The Silverfox Hustle Podcast

Silverfox Hustle #97 - Lee Young-Pyo - Left Back, Right Foot, Number 10: A Korean Legend

Shasi Episode 97

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Lee Young-Pyo, one of Korea's greatest ever players with 127 international caps and three World Cup appearances, sits down with me for a chat.

Lee takes us behind the scenes of Korea's miraculous 2002 World Cup campaign, where they reached the semi-finals against all odds. "We trained together for 200 days," he reveals, explaining how Guus Hiddink's leadership and their intense preparation helped them defeat football powerhouses Portugal, Italy, and Spain. He shares a fascinating tactical secret - wearing the number 10 shirt as a defender to confuse opponents who didn't know Korean players.

The conversation explores the cultural differences between leagues, with Dutch football emphasizing possession, English football valuing directness, and German football offering passionate fan experiences. As a right-footed left-back, Lee explains how this unusual positioning became his advantage throughout his career in Europe.

For young Asian players with European dreams, Lee offers invaluable advice about development pathways and the critical "golden age" between 8-14 years. He assesses today's Korean stars including Son Heung-min, Kim Min-jae, and Lee Kang-in, providing insight into what makes them successful on the world stage.

With characteristic humility, Lee concludes with powerful wisdom that defined his career: "There is no shortcut. Talent is something we cannot control, but effort we can control." His journey proves that discipline, attitude, and perseverance can overcome any limitation in football and in life.

Speaker 1:

This is the Silverfox Hustle podcast. I'm your Shashi and if you notice, we are at a different location. It's not the studios, because we have a very special guest in the house. But before that, click on the follow button. We are out on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. Click on the follow and subscribe button. Please share this love with your family and friends. Like I said, we have an absolute legend in the house. Today. We've got a Korean legend. He's played for Korea 127 times 127 caps. He's played for Korea 127 times 127 caps. He played in three World Cups, notably in 2002, 2006 and 2010. He played for a couple of European legendary clubs like PSV Eindhoven, Tottenham Hotspur, as well as Borussia Dortmund, and here in Singapore to play in the Soccer 7 Series for Borussia Dortmund in the Masters Series. Welcome to the podcast, my friend Lee Yong-kyo.

Speaker 2:

Thank you for having me. It's fantastic the morning in here. So I've been to here several times before with my family, so every single visiting so nice Feels much better than before Beautiful.

Speaker 1:

I just want to ask you, lee, what's your role here with Borussia Dortmund? Your involvement with Borussia Dortmund? Obviously, you played for them, yeah, but what is your role at the moment? Obviously, you retired.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, so after I retired from football, I become some role in Korea and out of the Korea. So my role is the club ambassador, the club ambassador of the Borussia Dortmund now right, right and you're looking forward to the matches tonight.

Speaker 1:

I think you've got some good matches against West Ham, I hear yeah, yeah, you know.

Speaker 2:

So I retired the head. Man, how are you? As you know, sometimes I miss playing football with my old friend, but so we were the professional footballer. But definitely we want to win this coming match, but I'm afraid my body cannot move as my thought, you know.

Speaker 1:

I just heard from your colleague you know the person who's in charge of bringing you here today you guys are really looking forward to the tournament and you're going for a win. I hear you guys are so serious about this.

Speaker 2:

Yes, of course, of course, but it's our mentality and the mind is all the time the professional. So we want to really really get the title or the winning against. But the problem is body is not same like mind. You know, body is cannot control on myself, so that's the big problem. But anyway, we will try to do our best.

Speaker 1:

I'm just looking at you, I'm sitting across you and I think you are 48 this year exactly and you are looking trim and in absolute brilliant condition.

Speaker 2:

Really, yeah, well done did you see me before last night? You are looking trim and in absolute brilliant condition. Brilliant condition, really, yeah well done.

Speaker 1:

Did you see me before last night? Oh, last night. No, we shall talk about this later, after this. Okay, let's talk about your journey in football. Right At the beginning, when you were growing up and things like that, was it always your goal trying to make it big in football, in professional football. Was that your goal growing up?

