Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: With the AFC Champions League 2016 Group Stage starting soon, join the-afc.com to look at one of the competition's key players, Lee Dong-gook of Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
KEY PLAYER: LEE DONG-GOOK - Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
AFC Champions League Record
Appearances: 44
Goals: 27
PROFILE
The AFC Champions League’s leading-goalscorer with 27 goals, evergreen striker Lee Dong-gook, 37 in April, shows no signs of slowing down – witness his sensational overhead kick against Kashiwa Reysol last year.
A legend on both the continent and his homeland, where he snapped up last season’s K-League Classic MVP award for a record-breaking fourth time, the player known as ‘The Lion King’ is still the main man for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
Although he did play overseas in the Bundesliga and the English Premier League with Werder Bremen and Middlesbrough respectively, it is Asia that has seen the best of Lee Dong-gook.
While the 2011 AFC Champions League, where he was named MVP and Top Scorer remains his banner year, their defeat in that final is enough motivation for Lee Dong-gook and Jeonbuk to aim for a return to the continental showpiece.
IMPORTANCE TO TEAM
Lee Dong-gook, when on top form, is among Asia’s finest forwards. He is lethal inside the penalty area, able to play with his back to goal, and immensely difficult to handle for defenders.
The former Korea Republic international may not offer as much in terms of build-up play, but then he prefers to focus on one thing: goals. And he keeps on proving that age is no obstacle to his trade.
ONES TO WATCH
At 23, Lee Jae-sung is one of the brightest young talents at Jeonbuk and the midfield schemer was named in the 2015 K-League Best Eleven. Jeonbuk’s closed season transfers brought in a plethora of talent including Korean internationals Kim Bo-kyung, formerly of Wigan Athletic, and giant striker Kim Shin-wook.