South Korea’s MVP Lee Min-a wins hearts of Hong Kong fans at EAFF Championship

Diminutive midfielder Lee Min-a not only helped South Korea win the EAFF qualifying tournament in Hong Kong in style but her sweet smile also won the hearts of many fans.

The 25-year-old was instrumental in her team’s attack, earning her the MVP of the tournament award, as South Korea proved themselves to be in a class of their own.

They thrashed Taiwan 9-0 in their last match to advance to the final next year in Japan, where they will face North Korea and China. The Koreans netted 36 times in three matches in Hong Kong, with Lee scoring four times – two against Guam and one each against Hong Kong and Taiwan. 

As a junior, Lee was a member of the South Korea women’s national under-20 football team. She was also part of South Korea’s 2010 Fifa U-20 Women’s World Cup squad. 

At club level, she played for Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels in South Korea and scored during the 2012 Women’s K-League play-off.