Speaker 2:

So when I look back my football journey, the most important thing is not success. The most important thing is enjoying the football. So at the beginning of the football when I was young, from when I was young I just tried to enjoy my football. So I ended up retiring, so that's all.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, and I just want to say this right, I played in the league here in Singapore you know the professional league and we had Koreans playing in the league way back, and then we also had a Korean coach, lee Lim Sing. Is he now the technical director of the Korean Federation?

Speaker 1:

right now and he used to be a coach here in Singapore and you know we talk to Singaporeans here in Singapore. One word comes to mind when we talk about Korean football, when we see a Koreanorean footballer, and that word is that that big d discipline, yeah, discipline, yeah. Is it true? Growing up, how is this instilled in in you guys?

Speaker 2:

yeah, actually, the im saying is that it's such a nice guy so he's very smart, but uh, I think so. If you're asking me, so what is the most important thing for the Korean football? I think they are. Yeah, when we're talking about the football, we can mention the many things tactics, techniques, coaches, the training, training, so the training, doing so so many things but the attitude and the discipline is the, I think, the most important thing in dna in korean football, because so, when you're playing against a strong team, for example, you know the european club and then they are such better than us, for example, by the skill and the tactics, that they are so much better than us. So what we have strengths when you're thinking about on ourselves, so discipline and then attitude is very important for us so I, I get what you say.

Speaker 1:

You know you. You just said that you know, maybe the european players are probably bigger and whatever, but but you guys try to make up for it with your discipline, with your great attitude. Yeah, exactly, and when you're growing up, how how was this instilled to you? Was it parents, was it your coaches, and is it?

Speaker 2:

always in your dna to be very disciplined yeah, so from beginning of the start of the football when I was young, so coach told us the attitude is very important. When he, before the training, say they get together and then saying you need concentration and then attitude is very important. So it's playing well is not good, good is not important, focus on and then keep going and working hard and then so the attitude of the football is most important. The thing is, I heard many things you know that means automatically that mind into my heart and then you want to show to the fans when you're playing. So our attitude is right, place, place. Yes, so that's the reason.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, brilliant you know and and has things changed in korea? Much is it still instilled right from the get-go at the moment, at the present, in schools football or maybe in club football?

Speaker 2:

yeah, so actually it's now of the day a little bit different, different. For example, korean rival is Japan From 20 years ago. When you play against Japan, japan has a good technique skill and then passing game is very well. So in Korea, attitude and the mentality is very good, also the physically, and they learn a lot. So when they want to learn from the korea oh so, korea has a great mentality we need to learn, even korea. Also, we are thinking too oh, japanese football and the technique, the passion game is very well. We want to learn, but the japan they keep the dna. That that's that DNA is the skill. And then learn from Korea about the mentality. But now of the day, we're losing our powerful things, the mentality we're losing, and then we're looking for any other skill or some technique. That's a little different when you're comparing between those two. It's Korean against Japan, as Japan is the last three years they won every single game when you're playing right. So that's the big trouble brilliant, you know.

Speaker 1:

I think that's a wonderful insight and you know it's about trying to mix and try to marry both exactly, and it's quite difficult to actually do that, you know, and very, very good insight. Now you know, when we want to talk about career and yourself as well, I think what comes to mind and I am of the same age as you roughly I'm 76 born. You're 77 born. I think you're 76?

Speaker 2:

I'm 76 so you look 35, so you look thank 35.

Speaker 1:

So you look thank you so much I didn't pay you. I didn't, yeah, you know, in 2002, yeah, you know, it was to me. To me, it was a wonderful World Cup, you know. It was played, obviously, at home in Korea and in Japan and it was a wonderful run yeah you didn't play the first game.

Speaker 2:

Yes sir.

