Lee Seung-woo scores again as Hwang readies national team roster

Suwon FC midfielder Lee Seung-woo scored a goal in his side’s 1-1 draw with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Saturday, sending a message to Korean national team interim manager Hwang Sun-hong, who watched the match from the stands.

Suwon FC's Lee Seung-woo, left, celebrates scoring a goal in a K League match against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors at Suwon Sports Complex in Suwon, Gyeonggi on Saturday. [K LEAGUE]

Suwon FC midfielder Lee Seung-woo scored a goal in his side’s 1-1 draw with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Saturday, proving his strength with Korean national team interim manager Hwang Sun-hong in the stands.

Lee opened the scoring in the 46th minute, breaking through the Jeonbuk defense inside the penalty area and slotting the ball into the bottom right corner during the K League 1 match at Suwon Sports Complex in Suwon, Gyeonggi.

That goal was a reflection of his forte: Dribbles and agile movements. It was his second league goal in a row, having scored the winner against Incheon United on March 2.

His notable form comes at a critical point. The national team will be back in action for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Thailand this month, and interim manager Hwang is set to announce his final roster on Monday.

Hwang watched Saturday’s fixture in person, days before locking in his list.

Lee, 26, could have a shot to regain a place on the national team. He has made a handful of caps at the senior level, but his last appearance was in a friendly against Iran in June 2019.

Despite showing a solid performance at Suwon across the 2022 and 2023 seasons — during which he scored double-digit goals for the first time in his career — he was not called up to the national squad, missing the 2022 World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup.

Lee, who spent most of his youth career with Barcelona, was once touted as the “Korean Messi.” But he failed to live up to the high standards set for him from such a young age.

The Korean midfielder never appeared for Barcelona and moved around several teams, including Verona, before winding up at Sint-Truidense in Belgium.

His unimpressive stint in Europe left him little choice but to join the K League, where he was guaranteed more playing time.

Whether Lee will have another chance to put on the Taeguk mark remains to be seen.

The national squad will play two home-and-away format World Cup qualifiers against Thailand on March 21 and March 26.

Korea will play the first game at Seoul World Cup Stadium in western Seoul.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]