Lee Dong-Gook
Encyclopedia
Lee Dong-Gook (born 29 April 1979) is a South Korean
football striker, who plays for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
in K-League
.
, where due to his outstanding performance in his first season, he managed to make his debut for the South Korea
n national team making a total of 71 appearances and scoring 22 goals. He was then sent on loan to Werder Bremen
of Germany's Bundesliga
.
During six months at Werder Bremen in 2001, Lee's playing time was limited partly due to injuries.
Lee left the Steelers in 2002 to perform his military service, joining the military team Gwangju Sangmu Phoenix. He spent two seasons there. His career recovered after he returned to Pohang in 2004.
In April 2006, Lee tore cruciate ligament
s in his knee while playing in a K-League
match for the Pohang Steelers
that forced him out for six months, and was unable to play in the World Cup
.
in January 2007, after he was granted a work permit. He made his Premier League debut for Middlesbrough on February 24, 2007 against Reading
, and scored his first goal on August 29, 2007 in a Carling Cup
match against Northampton Town
, and his second in the FA Cup against Mansfield Town on 26 January 2008. His contract expired at the end of the 2008 Premier League season.
Lee did not return to his former club Pohang Steelers on transfer deadline day, and was released at the end of the season for the season 2008/09. He received offers from clubs in Japan and Germany.
in 2008. However, he was unsuccessful, and was linked another move to several K-League
and J. League
clubs.
in the 2009 transfer window. He scored a brace in his debut for Jeonbuk on 15 March 2009 against Daegu FC. Lee completed his second senior hat-trick
on 2 May 2009 against Jeju United. On July 4, he scored his second hat-trick of the season against Gwangju Sangmu Phoenix. He eventually became the K-League Top Scorer
in 2009 K-League, scoring 20 goals in 27 league matches. He also scored one goal in the second leg of final in K-League Championship
, and Jeonbuk beat Seongnam Ilhwa by 3-1 to win the first league trophy in their history.
. He also took part in the 2000 AFC Asian Cup
and finished top scorer with six goals.
In 2002, Lee was not chosen by Guus Hiddink
to represent South Korea in 2002 World Cup
. Fans called him "Lazy Genius," because they felt that he did not fully use his potential.
This is also because Hiddink emphasized strong stamina, great power, and agile speed, which are the categories that Lee struggles in, except power. He later admitted to spending his days drinking and not watching a single game that took place in Korea.
Lee was coach Dick Advocaat
's first-choice selection at forward for Korea ahead of the 2006 FIFA World Cup
, but a knee injury suffered in a K-League
match forced him to miss the tournament.
On 1 November 2007 Lee was banned from the national team for twelve months after it was revealed that he, along with team captain Lee Woon-Jae
and teammates Kim Sang-Sik
and Woo Sung-Yong, went on a late night drinking spree with several female employees during the Asian Cup, in which Korea received third place.
Unlike the other members who were involved in this incident, because Lee played for Middlesbrough in England, the KFA
could not ban him from his club team matches.
. He came on as a substitute in a game against Uruguay and missed his last big chance to redemption. Lee had a clear chance from 16 yards on the Uruguayan keeper, but his shot lacked the power to cross the line.
of 1997, in December 2005,. On 14 August 2007, he became a father of twin girls.