Speaker 1:

And then the second game you played throughout until the end and talk us through about your experience in 2002. Because for me, watching it on TV, and it was a superb run by any Asian team, you know, and we were rooting because we're all Asian right.

Speaker 2:

Come on let's go.

Speaker 2:

Let's go, let's go, you know, and what was it like for you? So actually, I missed the first and second match, okay, because of my injury right, just just two days before the opening games I got injured in my left leg, okay, so I couldn't play. Anyway, I come back to the pitch when he played against Portugal, and then we beat Portugal and then going to the round of the 16. That's an amazing memory for me and then for our country. You know, before the 2002 World Cup, we never have been to the round of the 16 in the full our football history.

Speaker 2:

But before the World Cup, we have two, two purpose. So one is that we need to go to the round of the 16 in the world cup stage, okay. And then, second thing is we need to get the better result than japan. Okay, because you know back all the time, our rival country, right, right, right. So finally, we achieved two things. Yeah, so more than Japan, yes, but when I look back to the 2002 World Cup, still I cannot believe it because it's Korean football. Okay, it's a Korean football is very well in Asia, but we never show something to the out of the Asia. But how do? We went to the semi-final. So I cannot believe it, but but it's true. Anyways, it was a great memories for me and then for our country's football fans you know, let me try to remind you as well.

Speaker 1:

Right, you beat Portugal by one goal to nil one goal to nil yeah you knocked Italy out. You're not Spain now these are. You know, in a normal situation it will never happen. And it was again like for me watching at home. It was such a surreal feeling watching it. You know, and we talk about Portugal. You know they are big players there was a golden age.

Speaker 1:

Luis Figo, conceição Pauleta so much good players was there and they had, I think, two players sent off in that game. If you can remember and you just spoke about Conceição, right, yeah, and the goal that you remember, who scored right?

Speaker 2:

Yeah, I know that you crossed it. Yeah, yes, and then Jisung Park.

Speaker 1:

Jisung Park controlled it and he went past Conceição. Yeah, if you can remember right, concecio just jumped up and he beat him. It was a superb goal, and it was. It just brings up memory. And obviously you beat Italy and Italy also.

Speaker 1:

Those were legendary players, also the, the Col d'Unerzi, yes ieri Totti Del Piero played in that game Zambrotta and then Pieri and Spain, obviously right, and you spoke about that objective of reaching the last 16. And along the way, did you think, and did the team think, that, okay, I think we are doing so well, maybe we can go all the way, maybe even to the finals, maybe Did you think that yeah, I want to tell you the very funny things.

Speaker 2:

That when you play against Portugal, there are two guys at the center. One makes the Jisung things, yeah, that when you play against the Portugal, there are two guys the center yes, the one make the cheese on park, one make it me yes, yes, you know that. Yeah, yeah, correct, anyway, anyway, actually, yeah. So why, when I look back to the 2002 world cup, why we went to the semi-final and then why we beat the Portugal and then italia and then Spain, but but when we come directly, both those teams, actually they are better than us. You know the quality and the tactics, everything is better than us. But why we beat them?

Speaker 2:

So we training, we was training so a lot, even 200 days, get together and the training, and then you know, we went to the two times, with two months training camp in Europe and another two months training camp in America and Australia too. So we never have been go to the home. We never sleep with my family, we sleep all the times with our teammates in the national team. So so definitely, turning point is we have two matches just before the world cup against France, and then England in Korea, maybe one or ten days ago, just before the world cup. So do you know that France is the defending champion?

Speaker 1:

of the.

Speaker 2:

World Cup before. But we play when we play, that we got a result. We yeah, we lost to the 3-2, but we played very well, right, so nice right. And then when we play against England, we draw the 2-2. Also we played very well. After the friendly games we think on ourselves oh, we can play any other strong team in the main stage of the World Cup. So we got the strong confidence from two games. So I think that, oh, we realized, oh, we are ready to play in the World Cup and then we can make some surprise.

Speaker 1:

So brilliant? What was goose-hitting like?

