Pohang Star Scores 5 Goals In 6 Games

With the 2006 World Cup drawing near, the Korean national soccer team’s main attacker, Lee Dong-guk (Pohang Steelers), is on a goal-scoring roll. Lee Dong-guk has scored five goals in six games (0.83 per game) in Samsung Hauzen K League play this season, leading the league with Seongnam’s Wu Seong-yong.

Lee will try for his fourth consecutive match with a goal against Incheon on April 5. Except for his March 19 match against Seoul FC, Lee has managed to score in every match he has played this season, including the league’s opening match.

Lee is showing the highest ratio of goals per game in his pro career. In 1998, the year of his pro debut, he scored 11 goals in 24 games for a personal best ratio of 0.45 goals per game. His second best ratio was in 2003 when he scored 11 goals in 27 games (0.40 per game). 2001 was the worst year for Lee, who managed to score only three goals in 17 games (0.17 per game).

Going through this period of stagnation, Lee was unable to play in 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup. 2002 was not much different for Lee, who ended up scoring seven goals in 21 games he played (0.33 per game).

Determined to go to this year’s World Cup, Lee is giving his all to secure the position of main attacker on the national team. His eagerness transforms into focused play in front of the goal. Lee is quick to pick himself up after a failed shot, trying to grab another chance.

Lee’s performance is maximized when matched up with tall Goh Gi-gu and fleet-footed Choi Tae-wuk. Goh’s ability to handle high flying balls and Choi’s speed have worked well with Lee.

If Lee wants to make his fourth consecutive goal in upcoming Incheon match, he must penetrate the tight defense of Incheon led by its star defender, Lim Jung-yong. Incheon has allowed only three goals in six recent matches. Seven pro soccer games are to be held on April 5, including Seongnam and Busan, who have been on a winning streak,

Won-Hong Lee bluesky@donga.com