|1998||rowspan=3|Pohang Steelers
||rowspan=3|K-League
||15||7||||||9||4||||||24||11
|-
|1999||15||7||||||4||1||||||19||8
|-
|2000||7||4||||||1||0||colspan=2|-||8||4
|-
|-
|2000–01||Werder Bremen||Fußball-Bundesliga
||7||0||0||0||colspan=2|-||0||0||7||0
|-
|-
|2001||rowspan=2|Pohang Steelers
||rowspan=7|K-League
||17||3||||||0||0||colspan=2|-||17||3
|-
|2002||21||7||||||0||0||colspan=2|-||21||7
|-
|2003||rowspan=3|Gwangju Sangmu Bulsajo||27||11||0||0||colspan=2|-||colspan=2|-||27||11
|-
|2004||19||1||2||0||4||3||colspan=2|-||25||4
|-
|rowspan=2|2005||0||0||0||0||1||0||colspan=2|-||1||0
|-
|rowspan=2|Pohang Steelers
||17||3||3||0||7||4||colspan=2|-||27||7
|-
|2006||10||7||0||0||0||0||colspan=2|-||10||7
|-
|-
|2006–07||rowspan=2|Middlesbrough
||rowspan=2|Premier League||9||0||2||0||0||0||colspan=2|-||11||0
|-
|2007–08||14||0||2||1||2||1||colspan=2|-||18||2
|-
|-
|2008||Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
||rowspan=4|K-League
||10||2||0||0||3||0||colspan=2|-||13||2
|-
|2009||rowspan=3|Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
||29||21||4||4||3||1||colspan=2|-||36||26
|-
|2010
||28||12||0||0||2||1||5||3||35||16
|-
|2011
||27||16||1||0||0||0||6||9||34||25
242||101||9||4||34||14||11||12||296||131
7||0||0||0||colspan=2|-||0||0||7||0
23||0||4||1||2||1||colspan=2|-||29||2
272||101||13||5||36||15||11||12||332||133
|-
|1998||8||0
|-
|1999||0||0
|-
|2000||8||6
|-
|2001||6||1
|-
|2002||5||0
|-
|2003||1||0
|-
|2004||10||8
|-
|2005||14||4
|-
|2006||8||1
|-
|2007||7||0
|-
|2008||0||0
|-
|2009||4||0
|-
|2010||||
|-
!Total||71||20
|}
Korean people
The Korean people are an ethnic group originating in the Korean peninsula and Manchuria. Koreans are one of the most ethnically and linguistically homogeneous groups in the world.-Names:...
football striker, who plays for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are a professional football club based in Jeonju, Jeonbuk, South Korea. They won their first K-League title in 2009. Prior to this, the club won the AFC Champions League title in 2006, becoming the first club from East Asia to win the tournament since the AFC Champions...
in K-League
K-League
The Korea Professional Football League is South Korea's only fully professional association football league. At the top of the South Korean football league system, it is the country's highest and most prestigious level of football competition currently contested by 16 clubs.-Establishment:The...
.
Early career
Lee started playing football for Pohang SteelersPohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers are a South Korean professional football club based in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do. They were originally called POSCO, after the Pohang Iron and Steel Company that owned it...
, where due to his outstanding performance in his first season, he managed to make his debut for the South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
n national team making a total of 71 appearances and scoring 22 goals. He was then sent on loan to Werder Bremen
SV Werder Bremen
SV Werder Bremen is a German sports club best known for its association football team playing in Bremen, in the northwest German federal state of the same name. The club was founded on 4 February 1899 as Fußballverein Werder by a group of sixteen vocational high school students who had won a prize...
of Germany's Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
.
During six months at Werder Bremen in 2001, Lee's playing time was limited partly due to injuries.
Lee left the Steelers in 2002 to perform his military service, joining the military team Gwangju Sangmu Phoenix. He spent two seasons there. His career recovered after he returned to Pohang in 2004.
In April 2006, Lee tore cruciate ligament
Cruciate ligament
Cruciate ligaments are pairs of ligaments arranged like a letter X. They occur in several joints of the body, such as the knee...
s in his knee while playing in a K-League
K-League
The Korea Professional Football League is South Korea's only fully professional association football league. At the top of the South Korean football league system, it is the country's highest and most prestigious level of football competition currently contested by 16 clubs.-Establishment:The...
match for the Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers are a South Korean professional football club based in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do. They were originally called POSCO, after the Pohang Iron and Steel Company that owned it...
that forced him out for six months, and was unable to play in the World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
.