Speaker 2:

Yeah, goose-hitting. You know that's a goose-hitting case. I played football with around 200 coaches, but he is top.

Speaker 1:

Yeah.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, because you know he make the when he thinking about Gus Hiddink. He make the result when he go to any club, for example, real Madrid, chelsea, russia, south Korea. So when he go, so he can, when he have some managing, he make the something. So why? And then so so many football player and some fans and some club and then when they talking players and fans and clubs and when they're talking about the Gossie Hiddink, only good things. So that's the reason why he is the best coach.

Speaker 1:

Was it tactics or was it man management?

Speaker 2:

So, man, management is more important than tactics. Yeah, gossie Hiddink has a good training program and then good tactics, but it's not main reason. Most important thing is the manage the people, the one against one, and then he make the good relationship between every single player, and then he can.

Speaker 2:

Some players cannot understand why we have to do like this, but he all the time explain why you need to this one and then you have to this one and why you need to this one, and then you have to this one, and then you change it to this one, and then he can point it every single things, and then he can make the surprise beautiful just before we go on, I want to ask you about your position.

Speaker 1:

You are right footed, yeah, but obviously you can. Obviously you can play with your left, but you are right-footed, but you predominantly played on the left-hand side of defense.

Speaker 2:

Yes.

Speaker 1:

Was it by choice or was it you had no choice, Like the coach says? Okay, I think.

Speaker 2:

You know, I don't know when I From, when I played on the left side, you know, but actually I'm on the right foot, yeah, but I can use the left foot, yeah, actually the both foot Right when I play the football in the pitch, especially the dribbling, so easy to out inside, and then, yeah, and then in the left side, yeah, so the first one is the dribbling and then beat to the defender and then move to the left side and then sometimes I can very easy to turn the right side and then automatically cross. Yeah, it's an advantage.

Speaker 1:

It's an advantage, isn't it? And you know, right now, in modern day football, we have a lot of this.

Speaker 2:

Exactly, exactly.

Speaker 1:

And I think you started the trend, one of the first few players who started this trend. No, really, because maybe in the players who are playing on right wing, left winger, they can switch a lot. But right back, left back it's so I think you should be proud that you're one of the you know the players who started this. Absolutely brilliant but?

Speaker 2:

but you know, it's very something strange. Like to put a play on the left side. It's something strange. Do you know more strange things? Yes, when it was 2002 World Cup. My position is left back. Do you know my bank number? It's number 10.

Speaker 1:

It's crazy. Oh yes, why? How come?

Speaker 2:

Why? Okay, I will explain. Number 10 is a big number. It's a top star Got the number. So I've never thought about to get a number 10. Actually I want my favorite number is number 12. Okay, so close to the World Cup I heard so many players want to get the number 10 position. Who get the? Also in Korea all media is saying about who got the number 10. Like this article, something like that. So very close to the World Cup, and then Gossi Hiddink told me you got a number 10. So I said, oh no, I'm the left back, I don't want to get the number 10. You should get the number 10. I think when I look back to the 2000 World Cup, it was one of the tactics Maybe, maybe you know, you know the Italian, portugal, other big country players don't know us, yes, but I get the number 10. Oh, so it must be. I thought they think that, oh, he's a very important player, so maybe attacking or taking midfield or something like that, but he moving to the left side, what's that?

Speaker 1:

It's a trick, you know it's a superb trick, exactly.

Speaker 2:

Nice, nice.

Speaker 1:

Now let's talk a little bit about PSV, spurs and Dortmund a little bit. You know, I think Goose Heading was the one that influenced to come go to PSV. Psv, what was that like?

Speaker 2:

because you, after some time there, you were like probably the best left back in the LADVC yeah so after two times the World Cup, godi, he think, pick me and Jisung Park and bring to the PSV Eindhoven. Yes, so when I went to the PSV Eindhoven, it was, it was great. So I feel like I learned football again, because the football level and then you know, passing, game speed or the playing style, is all very special.

