"I don't even deserve to hear 'good job'..." From the tragedy of relegation to promotion, the 'heartfelt sincerity' of Lee Sang-min, a 'blue-blooded youth product' who walked the path alongside Suwon [Suwon On-Site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

A youth academy graduate who has weathered every storm, Lee Sang-min (22), a "blue-blooded" defender who has now spent 10 years with Suwon Samsung Bluewings, shared his overwhelming feelings about overcoming the tears of relegation and co-creating promotion to K League 1.

Lee started the home match against Yongin FC in Round 32 of the Hana Bank K League 2 2026 season at Suwon World Cup Stadium on the 8th, but was substituted for Lee Jun-jae in the 30th minute of the first half due to thigh pain. The team secured a decisive 2-0 victory with consecutive goals from Dubitska and Lebon, clinching direct promotion.

Met in the mixed zone after the match, Lee expressed his regret over his unexpected injury substitution while sharing his heartfelt reflections on Suwon's promotion, reclaiming their rightful place for the first time in three years after the pain of relegation.

"My heart is far worse than my body," Lee began. "I am deeply sorry to my teammates, the coaching staff who must have been flustered, and Coach Lee Jun-jae, who came on in a hurry. I have no words other than 'I'm sorry.'"

Regarding the injury site, he explained, "It is my right hamstring. I had pain in the front muscle of my left leg during the match against Daegu, but I pushed through and it seems I overdid it." He added, "(Hong) Jeong-ho is effectively out for the season given his condition, yet he made the roster and played until the end. Since all players are enduring pain to play, I naturally felt I had to do the same."

For Lee Sang-min, who has been with Suwon since his youth academy days and is a graduate of Maetan High School, this promotion carried unique emotions. That is because Lee was a member who fully experienced the pain of relegation during the 2023 season. After conceding a penalty kick in their first matchup against Ulsan that season, contributing to a 2-3 defeat, he wiped away hot tears on the field. Even as the team plummeted to last place and was relegated, he had to watch from the sidelines for three months at the end of the season due to injury.

"The atmosphere and mood of that moment of relegation three years ago still feel like a dream; it is hard to believe," Lee revealed. "At that time, honestly, winning a single match felt like a dream—it was so difficult. I became accustomed to defeat and felt incredibly small. When I think about the FA Cup away game against Incheon played in the rain on the day before my birthday, where we lost and even heard chants mixed with profanity, I cannot express how I feel in words."

He continued, "This year has been the exact opposite—a dreamlike season. I met Manager Lee Jung-hyo, the coaching staff, and reliable veterans like Jeong-ho and (Ko) Seung-beom, along with the best teammates." He added, "Over the past three years, our fans have suffered the greatest humiliation and their pride must have been deeply hurt. Thanks to my teammates, I hope that today at least brings some healing to those wounds. As someone who was part of the team during relegation, I believe I do not even deserve to hear a single 'good job.' I am grateful to my teammates and sorry to our fans."

Lee also shared his candid thoughts on how to bear the weight of Suwon. "When you come to a team like Suwon, you must bear the weight of this emblem. Becoming a player worthy of the fans' passionate support is a natural duty," he said firmly. "It is a matter of when you can shake off the burden and turn your sense of apology into gratitude. We must make the fans feel only gratitude, not regret, through our good performance."

Regarding his return to the K League 1 stage next season, Lee stated, "It is simply returning to where I should rightfully be." He resolved, "I will continue the performance and results we have proven in K League 2 this season. I am confident that Suwon will fully recover its former status and become even stronger. I will do my best so that I can convey only gratitude to our fans from now on."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original