, Lee sent a loud and clear message across the league: that he isn't just hanging around, hoping to play out the string.
 
Lee headed home a Son Jun-ho corner in the 84th minute to seal the 1-0 win at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, 240 kilometers (149 miles) south of Seoul. He raised his all-time leading goals total to 225.
 
It was the first match of the season, which has been delayed by more than two months because of the coronavirus outbreak.
 
Lee's goal salvaged three points for Jeonbuk in a match that seemed destined for a scoreless draw. Jeonbuk spent the majority of the second half in Suwon's zone, but the Bluewings crowded the box and kept foiling chance after chance.
 
It was only after Suwon midfielder Terry Antonis was sent off with a direct red card that Jeonbuk were able to break through. Son caught the defense by surprise by taking a quick corner, and Lee redirected it in with his head.
 
"We had a man advantage, and it was late enough in the match that I felt we just needed one goal to win," Lee said. "We'd practiced similar plays on set pieces, and we got the result we wanted."
 
Lee and his teammates celebrated the goal with their "Thank You" hand sign — the right hand with the thumbs up placed on the palm of the left hand — and Lee said the players had planned to make the gesture, no matter who scored. It was to show their appreciation for front-line medical and health workers who've made it possible for football to begin.
 
"I am just thankful and happy that we've begun our season," Lee said. "I won't even think about my stats this year. I am grateful that I am playing these matches at all."
 
Yonhap
 
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