1. On 19 November 2008, Lee Young-pyo became the seventh Korean player to earn 100 caps in a World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia.
23 Facts About Lee Young-pyo
1. 2.
Lee Young-pyo graduated from Konkuk University in Seoul, and began his professional career in a K League club Anyang LG Cheetahs, currently FC Seoul.
3.
Lee Young-pyo contributed to Anyang's K League title in 2000.
4.
Lee Young-pyo assisted South Korea's winning goals against Portugal and Italy with crosses.
5.
Lee Young-pyo followed Guus Hiddink and teammate Park Ji-sung into PSV Eindhoven after finishing the World Cup in fourth place.
6.
At PSV, Lee Young-pyo flourished under Hiddink's guidance and soon established himself in PSV's first team.
7.
At Tottenham, Lee Young-pyo was an immediate hit and earned a spot on the Premier League's best eleven in his debut week.
8.
Lee Young-pyo then faced increased competition when Tottenham signed French defender Pascal Chimbonda on the final day of the transfer period.
9.
Lee Young-pyo suffered a knee injury and in August 2006, Tottenham offered his rights to Roma of Italy's Serie A, but he backed out at the last minute for "personal reasons".
10.
On 31 August 2006, Lee Young-pyo held a press conference in Korea and denied that religion was a factor in his decision.
11.
Lee Young-pyo said that moving to Roma would have been great for him in terms of football alone but he decided against it for personal reasons that he would not reveal, despite being pressed for answers by 50 attending reporters.
12.
Lee Young-pyo regained his place in the first team when Assou-Ekotto's form began to falter, most notably in a very poor performance against arch-rivals Arsenal.
13.
On 9 August 2007, Tottenham manager Martin Jol announced that Lee Young-pyo would be "fit for selection" in "one or two weeks".
14.
On 18 August 2007, Lee Young-pyo made his first start of the season against Derby County.
15.
Lee Young-pyo missed the final but earned a medal for his contributions.
16.
On 27 August 2008, Lee Young-pyo transferred to a Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund for an undisclosed fee.
17.
On 10 July 2009, Lee Young-pyo left for a Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.
18.
Lee Young-pyo couldn't understand the will of God, but enjoyed his new life with Muslims.
19.
Lee Young-pyo told this interesting anecdote in his lecture after retirement.
20.
Lee Young-pyo scored his first MLS goal for Vancouver on 28 April 2012 off a free kick against the Columbus Crew.
21.
Lee Young-pyo was a crucial part to Vancouver's 2012 season and was played as a right back.
22.
Lee Young-pyo was considered one of their best players on the team that year.
23.
Lee Young-pyo was awarded with Vancouver's 2012 Player of the Year on 21 October 2012 after helping the team become the first Canadian team to reach the MLS Cup Playoffs.