Middlesbrough
Lee signed with MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
in January 2007, after he was granted a work permit. He made his Premier League debut for Middlesbrough on February 24, 2007 against Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
, and scored his first goal on August 29, 2007 in a Carling Cup
League Cup
In association football, a League Cup or Secondary Cup generally signifies a cup competition for which entry is restricted only to teams in a particular league. The first national association football tournament to be called "League Cup" was held in Scotland in 1946/47 and was entitled the Scottish...
match against Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
, and his second in the FA Cup against Mansfield Town on 26 January 2008. His contract expired at the end of the 2008 Premier League season.
Lee did not return to his former club Pohang Steelers on transfer deadline day, and was released at the end of the season for the season 2008/09. He received offers from clubs in Japan and Germany.
Seongnam Ilhwa
Lee signed a contract with Seongnam Ilhwa ChunmaSeongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma is a South Korean professional football club, based in Seongnam, South Korea, that plays in the K-League...
in 2008. However, he was unsuccessful, and was linked another move to several K-League
K-League
The Korea Professional Football League is South Korea's only fully professional association football league. At the top of the South Korean football league system, it is the country's highest and most prestigious level of football competition currently contested by 16 clubs.-Establishment:The...
and J. League
J. League
The or is the top division of and is the top professional association football league in Japan. It is one of the most successful leagues in Asian club football and the only league given top class 'A' ranking by the AFC. Currently, J. League Division 1 is the first level of the Japanese...
clubs.
Jeonbuk Hyundai
Lee was transferred to Jeonbuk Hyundai MotorsJeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are a professional football club based in Jeonju, Jeonbuk, South Korea. They won their first K-League title in 2009. Prior to this, the club won the AFC Champions League title in 2006, becoming the first club from East Asia to win the tournament since the AFC Champions...
in the 2009 transfer window. He scored a brace in his debut for Jeonbuk on 15 March 2009 against Daegu FC. Lee completed his second senior hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
on 2 May 2009 against Jeju United. On July 4, he scored his second hat-trick of the season against Gwangju Sangmu Phoenix. He eventually became the K-League Top Scorer
K-League Top Scorer
The K-League Top Scorer Award has been awarded since the 1983 season to K-League regular season and K-League Cup leading scorer.-K-League Regular Season Winners:- K-League Cup Winners :- R-League Winners:-References:* * - See also:...
in 2009 K-League, scoring 20 goals in 27 league matches. He also scored one goal in the second leg of final in K-League Championship
K-League Championship
K-League have adotpted both Single season format and play offs format. K-League Championship is official name of K-League playoffs since 2009.-Split Season + Final:-Single Season + Top 4 Playoffs + Final:-Split Season + Top 4 Playoffs + Final:...
, and Jeonbuk beat Seongnam Ilhwa by 3-1 to win the first league trophy in their history.
International career
Lee was a member of the South Korea national football team at the 1998 FIFA World Cup1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
. He also took part in the 2000 AFC Asian Cup
2000 AFC Asian Cup
The Asian Football Confederation's 2000 AFC Asian Cup finals were held in Lebanon between October 12 and October 29. Japan defeated defending champion Saudi Arabia in the final match in Beirut.-Qualification:...
and finished top scorer with six goals.
In 2002, Lee was not chosen by Guus Hiddink
Guus Hiddink
Guus Hiddink is a Dutch football manager and former player. He was the most recently manager of the Turkish national football team. He is considered to be one of the best managers of his generation and was the best-paid coach in international football in 2009...
to represent South Korea in 2002 World Cup
2002 World Cup
2002 World Cup may refer to:*Alpine skiing – 2002 Alpine Skiing World Cup*Athletics – 2002 IAAF World Cup*Field Hockey:** 2002 Men's World Hockey Cup** 2002 Women's World Hockey Cup...
. Fans called him "Lazy Genius," because they felt that he did not fully use his potential.
This is also because Hiddink emphasized strong stamina, great power, and agile speed, which are the categories that Lee struggles in, except power. He later admitted to spending his days drinking and not watching a single game that took place in Korea.
Lee was coach Dick Advocaat
Dick Advocaat
Dirk Nicolaas "Dick" Advocaat is a Dutch football manager and former player currently the manager of the Russia national football team.He has been moderately successful as a football player and as a coach, which included two stints with the Dutch national football team...