Speaker 1:

Okay.

Speaker 2:

So at that moment we got maybe 50 games a special Okay. So at that moment we got maybe 50 games a year Okay. So we won 42 games, wow, or six draws, and only two or three games lost. But that means we won every single game. They feel like it. Yes, we won every single game. They feel like it. Yes, so that time was the most happiness time for my football life. What was so special about Dutch football? Dutch football is the most important thing. They focus on keep the ball okay when they get the ball, and never losing the ball.

Speaker 2:

most important thing is keep the ball first yeah and then how to keep the ball first, and then how to make the space and then how to make the goal chances. They're thinking about that, but never.

Speaker 1:

They don't want to lose any ball you went up against some super players in Holland at that time who were the top top players in Holland At that time, who were the top players in Holland In our team or In the league, in the league.

Speaker 2:

So at that moment it's Arjen Robben, bamboomer and then Matthias Kesman. Alex Kesman went to Chelsea as well. Yeah, exactly Alex also went to Chelsea. Arjen Robben, dennis Lommedal, parfan and then Kokhwi Bogel, andre Oyer, jisung Park, marcus Beazley from USA so many good players. And then Ajax has the Van der Mey, van der Barret, ibrahimovic, maxwell, so also Edwards Merman. Netherlands football El Davids is a very high level tennis.

Speaker 1:

You know, especially when you are playing in your position as a left back, I think you go up against. So, so, tough players, man, and you know, and for you to be the best left back in the league, and you know it's, you must be on a high yeah you know what was the feeling like you know, you're from Korea, just played in the World Cup came back played playing in the league and you people say that you are the best.

Speaker 2:

Left back what was the feeling like because because, uh, so before the the, actually my own position is the attacker. Okay, so until 20 years, 20 years old, at 20 years old, and then when, when I going to the university of the football club, so in the middle of the university, the coach changed me my position to the left back. So when I went to the PSV Eindhoven, I already have ability both side, and then defensively and then offensively. So even my is my favorite thing is the dribble, and then I have a good speed and the stamina too, right, so you have everything, yeah not everything, but you know it's.

Speaker 2:

the size is not not tall, but I'm very quick, so I have a great stamina, and then I have a defense ability and then offense ability too. So that's the reason why I'm successful in Europe Brilliant, brilliant.

Speaker 1:

Let's talk a little bit about Spurs. Yeah, what was your time like there in Spurs?

Speaker 2:

Yeah, spurs also is very good. It memorizes everything. So when I went to London, I feel like, oh, this is heaven of football. They can communicate by football everything in the full city in London, so amazing. Anyway. So we got. I was playing there three years and I and I got the League Cup title, the Carling Cup yeah, so it was also great memories.

Speaker 2:

And then we play against so many good players. It was Michael Carey Barabatov, jermaine Defoe, jermaine Jenas, aaron Lennon, so Robinson Bradley, king Dawson, you know. Ecoto Simbongda, gareth Bale right. So Edgar Davies, robbie Keane, darren Band, you know.

Speaker 1:

All the Spurs fans. You know, watching this and listening to this will be, you know, just just thinking back and you know the memories.

Speaker 2:

Also that was we have a great squad, but at that moment also in other club club in Premier League, especially Chelsea, liverpool, manchester United, even Arsenal. They also is very nice. So we were the place of the fifth all the time. So a little little, little little shame, little need more something, but it's very shame, but anyway we were good at that moment.

Speaker 1:

What was it playing? I'm an Arsenal fan. What was it like playing against Arsenal because it's a huge derby it's a London derby. What was it like?

Speaker 2:

okay, I can remember Highbury Stadium and then Emirates Stadium also. Both is very good place of the stadium, pitch is good. But I can remember, if you asking me about the Arsenal, we beat them the Kalingkham semi-final second leg 5-1. Right, that's it. I think it's the end of the episode, my friend after we beat the Arsenal 5-1 and then 2 or 3 days later, when I walk in the street, someone get the t-shirt in our area 5-1, 5-1 and they make the cup 5-1.

