Lee Sang-min expressed his gratitude to everyone who helped him while playing 100 K-League games. Among them, he was especially grateful to his older brother.
On the 18th, Seoul E-Land FC, which played the 8th round of the Hana 1 Q K League 2 2023 at Bucheon Sports Complex in Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, won a 1-0 victory over Bucheon FC 1995. Cha Seung-hyun scored the winning goal in the 34th minute of the first half. Seoul E-Land recorded their first away victory this season and their first goalless victory in the league.
This match was Lee Sang-min’s 100th match in the K-League. Lee Sang-min, who debuted on the professional stage at Suwon Samsung in 2017, worked in Suwon until 2020, including the rental period of Suwon FC, before moving to Ansan Greeners for the 2021 season. He rapidly accumulated the number of games as he leaped to the starting lineup in Ansan, and celebrated his 100th game at E-Land, Seoul, which he joined ahead of this season. He has recorded 9 goals and 9 assists in 10 K-League 1 games and 90 K-League 2 games.
Lee Sang-min, who met with ‘Footballist’ after the match, said, “It’s my 7th year as a professional. There were times when I was preparing for a chance to play in one game at the beginning of my debut, but before I knew it, I set a record of playing 100 meaningful games. The teacher who gave me the opportunity I am grateful to all of them and I am also grateful to the Seoul E-Land teachers who are giving me this opportunity now. I am really grateful to the club front and to everyone who is working hard at the club.”
The number of appearances in his last three seasons, including this season, is 78. When he was in Suwon at the beginning of his professional career, it was difficult to get a chance because there were many outstanding players. He only made 10 league appearances in 3 seasons.
In response to a question about reaching 100 games over seven seasons, Lee Sang-min said, “At the beginning of my debut, I thought, ‘I think I was ready, but why not give me a chance to play?’ Looking back now, I was quite lacking. It helped me a lot. I gained experience like that and came to the 100th game. It was a time I was grateful for.”
He received a lot of congratulations as he stepped up to a height as a professional player. Lee Sang-min said, “Hyung made me a placard. Originally, he gave a lot of sincere support. I found a placard when I went to the stadium today, and it was touching. I felt again that ‘there is someone who sincerely supports me’. Thank you very much. The manager and coaches congratulated me, and during the players meeting, (Kim) Won-shik said that my brother congratulated me. I think I will have to buy food soon,” he laughed.
Meanwhile, on this day, Seoul E-Land players had a long meeting after the game. An official from Seoul E-Land said,안전놀이터 “It seems that they are having a serious conversation.”
When asked about the contents of the ‘serious conversation’, Lee Sang-min said, “I scored the opening goal in the first half of the day, but the situation continued in the second half. The manager and coaches also said thank you for sticking through. During the players’ meeting, they talked about their gratitude to each other. Also, enjoy today,
After reaching 100 games, Lee Sang-min’s next goal coincides with the team’s goal. “I tend to focus on the current situation rather than the future. I hope our team can get out of the current situation. The goal is to prove our competitiveness by rising to a higher position,” he said.