's first-choice selection at forward for Korea ahead of the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
, but a knee injury suffered in a K-League
K-League
The Korea Professional Football League is South Korea's only fully professional association football league. At the top of the South Korean football league system, it is the country's highest and most prestigious level of football competition currently contested by 16 clubs.-Establishment:The...
match forced him to miss the tournament.
On 1 November 2007 Lee was banned from the national team for twelve months after it was revealed that he, along with team captain Lee Woon-Jae
Lee Woon-Jae
Lee Woon-Jae is a South Korean football goalkeeper, who plays for Chunnam Dragons in the South Korean K-League. He was part of Korea's 1994, 2002, 2006 and 2010 World Cup campaigns...
and teammates Kim Sang-Sik
Kim Sang-Sik
Kim Sang-Sik is a South Korean football player, who currently plays for the K-League side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.he played for the South Korea national team as a centre back.- Club career statistics :...
and Woo Sung-Yong, went on a late night drinking spree with several female employees during the Asian Cup, in which Korea received third place.
Unlike the other members who were involved in this incident, because Lee played for Middlesbrough in England, the KFA
Korea Football Association
The Korea Football Association is the governing body of football in Korea. The first governing body of Korean football was the Joseon Football Association , founded on 19 September 1933....
could not ban him from his club team matches.
2010 World Cup
Lee was listed onto the South Korea national football team line up for the 2010 FIFA World Cup2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
. He came on as a substitute in a game against Uruguay and missed his last big chance to redemption. Lee had a clear chance from 16 yards on the Uruguayan keeper, but his shot lacked the power to cross the line.
Personal life
Lee married Lee Soo-Jin, a former Miss KoreaMiss Korea
Miss Korea is an annual national beauty pageant responsible for selecting Korea's representative to the Miss Universe pageant.The current titleholder is Lee Seong-hye. She won the title on August 3, 2011 in Seoul.-History:...
of 1997, in December 2005,. On 14 August 2007, he became a father of twin girls.
Individual
- AFC U-19 Championship Top Scorer: 1998
- K-League Rookie of the Year: 1998
- AFC Asian Cup Top Scorer: 2000
- K-League All-Stars SoccerK-League All-Stars SoccerThe K-League All-Stars Game is an annual exhibition match organised by the Korea Professional Football League . Inaugural match was started at 1991.-1991:* Blue: Yukong Kokkiri, Lucky-Goldstar Hwangso, Daewoo Royals...
MVP: 2003 - K-League Top ScorerK-League Top ScorerThe K-League Top Scorer Award has been awarded since the 1983 season to K-League regular season and K-League Cup leading scorer.-K-League Regular Season Winners:- K-League Cup Winners :- R-League Winners:-References:* * - See also:...
: 2009 - K-League Best XIK-League Best XIThe K-League Best XI is an acknowledgement of the best eleven players in the league in a given season for K-League-Winners:- See also:* K-League MVP Award* K-League Players' Player of the Year* K-League Top Scorer Award* K-League Top Assistor Award...
: 2009 - AFC Champions LeagueAFC Champions LeagueThe AFC Champions League is the premier Asian club football competition hosted annually by Asian Football Confederation . The tournament is contested among the top thirty-two clubs from the top 10 Asian leagues, two of which must qualify through the playoffs...
Top Scorer: 2011
Club
Pohang SteelersPohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers are a South Korean professional football club based in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do. They were originally called POSCO, after the Pohang Iron and Steel Company that owned it...
- FA CupKorean FA CupThe Korean FA Cup is a national cup knockout competition involving K-League, National League, and various amateur and university-level clubs which is held by KFA....
Runners-up: 2001, 2002 - Asian Club Championship Champions: 1998
- Asian Super CupAsian Super CupThe Asian Super Cup was an annual competition between the winners of the Asian Champions Cup and the Asian Cup Winners Cup.The competition started in 1995, but came to an end in 2002 after both major AFC tournaments were merged into the Asian Champions League...