Speaker 2:

So many good, so many good 5-1 and then finally we become the champion beat the Chelsea in the final and we become a champion. It was one of the great memories for me, for the sports what was the difference between the English League and the LADVC?

Speaker 1:

the?

Speaker 2:

LADVC is very. Most important thing is keep the Red. Dvg is very. Most important thing is keep double first and then make the created the space, okay, and then created the shoot chance, okay. But England football is very aggressive and then speedy and then directly. Yeah, they looking for the which way is most shorter to the goal. You know, yeah, run long pass, return shoot, that's it.

Speaker 1:

Do you think, as an Asian player you played in the Dutch league was it a good prep preparation for you to go into the English league? Because I think it's tough, isn't it?

Speaker 2:

you spoke about the intensity it's very fast and then it's a very good transition every single team in the Premier League. But if I, some player, want to success or want to go to the England Premier League, but actually I'm not recommended a direct from the Asia to the England Premier League. We need to through the Netherlands or Belgium or the German. German also is very strong, but also German is a it's great league to learn many things from from football, and then go to the Premier League. I recommend that brilliant.

Speaker 1:

Dortmund. Obviously you're playing in the Masters tournament this season as well, or this year as well. What was Dortmund? Like you played? Did you play at the Klopp?

Speaker 2:

yeah, we'll talk about Klopp a little bit later what was your experience, like in Dortmund yeah, as you know, dortmund has a fantastic fans every single home game, yeah, people crowded more than 80,000 in the stadium. Also, I'd never seen before the mood in the stadium crazy. So that is the fantastic for the player, because playing football with the amazing fans, so the fans is the. You know the every single club is good for the fans. Yeah, but Borussia Dortmund is very special about fans. So yeah that club is only for the football brilliant, yeah, brilliant, I like it.

Speaker 1:

yeah, and then obviously you are playing in the Masters tournament this year and you just told me just now that you're looking forward to win it. Yeah, I just want to get your thoughts on a few things right. And you obviously were one of the first Asian players, I wouldn't say the first.

Speaker 1:

The first few Asian players who, really, you know, made their name in European football with Jisung Park as well, right, is it? What does it take for an Asian player like yourself to actually make it big? You spoke a little bit about discipline, the attitude part, but in terms of football-wise, what does it take? Because it's huge, isn't it? It's very difficult.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, exactly. I think that the most important thing is the football has the golden age. You know, golden age means between 8 to 14. Between 8 to 14, that time we need to take great football for the football, football skill for the football Okay, you know, okay. Okay, you know, okay. So over the age 14, if we fought something but it cannot achieve as much as you want, okay, you know. So between the golden age 8 to 14, we should be training hard and then trying to get the skill, everything you know kick and pass, and then trapping, and then free kick and then something like that. So the technical part, yeah, technical part, yeah, skill part, yes, it's very important. So if who asian player want to play in the europe, so we need to using the that time between age 8 to the 14 so it's very important.

Speaker 1:

Would you say that you know? People look up to you and Jisung Park as well, you know, and say these guys have made it yeah, you know and they look up to you and in a way, you've paved the way for these guys to come up and you know there's someone to look at yeah, yeah kind of like they're heroes yeah, yeah also yeah.

Speaker 2:

So when they're heroes, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah also yeah. So when I was young, I'm just my role model is Maradona Okay, because of the dribbling, you know, I'm just following to his play style and his gesture, even his crying closing you know, and the number as well number 10.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, number 10.

Speaker 2:

Number 10 is not my favorite. Anyway, you know me and Park Jisung went to the England Premier League. We showed very good thing to the other club and then at that moment, so many Korean players moved to Europe. Now of the day, son Heung-min has a great performance in Europe. So the European club is looking for the ASEAN players to find and bring to Europe. That's the reason. So some of the ASEAN players' performance is very important in Europe.

Speaker 1:

What's the potential like, do you think, for Asian players?

