Daejeon Hana Citizen’s midfielder Lee Jin-hyun, born in 1997, had a similar determination evaluation followed like a tag until 2021. ‘He has excellent kicks and techniques using his left foot, but he can’t use them properly’. ‘A player who stands out from moment to moment, but the impact on the game and the season as a whole is disappointing’.
He has already been recognized for his talent to the extent that he was selected for the A national team in 2018, but it was not long before he was considered a sure starter even in his team. In the meantime, the time to shine passed through Austria Vienna, Pohang, and Daegu. Then, in 2021, Lee Jin-hyun wore a Daejeon uniform and reunited with coach Lee Min-seong, who was with the Asian Games team.
The 2023 season, when Daejeon returned to K-League 1 after 8 years. Now, Lee Jin-hyun is the most brilliant player in Daejeon, and he is poised to become the ruler who shakes the entire league. Last season, he scored 4 goals and 5 assists in 27 K-League 2 games (added 2 assists in the promotion playoffs), but this season he is posting 3 goals and 4 assists in 9 games in the first division. He is tied for first in assists and tied for first in points on offense. Head coach Lee Min-seong said, “Last season, Jin Hyun-yi opened his eyes to soccer. He made great efforts, synergized well with the team, and built up his confidence, so he is exploding with his performance this season.”
Lee Jin-hyun, who shows impressive performances in every game in the 2023 season, drew attention once again in the 9th round of the Jeonbuk expedition held on the 26th. In the 28th minute of the second half, in a corner kick situation, the ball kicked strongly with his left foot and was sucked into the Jeonbuk net. It was a unique skill shown by kickers who enjoyed an era in the K-League, such as Shin Tae-yong, Ko Jong-soo, and Hyun Young-min먹튀검증. On this day, JTBC Golf & Sports commentator Kim Hyung-beom, who also had a knack for kicks, was in charge, and he praised Lee Jin-hyun’s left-footed kick. It was a scene that would leave a strong impression on national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who came down to Jeonju after a business trip to Europe this morning to watch the match.
Lee Jin-hyeon explained that it was a goal he was aiming for, just like in the interview after the game. He didn’t practice especially, but his kicking sense has reached its peak now, to the extent that he immediately tried such a scene and scored a goal.
“I haven’t practiced separately before. I tried it on the spot. There are such goals. When the goalkeeper anticipates and comes out, I prefer to hit it with a far post on purpose. It came out as a post, so I wanted to aim for the third one myself, so I kicked it like that.”
“Of course, the opponent analyzes me and predicts the direction before coming out. I prepare a set piece, but when the situation comes, I look at everyone’s position and make the best choice. I am very confident that I will be able to score more goals.”
For fans of Daejeon, Lee Jin-hyun’s left-footed skills from last season are vividly remembered. In May 2022, against Busan at home, Lee Jin-hyun scored all 4 goals scored by his team in the second half with his left foot. A goal came from the 3rd round of a corner kick he rolled up from the right (2 assists were recognized), and the last reverse goal was a left-footed shot aiming for the corner calmly in the box. Daejeon, which allowed 3 goals first, won 4-3 with Lee Jin-hyun’s one-man show. Lee Jin-hyun showed more confidence in his current kick sense than before.