Runners-up: 1998 - Afro-Asian Club ChampionshipAfro-Asian Club ChampionshipThe Afro-Asian Club Championship, sometimes referred to as the Afro-Asian Cup, was a football competition endorsed by the Confederation of African Football and Asian Football Confederation , contested between the winners of the African Champions' Cup and the Asian Club Championship, the two...
Runners-up: 1998 - A3 Champions CupA3 Champions CupA3 Champions Cup was an annual football tournament sanctioned by the East Asian Football Federation. It began in 2003, involving the league champions of China, Japan and South Korea. The host nation also invited an additional team, making this a four team tournament. South Korea was the most...
Runners-up: 2005
Career statistics
|-|1998||rowspan=3|Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers are a South Korean professional football club based in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do. They were originally called POSCO, after the Pohang Iron and Steel Company that owned it...
||rowspan=3|K-League
K-League
The Korea Professional Football League is South Korea's only fully professional association football league. At the top of the South Korean football league system, it is the country's highest and most prestigious level of football competition currently contested by 16 clubs.-Establishment:The...
||15||7||||||9||4||||||24||11
|-
|1999||15||7||||||4||1||||||19||8
|-
|2000||7||4||||||1||0||colspan=2|-||8||4
|-
|-
|2000–01||Werder Bremen||Fußball-Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
||7||0||0||0||colspan=2|-||0||0||7||0
|-
|-
|2001||rowspan=2|Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers are a South Korean professional football club based in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do. They were originally called POSCO, after the Pohang Iron and Steel Company that owned it...
||rowspan=7|K-League
K-League
The Korea Professional Football League is South Korea's only fully professional association football league. At the top of the South Korean football league system, it is the country's highest and most prestigious level of football competition currently contested by 16 clubs.-Establishment:The...
||17||3||||||0||0||colspan=2|-||17||3
|-
|2002||21||7||||||0||0||colspan=2|-||21||7
|-
|2003||rowspan=3|Gwangju Sangmu Bulsajo||27||11||0||0||colspan=2|-||colspan=2|-||27||11
|-
|2004||19||1||2||0||4||3||colspan=2|-||25||4
|-
|rowspan=2|2005||0||0||0||0||1||0||colspan=2|-||1||0
|-
|rowspan=2|Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers
Pohang Steelers are a South Korean professional football club based in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do. They were originally called POSCO, after the Pohang Iron and Steel Company that owned it...
||17||3||3||0||7||4||colspan=2|-||27||7
|-
|2006||10||7||0||0||0||0||colspan=2|-||10||7
|-
|-
|2006–07||rowspan=2|Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
||rowspan=2|Premier League||9||0||2||0||0||0||colspan=2|-||11||0
|-
|2007–08||14||0||2||1||2||1||colspan=2|-||18||2
|-
|-
|2008||Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma is a South Korean professional football club, based in Seongnam, South Korea, that plays in the K-League...
||rowspan=4|K-League
K-League
The Korea Professional Football League is South Korea's only fully professional association football league. At the top of the South Korean football league system, it is the country's highest and most prestigious level of football competition currently contested by 16 clubs.-Establishment:The...
||10||2||0||0||3||0||colspan=2|-||13||2
|-
|2009||rowspan=3|Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are a professional football club based in Jeonju, Jeonbuk, South Korea. They won their first K-League title in 2009. Prior to this, the club won the AFC Champions League title in 2006, becoming the first club from East Asia to win the tournament since the AFC Champions...
||29||21||4||4||3||1||colspan=2|-||36||26
|-
|2010
2010 K-League
The 2010 edition of the K-League is the twenty-eighth since its establishment in 1983. The 2010 season is known as Sonata K-League 2010 due to the competition's sponsorship by Hyundai Motor Company. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors is the defending champions, having won their first title. The season began on...
||28||12||0||0||2||1||5||3||35||16
|-
|2011
2011 K-League
The 2011 edition of the K-League is the twenty-ninth since its establishment in 1983. The 2011 season is known as Hyundai Oilbank K-League 2011 due to the competition's sponsorship by Hyundai Oilbank...
