“You have to enter the midfielder that represents the K-League.”
37 goals and 9 assists in 142 games. Looking at the record, it seems a bit unreasonable to be considered the best midfielder in 40 years of history. However, experts agreed that the late Yoo Sang-cheol should be selected as the best 11. 8 out of 10 people who actually participated in the vote cast their votes for Yoo Sang-cheol.
Yoo Sang-cheol is synonymous with ‘multiplayer’. He played every position except goalkeeper. He was different from other multiplayers who couldn’t settle down in one position. Yoo Sang-cheol played a top-notch role in any position, from the final defender to the front striker.
records prove it. Yoo Sang-cheol, who was selected as the league’s best 11 defender in 1994, was named in the best 11 midfielder four years later. In 2002 he was voted one of the league’s best strikers. Having made a name for himself as a defensive midfielder, he scored 15 goals (three assists) in 23 league games in 1998 and became the top scorer.
Yoo Sang-chul, who stood out in all positions, is evaluated as the best midfielder. Former commentator Shin Moon-seon said, “Yoo Sang-cheol is the best defensive midfielder in Korea.” MBC commentator Seo Hyung-wook also recalled, “I always played the best role in the position the coach asked for,” but “showed a great presence as a defensive midfielder.”
Yoo Sang-cheol was truly versatile. It is a background that can be played in various locations. He has excellent kicking power, physical fighting, passing, shooting, etc., and his abilities are evenly developed. He has a strong stamina and fighting spirit. In addition, Yoo Sang-cheol, who is 1m 84cm tall, belonged to the tall axis at the time and was good at fighting for air supremacy. This is a big reason why he was able to stand out as the final defensive and frontline striker. 스포츠토토
Hyun Young-min, head coach of Hyundai High School, who ate a pot of rice with Ulsan Hyundai and the national team during his active career, recently told this magazine, “Senior Yoo Sang-cheol’s skills are excellent, so I relied on him a lot and became a source of strength when I was on the ground with him. He also had a charismatic appearance, and he made his teammates feel comfortable off the pitch.”
Yoo Sang-chul, who started his pro career in Ulsan, transferred to Yokohama Marinos (Japan) in 1999 and returned to the K-League after playing for Kashiwa Reysol. After the 2002 FIFA Korea-Japan World Cup, Yoo Sang-cheol returned to his hometown of Ulsan and flew. At the time, he boasted a hot tip, such as scoring 9 goals in 8 league appearances while playing as a striker. Thanks to that, Ulsan was able to compete for the championship with Seongnam Ilhwa until the last minute and finished the season in second place.