Speaker 2:

The Koreans, the Japanese? What is the potential like at the moment? At the present moment, the way you see, even though you know, even before the Son Heung Min get the title of the top scorer in the Premier League, never not many people thinking about who Asian player get the title of the top scorer in the Premier League. So he achieved many things. So that's the reason we can do that. Some other ASEAN player can do that.

Speaker 1:

Was Ji-Sung Park, your best friend in football? Yeah, he is, still is.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, still is.

Speaker 1:

What is he doing at the moment?

Speaker 2:

So he is the ambassador of the Manchester United and he is living in London now. Alright lovely With two kids.

Speaker 1:

Yeah.

Speaker 2:

Yeah.

Speaker 1:

Would you rate these players for me at the moment? Kim Min Jae at Bayern yeah, how is he?

Speaker 2:

Yeah, kim Min Jae is one of the best centre-back in the world at this moment. I believe that. And then he got a. It's a very quick and they could powerful the powerful, the air duel and then even very smart. So he is the one of the. You know the before before the Kim Min-jae, we never thought about the Korean center back can success in the out of the country? It's not possible. So we're thinking about that. But Kim Min Jae broke our mind. Yeah, you know excellent. Yeah, so he is the. I believe he is the one of the best center back in the world at this moment.

Speaker 2:

Lee Kangin in PSG yeah another super player yeah, yeah, I think feel like the supersonic. You know, sup, yeah, yeah, yeah, I feel like the supersonic, supersonic. Yeah, I like this style, the type of the display, type of the play, because Lee Kang-in is using the great left foot and then fantastic dribble skill. Also, he makes every single game the assist and the score Right. He is the chance maker in our national team and even in the PSG. So we're waiting for another Lee Ga-yoon now.

Speaker 1:

Yeah.

Speaker 2:

Kwang Hee Chan. So Kwang Hee Chan is actually he is. You know his playing style is very aggressive and then directly to the goal, right and with a great mentality.

Speaker 1:

Yeah.

Speaker 2:

So Hwang Hee-chan also. Actually Hwang Hee-chan is most type of the Korean style footballer. Okay, you know, typical, yeah, typical Korean football style footballer. So so if korean want to more develop in our future, so we needed to find out another hwang hee chan, so, ah going back to the roots, yeah exactly, exactly.

Speaker 1:

That is very important in your opinion, yeah, is Son Heung-min the best Korean player of all time? It's your opinion. It's a difficult one.

Speaker 2:

As you know, when I was a player, ji Sung Park is the best ASEAN footballer. But if you're asking me now who is the best ASEAN footballer, of course I can answer the son of me. But totally, when you look back the last 100 years, okay, who is the the best player in asia? I said son, yeah, yeah, son, who got a title of the top scorer in the premier league?

Speaker 2:

you're right, so we don't need to explain anymore. It's in the records, isn't it? Yeah, the record told us who is the best player in Asia the last 100 years.

Speaker 1:

Brilliant Before we go. My friend Lee, I've got a couple of questions here. Fast answers, quick ones, just you know, I think you will do very well here. Choose between the three hitting yo or club hitting, I know why.

Speaker 2:

But talk us a little bit about club club also is very good manager yeah yeah, he is the how to control the players and he make the great training section program. Also, he can change his own self every single game about tactics. Even though he's such a nice guy, he is a Christian. That's the reason why one of the reasons why I like him he's a very big Christian. They are good. One of the reasons why I like him, he's a very big Christian. So both they are good. But for me, if you're asking me right, kose Hidinko is a guest coach in your biggest achievement in football biggest achievement from football is the football make me humble, you know so.

Speaker 2:

I played more than 30 years, but I try to do my best for better football, but it's not easy. So if you ask me, football is teaching me, football teaches me humble.

Speaker 1:

I love that answer. I'm having goosebumps. Biggest disappointment.