||27||16||1||0||0||0||6||9||34||25
242||101||9||4||34||14||11||12||296||131
7||0||0||0||colspan=2|-||0||0||7||0
23||0||4||1||2||1||colspan=2|-||29||2
272||101||13||5||36||15||11||12||332||133
|-
|1998||8||0
|-
|1999||0||0
|-
|2000||8||6
|-
|2001||6||1
|-
|2002||5||0
|-
|2003||1||0
|-
|2004||10||8
|-
|2005||14||4
|-
|2006||8||1
|-
|2007||7||0
|-
|2008||0||0
|-
|2009||4||0
|-
|2010||||
|-
!Total||71||20
|}
International goals
- Results list South Korea's goal tally first.
Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition February 17, 2000 
United States Los AngelesLos ÁngelesLos Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
1 goal 2-2 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup 2000 CONCACAF Gold CupThe 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup was the fifth edition of the Gold Cup, the football championship of North America, Central America and the Caribbean . It was held in the United States, in Los Angeles, Miami, and San Diego. The format of the tournament changed from 1998; it was expanded to twelve teams,...October 7, 2000 
United Arab Emirates DubaiDubaiDubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
1 goal 4-2 2000 LG Cup October 19, 2000 
Lebanon TripoliTripoli, LebanonTripoli is the largest city in northern Lebanon and the second-largest city in Lebanon. Situated 85 km north of the capital Beirut, Tripoli is the capital of the North Governorate and the Tripoli District. Geographically located on the east of the Mediterranean, the city's history dates back...
3 goals 3-0 2000 AFC Asian Cup 2000 AFC Asian CupThe Asian Football Confederation's 2000 AFC Asian Cup finals were held in Lebanon between October 12 and October 29. Japan defeated defending champion Saudi Arabia in the final match in Beirut.-Qualification:...October 23, 2000 Lebanon TripoliTripoli, LebanonTripoli is the largest city in northern Lebanon and the second-largest city in Lebanon. Situated 85 km north of the capital Beirut, Tripoli is the capital of the North Governorate and the Tripoli District. Geographically located on the east of the Mediterranean, the city's history dates back...
1 goal 1-1 (2-1 a.e.t.) 2000 AFC Asian Cup 2000 AFC Asian CupThe Asian Football Confederation's 2000 AFC Asian Cup finals were held in Lebanon between October 12 and October 29. Japan defeated defending champion Saudi Arabia in the final match in Beirut.-Qualification:...October 26, 2000 Lebanon BeirutBeirutBeirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
1 goal 1-2 2000 AFC Asian Cup 2000 AFC Asian CupThe Asian Football Confederation's 2000 AFC Asian Cup finals were held in Lebanon between October 12 and October 29. Japan defeated defending champion Saudi Arabia in the final match in Beirut.-Qualification:...October 29, 2000 Lebanon BeirutBeirutBeirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
1 goal 1-0 2000 AFC Asian Cup 2000 AFC Asian CupThe Asian Football Confederation's 2000 AFC Asian Cup finals were held in Lebanon between October 12 and October 29. Japan defeated defending champion Saudi Arabia in the final match in Beirut.-Qualification:...September 16, 2001 
South Korea BusanBusanBusan , formerly spelled Pusan is South Korea's second largest metropolis after Seoul, with a population of around 3.6 million. The Metropolitan area population is 4,399,515 as of 2010. It is the largest port city in South Korea and the fifth largest port in the world...
1 goal 2-1 Friendly match July 10, 2004 South Korea GwangjuGwangjuGwangju is the sixth largest city in South Korea. It is a designated metropolitan city under the direct control of the central government's Home Minister...
1 goal 2-0 Friendly match July 23, 2004 
People's Republic of China JinanJinanJinan is the capital of Shandong province in Eastern China. The area of present-day Jinan has played an important role in the history of the region from the earliest beginnings of civilisation and has evolved into a major national administrative, economic, and transportation hub...
