"The sun doesn't set in Daegu." Lee Keun-ho, a 20-year-old professional, retired from Daepakseo today
The farewell match will be held on the 3rd to wrap up the 20-year professional career of South Korean legendary striker Lee Geun-ho (38) of "Daegu's Sun."
Daegu FC will play its last game of the season against Incheon United at DGB Daegu Bank Park at 2 p.m. on the 3rd. Daegu has been preparing for the stage for legend Lee Geun-ho, the first hero of the retirement ceremony since the opening of DGB Daegu Bank Park (Daeppak), for nearly two months since mid-October. It is meaningful to wrap up the last stage with Daegu fans in the home turf "Daeppak" at Final A. It is also meaningful that 38-year-old Lee Keun-ho will play his last game against Incheon, who wore his first professional uniform as a teenager. Tickets for the last home game on the day were sold out early on the 26th, a week before the game.
Lee Keun-ho, a promising striker for Korea's future when he was at Bupyeong High School in Incheon, played in the second division in Incheon, where he joined the pro league in 2004. No goals in eight games in the 2005-2006 season. He flew from Daegu, where he risked his career and made 10 goals and 3 assists in 2007 and 13 goals and 6 assists in 2008. His soccer life was in full bloom as he played an active role as a national striker. He played for J-League Jubilo Iwata (2009-2010) and Gamba Osaka (2010-2011) for three seasons and was recognized for his skills. Moving to Ulsan Hyundai in the K-League ahead of his military enlistment in 2012, he was selected as the 'Acham' MVP along with winning the Asian Champions League, and in 2013, he won the championship with 15 goals and 6 assists in Sangju Sangmu uniform, leading to promotion to the first division. In 2015, Jeonbuk won the first division championship, and since then, each team going to Jeju and Gangwon has been loved by fans as the best veteran and the best ace.
Lee Keun-ho, who expressed his intention to retire in an interview with Sports Chosun in mid-October, said, "The decision was made after a lot of consideration," adding, "I was motivated to work harder after my son was born earlier this year. However, on the other hand, I thought that there might be other parts of my life other than the happiness of soccer." "Playing as a player is so good, playing soccer is so good, and playing in front of fans is also good. They are receiving the best care in all aspects of life and management. However, in order to take the next step, it is time to take on another challenge rather than snacks," he said, explaining the reason for his retirement. "Thankfully, I haven't looked bad so far and the team has made it to the top split. I decided to leave at the best of times. "There are many players who retire because they miss the moment of choice, but if I can leave when I can choose, wouldn't it be now?" he said with a smile.
By the time he re-wears his Daegu uniform in 2021, he has already decided to retire from Daegu. "From the time I came back to this team, I had decided to finish in Daegu. I want to finish my soccer story in a team called Daegu, which started my soccer as a professional. I think it's time for everyone to leave." Asked about his plans after retirement, Lee Keun-ho replied, "I want to get an A-level leadership certificate next year and open a soccer class in Daegu." The broadcasting side is also considering it positively if there is a proposal. I'm also thinking about YouTube. Above all, I want to spend a lot of time with my family."
The game was prepared as a stage for Lee Keun-ho, the "Daegu Sun," throughout the day. The Daegu club predicted, "From noon, when the sun is highest in the sky, the outdoor square of DGB Daegu Bank Park turns into a festival venue." In the center of the outdoor plaza, Lee Keun-ho's large photo wall, number photo zone, and character photo zone with the sunset in the background were created so that fans could capture their last memories with Lee Keun-ho with photos and videos. Fans who participate in the table soccer match against the cheering squad will be presented with three types of Lee Keun-ho character stickers.
At the outdoor plaza booth, 10,000 first-come, first-served people will be given Lee Keun-ho's keyring for the 2023 season, and season holders will be given Lee Keun-ho's hologram tickets. In the case of paper tickets, it is designed as a special design containing memories of Lee Keun-ho in the past and Lee Keun-ho in the present smiling together.
Lee Keun-ho himself prepared a gift with his own money to thank the fans for their consistent love for 20 years. Lee Keun-ho's family will hand over Lee Keun-ho's key ring in the 2007 season to 2023 fans on a first-come, first-served basis.
At the stadium on this day, fans wearing Lee Keun-ho's uniform will join Lee Keun-ho's last player position as player escorts. Before the start of the game, the Korea Professional Football Federation and Daegu FC Angel Club plan to present Lee Keun-ho with a plaque of appreciation and a bouquet of flowers. In commemoration of Lee Keun-ho's uniform number "22," the entire audience cheers for Lee Keun-ho's farewell match with a standing ovation in the 22nd minute of the first half, while the card section and the supporters' banner performance will be held in the S seat.
At halftime, a Daepak music show and a video quiz show consisting of songs that Lee Keun-ho wants to play to his fans will be held, and he will also give generous prizes such as one global electronics company Changhong TV, one refrigerator, and two overseas T-way tickets (Daegu-Danang) through a lottery for reservations.
After the whistle at the end of the game, a ground for only Lee Keun-ho will be prepared. Lee Keun-ho's official retirement ceremony will be held at a special podium installed in the ground center circle, and the club, supporters, and family members will give a plaque of appreciation and a bouquet of flowers to Lee Keun-ho, a "real professional" who has been working hard for 20 years. Lee Keun-ho will also give his fans his final greetings through his official retirement announcement.
Lee Keun-ho's last way home from work is also with 1,500 fans. Daegu sold tickets for the 2023 Daegu FC season-ending ground opening (2200 won to 22,000 won) to 1,500 people on a first-come, first-served basis through Ticket Link from 8 p.m. on the 29th. It plans to provide a commemorative ticket to see Lee Keun-ho's hidden video letter, and donate the soccer development fund by combining the profits generated from it with Lee Keun-ho's personal donations.
Lee Keun-ho's last way home from work in Daepak will be joined by all Daegu FC players, including Lee Keun-ho. Various events will also be held, including thank-you greetings from major players and greetings from players scheduled to join the military.