Young Lee duo looks to build on U-20 World Cup success

2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup stars Lee Seung-won and Lee Young-joon are looking to continue their success and shine on the bigger stage, just like Lee Kang-in did after the 2019 World Cup.

Lee Seung-won, left, poses for a photo with Lee Young-joon during an interview with the JoongAng Ilbo at Incheon International Airport in Incheon on June 14. [JOONGANG ILBO]

FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023 stars Lee Seung-won and Lee Young-joon are looking to continue their success and shine on the bigger stage, just like Lee Kang-in did after the 2019 World Cup.

“I think you will see those quite often,” Lee Seung-won said during an interview with the JoongAng Ilbo at Incheon International Airport in Incheon on June 14, referring to his goal in a 2-1 victory against France on May 22 at the U-20 World Cup in Argentina.

Lee Young-joon, who scored the winner in that game, also agreed.

The Lee duo was a key part of the young Taeguk Warriors’ success at the World Cup where they finished in fourth place, after beating strong competitors, including top favorite France in the group stage.

Lee Seung-won was the Bronze Ball winner — the third-best player of the competition — with three goals and four assists, while Lee Young-joon managed two goals.

Lee Seung-won’s stats even surpassed Lee Kang-in’s in the 2019 World Cup, when he won the Golden Ball after recording two goals and four assists.

“I think I got good energy from Kang-in,” said Lee Seung-won. “I am learning as I watch him play and I will follow in his footsteps.”

Lee Kang-in became a bigger figure in football after shining at the 2019 World Cup, making his first senior cap in September that year, before becoming a key player at La Liga team Mallorca.

He picked up six goals and seven assists at Mallorca during the 2022-23 season, which induced multiple elite clubs joining the race to sign him, including PSG who are rumored to be close to reaching a deal.

Lee Seung-won’s position is the same as Lee Kang-in, playing as an attacking midfielder who focuses on creativity and team play in order to make assists.

Striker Lee Young-joon, on the other hand, is looking to become like his idol Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur.

He played all seven World Cup games and had his best moment in the round of 16 against Ecuador, when he scored a volley in style.

Korea's Lee Young-joon shoots during a FIFA U-20 World Cup round of 16 match against Ecuador at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero, Argentina on June 1. [YONHAP]

The Lee duo’s next objective is to shine in the K League, where they have not yet been able to display their best performance.

Lee Young-joon made his K League debut with Suwon FC in 2021, but only managed one goal before he joined military club Gimcheon Sangmu of the second division in January.

Lee Seung-won of Gangwon FC only made his K League debut on June 25, having only previously played in the K4 — the fourth division of Korean football — as a reserve player since joining Gangwon in January.

“Being able to play a game is important,” Lee Seung-won said. “I will try to catch an opportunity if it comes.”

He also wants his fellow players to leave nothing on the pitch.

“I was deeply touched when I saw the players running toward the pitch after the quarterfinal ending whistle," he said. "I felt that effort pay off as I saw everything we had prepared came true. I want the other players to live their lives without regret, if they have firm faith, regardless of what others say.”

BY PARK RIN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]