1 goal 2-0 2004 AFC Asian Cup 2004 AFC Asian CupThe 2004 AFC Asian Cup football competition is the thirteenth staging of AFC Asian Cup. It was held from July 17 to August 7, 2004 in China. The defending champions Japan defeated China in the final in Beijing....July 27, 2004 People's Republic of China JinanJinanJinan is the capital of Shandong province in Eastern China. The area of present-day Jinan has played an important role in the history of the region from the earliest beginnings of civilisation and has evolved into a major national administrative, economic, and transportation hub...
2 goals 4-0 2004 AFC Asian Cup 2004 AFC Asian CupThe 2004 AFC Asian Cup football competition is the thirteenth staging of AFC Asian Cup. It was held from July 17 to August 7, 2004 in China. The defending champions Japan defeated China in the final in Beijing....July 31, 2004 People's Republic of China JinanJinanJinan is the capital of Shandong province in Eastern China. The area of present-day Jinan has played an important role in the history of the region from the earliest beginnings of civilisation and has evolved into a major national administrative, economic, and transportation hub...
1 goal 3-4 2004 AFC Asian Cup 2004 AFC Asian CupThe 2004 AFC Asian Cup football competition is the thirteenth staging of AFC Asian Cup. It was held from July 17 to August 7, 2004 in China. The defending champions Japan defeated China in the final in Beijing....September 8, 2004 
Vietnam Ho Chi Minh CityHo Chi Minh CityHo Chi Minh City , formerly named Saigon is the largest city in Vietnam...
1 goal 2-1 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)Listed below are the dates and results for the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for Asia.44 Asian teams are affiliated with FIFA, but Cambodia, Philippines, Bhutan and Brunei decided not to take part, and Myanmar was banned from the competition, so a total of 39 teams took part, competing...November 17, 2004 South Korea SeoulSeoulSeoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
1 goal 2-0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)Listed below are the dates and results for the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for Asia.44 Asian teams are affiliated with FIFA, but Cambodia, Philippines, Bhutan and Brunei decided not to take part, and Myanmar was banned from the competition, so a total of 39 teams took part, competing...December 19, 2004 South Korea BusanBusanBusan , formerly spelled Pusan is South Korea's second largest metropolis after Seoul, with a population of around 3.6 million. The Metropolitan area population is 4,399,515 as of 2010. It is the largest port city in South Korea and the fifth largest port in the world...
1 goal 3-1 Friendly match February 9, 2005 South Korea SeoulSeoulSeoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
1 goal 2-0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)Listed below are the dates and results for the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for Asia.44 Asian teams are affiliated with FIFA, but Cambodia, Philippines, Bhutan and Brunei decided not to take part, and Myanmar was banned from the competition, so a total of 39 teams took part, competing...March 30, 2005 South Korea SeoulSeoulSeoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
1 goal 2-1 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)Listed below are the dates and results for the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for Asia.44 Asian teams are affiliated with FIFA, but Cambodia, Philippines, Bhutan and Brunei decided not to take part, and Myanmar was banned from the competition, so a total of 39 teams took part, competing...June 8, 2005 
Kuwait Kuwait CityKuwait City-Suburbs:Although the districts below are not usually recognized as suburbs, the following is a list of a few areas surrounding Kuwait city:Al-Salam ""السلام"" -Economy:...
1 goal 4-0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)Listed below are the dates and results for the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for Asia.44 Asian teams are affiliated with FIFA, but Cambodia, Philippines, Bhutan and Brunei decided not to take part, and Myanmar was banned from the competition, so a total of 39 teams took part, competing...November 16, 2005 South Korea SeoulSeoulSeoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
1 goal 2-0 Friendly match February 15, 2006 United States Los AngelesLos ÁngelesLos Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
1 goal 1-0 Friendly match February 7, 2010 
Japan TokyoTokyo, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
1 goal 5-0 2010 EAFF Championship February 14, 2010 Japan TokyoTokyo, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
1 goal 3-1 2010 EAFF Championship March 3, 2010 
England LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
1 goal 2-0 Friendly