Speaker 2:

Disappointment Football. Actually, it's very difficult to find out the disappointment I feel like thanks for about football from football all the time. You're grateful, yeah football has never disappointed me, okay.

Speaker 1:

I think I know what your answer is going to be, but I'll ask you anyway Best stadium you played in? The best?

Speaker 2:

Ah, best player, Stadium, ah, best player. Actually, I don't want to, I don't want to accept, I don't want to accept. But Emirates Stadium is very nice Really. Yeah, emirates, okay, why? It's a facility and especially, you know, they make good control of the pitch. Okay, glass is fantastic all the time, even Highbury.

Speaker 1:

Right, I played Highbury and then Emirates Stadium. So nice it's even voted the best feel every single season, I think the Highbury.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, highbury, fantastic, maybe feel like the carpet. You know the carpet.

Speaker 1:

Beautiful carpet. I love the answer. After that 5-1 thingy, I think this is the best answer you've given so far.

Speaker 2:

Come on, I don't want to mention about Arsenal. Come on, man. Come on, I don't want to mention about the Arsenal.

Speaker 1:

Come on, man, the toughest opponent you have played against as a left back which is the toughest opponent? You played against.

Speaker 2:

There's been many yeah, so many good I met so many good players.

Speaker 2:

Name a few yeah, for example, I met Messi and the Ronaldo, and then you know the Zidane or Thierry Hany or Dropa Shevchenk Etus or Thierry Agni or Dropa Shevchenk Etu, so many things. But actually when I answer all the time this question, it's not important opponent. Most important thing is my condition. If I have my good condition, actually I'm not feel difficult. But I'm not ready. On myself is very difficult, even high school football player, you know. So it's the most important thing is the on myself.

Speaker 1:

Brilliant, and again the names that you rattle off. It's a wonderful career that you've had and you know, I think it's been brilliant. Your biggest influence in your career. In your career, who's the biggest influence?

Speaker 2:

So in Korea, do you know that Cha Beom-geun, Levo Kuzan and Frank Froth. He was. I respect him because he has a great attitude and then personality, so it's very nice. And then he tried to do best to for the our Korean football. So, as many Korean players respected him brilliant he's a legend as well. Yeah, he's very legend.

Speaker 1:

Okay, the last question best player you ever played with?

Speaker 2:

in Korean Korean in. Korea, or even in your platform yes, I can answer the Jisung Park, because we're very close and then even we needed to have a launch next week, so I have to say like that brilliant, brilliant.

Speaker 1:

I have to say like that you have to, you got no choice. Lee, thanks for being here on this episode of the podcast, but before we go, any words of advice to players who want to come up, and especially Asian players. You know, and the youngsters even in Singapore trying to make it big. You know, even in the national team in Singapore. What do you say to them, especially the youngsters?

Speaker 2:

yeah, so I think I don't. I I wanted to tell them so there is no shortcut. If we want to be something, for example, if we want to play in the Europe, you need to work hard and that effort to then other players yeah so you need to think on yourself.

Speaker 2:

Who can better than me about effort? Effort is very important. So if we want to something, if we want to be something, you have enough trying to do your best all the time. So that is very important. You know the talent. Someone said what's the most important between talent and effort. I can answer effort. Talent is we cannot control, but effort we can control. That's the reason why we need to try to do our best for effort.

Speaker 1:

You know, I think that was a wonderful ending, because the motto of this podcast is called the Silver Fox Hustle Podcast, by the way, and it's about the hustle. It's about working hard and talent is there, but without the hustle, without the hard work, it will never happen. So that was a great way to end the episode and, lee, thank you for being on the podcast again I really appreciate this and thanks to Suraj as well, who's made this happen from Dortmund. So thank you so much. You've been listening to the Silver Fox Hustle podcast, watching it as well on YouTube, and with me was a legend in Korean football, lee Yong-pyo. And please click on the follow button, the subscribe button. We are out everywhere, on Spotify, apple Podcast and YouTube. The Works till the next time. We see you again, cheers, bye.