Pohang Lee Ho-jae, who challenges double-digit scores and the Taegeuk mark, said, "Cannon shooter's blood is not going anywhere."
Pohang Lee Ho-jae, who challenges double-digit scores and the Taegeuk mark, said, "Cannon shooter's blood is not going anywhere."
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Lee Ho-jae (25) of the Pohang Steelers is a Korean striker who represents the K-League. Since he became a starting player in the 2023 season, he has scored 20 goals and six assists in 71 games through this season. He ranks fifth overall in goals scored during the period. Only Joo Min-gyu (33 goals in 77 games, 7 assists) and Lee Seung-woo (22 goals and 9 assists) in 69 games have scored more goals than Lee Ho-jae in Korea.
Thanks to his solid physical condition (191 cm·85 kg), linked play and ability to penetrate the space behind defense, he has good goal pace this season as well. He has three goals in seven matches, ranking second in scoring after Joo Min-kyu (six goals in eight matches). Lee Ho-jae aims to continue his current momentum and reach double-digit goals in his first single season of his career.
"It is regrettable that we failed to reach double-digit goals in both the 2023 season (eight goals in 37 matches, one assist) and the 2024 season (nine goals in 27 matches, five assists)." "I had a hard time because I had surgery on my left ankle in August last year and ended the season early," Lee Ho-jae said. "Fortunately, I am scoring goals well because I recovered quickly. I really want to score double-digit goals this time."
Compared to my early professional years, it has grown remarkably. Lee Ho-jae, who joined Pohang in the 2021 season, had only three goals in 31 games during his two seasons. He received quite a few opportunities as a U-22 player, but failed to show any growth due to his lack of goal-scoring ability. 메이저사이트
Lee Ho-jae won the starting position at Geori. "I felt a lot of pressure ahead of the 2023 season, which will surpass the U-22 age. However, I learned how to connect and penetrate the space behind the defense from Zeka (Taishan, Shandong) and Kim Seung-dae (Daejeon Hana), respectively, and I was able to establish myself smoothly," Lee said.
He also dreams of joining the national soccer team led by Coach Hong Myung-bo. Team Korea, where Cho Kyu-sung (Mit Willan) has been sidelined due to long-term injury, is testing Joo Min-gyu, Oh Hyun-gyu (Henk), and Oh Se-hoon (Machida Zelvia) at the forefront. Since there are not many traditional strikers with good stature, Lee Ho-jae could become close to the national flag if he scores double-digit goals.
He stressed that he is better at shooting than his competitors. When compared with his father Lee Ki-hyung (aged 51) who was famous as a "Cannon shooter," Lee Ho-jae said, "My father taught me how to focus on shooting. "The more good shots you make, the more likely you are to score a goal," he said. "I envy players like my teammate Lee Tae-seok who have been wearing the national flag for two generations. I will make sure to score double-digit points and be selected for the national team."