On the evening of October 3rd, the men's football final of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games was held at Toyota Stadium in Japan. The South Korean national team defeated Japan 1-0 thanks to a goal by Eom Ji-sung in the 60th minute of the second half, securing Asia's fourth consecutive men's football gold medal. South Korea has won consecutively since the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, followed by victories at 2018 Jakarta-Palembang, 2022 Hangzhou, and 2026 Aichi-Nagoya, achieving four consecutive championships in men's football.

Due to military service obligations, Lee Young-jun joined the squad late, but quickly regained form, scoring 3 goals in the tournament, including goals in consecutive matches, becoming one of the key contributors to South Korea's gold medal.

In a post-match interview, Lee Young-jun shared his emotions after winning the championship: "I felt relieved. Since my teammates' military service obligations had been resolved, honestly, I was under pressure before. But being able to score goals and help create a good atmosphere for the team, I felt I did what I needed to do."

However, Lee Young-jun admitted that after actually receiving the gold medal, he felt an unexpected sense of emptiness.

"Actually, even though we won the gold medal, there was a moment of sudden confusion. Because the goal was achieved, now there's a feeling of emptiness after the relief. Lee Seung-won and I looked at each other, as if both of us were saying, 'Finally, it's over.'"

In fact, Lee Young-jun faced considerable external pressure during this tournament.

He said: "I knew many people outside were saying, 'Because his military service obligation has been resolved, why select him?' So at that moment, I thought I couldn't let those comments continue. I had to do better and repay the coach's trust in me."

For Lee Young-jun, this Asian Games held another meaning. Having played in the Swiss Super League for a long time, he wasn't widely known among Korean fans due to match scheduling and broadcasting limitations.

"I play in the Swiss Super League, so it's not easy for domestic fans to watch my matches. Therefore, many people might not know I'm a player. This Asian Games allowed me to play alongside some already famous players, which helped more people get to know me. I hope everyone can understand me better, and if there's an opportunity, I also hope to join the South Korean national team."

"Letter from a Soldier" Played in the Locker Room

After the South Korean team won the gold medal, Lee Young-jun played a special song in the locker room — "Letter from a Soldier."

When asked why he chose this song, he smiled and said: "I just wanted to ask them, 'Do you know how this feels?'"

Lee Young-jun recalled his military service experience: "When I got on the military bus in South Korea, this song was playing, and I cried immediately. Living with people in the training camp, and then everyone going their separate ways, that feeling was really strange."

Here, he smiled again and added: "So I originally wanted Bae Jun-ho and Kim Ji-soo to experience this feeling too."

Previously, after the South Korean team won the ASIAD gold medal, some players who had not completed their military service would receive military service-related benefits. For Lee Young-jun, who had already served in the military, he clearly understands the significance of this gold medal more deeply than the younger players on the team.

After the match against China, Lee Young-jun's celebration also drew attention. When asked if he celebrated like that because Chinese fans were particularly loud, he replied: "Chinese fans were very loud at that moment."

Subsequently, this statement also attracted attention from some Chinese media outlets. Lee Young-jun revealed that he received many private messages, but he didn't pay too much attention to them: "Actually, I didn't read many. But I'll also enjoy these things."

Doesn't Want to Monopolize the "Young-jun Bus"

Regarding outsiders jokingly calling it the "Young-jun Bus," Lee Young-jun repeatedly declined the notion.

"I disagree. What is the 'Young-jun Bus'? I'm not that great." (This term borrows from the Korean internet slang "○○버스" – similar to "carrying the team/leading the team to victory." For example, if a player performs exceptionally well, fans might say, "I'm riding his bus," leading to the term "XX Bus.")

However, he then added with a smile: "But I'll take credit with these kids behind their backs."

Previously, Yang Hyun-jun joked that if Lee Young-jun came to Scotland, he would treat everyone to a meal. In response, Lee Young-jun joked: "He said he'd treat us if I came to Scotland. I'll quietly send him my bank account number."

Finally, as a player who has served in the military, Lee Young-jun also sent a message to teammates who received military service benefits by winning the ASIAD gold medal.

He said: "I know very well what a year and six months that should have been spent in the military is worth, and I also know how much can be achieved in that timeframe."

"So, whether you're my friend, younger brother, or older brother, I hope all of you can make good use of this time and do even better."

【Related Information】

"Letter from a Soldier" is a classic Korean folk song, with music and lyrics composed by Kim Hyun-sung. The most widely known version is the one recorded by legendary Korean folk singer Kim Kwang-seok in 1993. In Korean culture, "soldier" (private) refers to a newly enlisted recruit. This song subtly depicts the inner emotions of loneliness, determination, and hesitation of young people as they bid farewell to their parents, board a bus to training camp, and face themselves with short hair. It is considered a classic song that makes Korean men cry before enlisting, and is even a song sung at farewell parties in karaoke rooms. The song also appears in several films and television works, most famously in a scene from the film "Joint Security Area," which adds to the film's portrayal of soldiers' conflicted emotions.

Website AF đã ra mắt! Xem tin tức đầy đủ, bình luận, chi tiết trận đấu và thống kê trên máy tính. Truy cập: www.allfootballapp.com