Lee Hoe-taik (, born 11 October 1946) is a former South Korean football player and manager. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest South Korean forwards of all time. He is also one of four players inducted into the Korean FA Hall of Fame.
Lee started his youth career late in high school, but showed a fast development. He was selected for the South Korea national team three years after beginning football in earnest. On 10 December 1966, Lee made his senior international debut against Thailand at the 1966 Asian Games.
Lee joined Yangzee, founded by the Korean Central Intelligence Agency to develop the national team.
At the 1967 Merdeka Tournament, Lee scored three goals, contributing to the club's title.
Yangzee also participated at the 1969 Asian Champion Club Tournament. Lee scored a hat-trick in the first group match against Mysore State. Lee was injured during the third group match against Bangkok Bank, but provided an assist for the winning goal in the next match against Vietnam Police. Yangzee won all five matches until the semi-finals, but they lost 1âÂÂ0 to Maccabi Tel Aviv after extra time in the final.
Lee scored three goals in five matches of the 1968 Summer Olympics qualification. South Korea failed to qualify for the Olympics on goal difference, although their points were tied with Japan, the group winners.
Lee was lethargic while South Korea was eliminated in the group stage of the 1970 FIFA World Cup qualification, but he provided an assist for the winning goal in each of three matches against Laos, Malaysia, and Indonesia while winning the 1969 King's Cup after the failure in World Cup qualifiers.
Lee maintained the upturn at the 1970 Merdeka Tournament, scoring winning goals in a group stage match against Singapore, a semi-final match against India, and the final against Burma. On 5 September 1970, he scored the opener in a friendly against Benfica, which ended in a 1âÂÂ1 draw after Eusébio's penalty equaliser. At the 1970 King's Cup, he had a goal against Hong Kong and two assists against Malaysia, helping South Korea defend their title.
At the 1970 Asian Games, Lee made efforts to won a major title. He scored the winning goal in a group stage match against Iran, and provided assists for all two of South Korea's goals in the semi-final win over Japan. After defeating their biggest rivals, South Korea shared the gold with Burma by drawing 0âÂÂ0 in the final. That year, he was evaluated as the largest contributor to the national team's success including three Asian titles, being named the Korean FA Most Valuable Player.
Lee also played for South Korea at the 1972 AFC Asian Cup. He scored the winning goal in a group stage match against Khmer Republic. In the final against Iran, he provided an assist for the equaliser, but his team lost 2âÂÂ1 after extra time.
On 2 June 1972, Lee scored a goal in a 3âÂÂ2 friendly defeat to Santos, for which Pelé was playing.
Lee was nicknamed the "Leopard" in South Korea due to his innate stamina, rapid pace, and powerful shots. He was also proficient in creating chances, giving many key passes to other forwards in the middle.
Lee managed POSCO Atoms from 1987 to 1992 and won two K Leagues. Lee also managed the South Korea national team from 1988 to 1990. He finished runner-up at the 1988 AFC Asian Cup, and earned nine wins and two draws without a defeat at the 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification. However, he lost all three matches in the group stage of the 1990 FIFA World Cup, struggling at world-class level.
<div><li style=display:inline-table;>
</li> <li style=display:inline-table>
</li></div>
Yangzee
POSCO FC
South Korea
Individual
Hanyang University
POSCO Atoms
South Korea
Individual