[SBS Special] Behind the scenes Yoo:
The story of Sang-cheol that we didn't know
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The story of Sang-cheol Yoo that we didn't know was revealed.
In the SBS Special 2021 Summer Special, which aired on the 18th, with the subtitle 'Behind You - The Sangcheol Story We Didn't Know', the Korean soccer legend Yoo Sang-cheol, who passed away recently, was highlighted.
In the winter of 2019, another match that I had hoped for with all my heart was unfolded, although it did not receive as much attention as the World Cup. And there was one person who was at the center of the hot moment of the first World Cup victory in the summer of 2002 and the victory that was desperately needed in 2019. Yoo Sang-cheol was hotter than anyone on the ground and warmer than anyone outside the field.
It was pancreatic cancer that broke his calm daily life. Yoo Sang-cheol was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer the day before his birthday. He couldn't tell the players ahead of an important game, and at his birthday party the day after his birthday, his colleague and then head of the team's power reinforcement department, Lee Cheon-soo, shed hot tears.
He said, "It was more difficult to bear with the cake. At the time, some of the staff knew." He said, "I called directly and the first word was, 'Cancer. Pancreatic cancer.' I couldn't believe it. Just a few days ago, someone who was healthier than the players came in a few days later. That's what I was talking about," he said, telling the story of that day that was hard to believe even thinking about it now.
At that time, head coach Lim Joong-yong recalled the day when director Yoo Sang-cheol confessed to cancer himself and cried, "He cried while talking. I can't forget that image. At that time, I hugged the director and the two of us cried for about 10 minutes."
The teammates who ran with Yoo Sang-cheol at the 2002 World Cup could not hide their sadness at the news of his battle with cancer. In an interview with coach Yoo Sang-cheol during his lifetime in December of last year, he said, "It was my birthday on October 18th. The next day I had a match against Seongnam, and since the 17th, jaundice was so bad that I went to the hospital with the team doctor to get an ultrasound. They called me, and they said it was stage 4 pancreatic cancer."
On the day of the game on October 19th, Manager Lee Cheon-soo said, "If you don't win today's game, you will regret it greatly if you don't bring results. I hope you do your best for the coach than ever before." They entered the game with a heavier heart than ever.
And Yoo Sang-cheol postponed his treatment and kept his seat, watching the last game at home. The miraculous goal scored 20 minutes before the end of the game brought the team one step closer to remaining in the first division.
At that time, manager Yoo Sang-cheol, even though he recognized that his physical condition was serious, kept the team until the end and tried to keep his promise to stay with the fans.
Prior to that, in May 2019, Incheon United selected Yoo Sang-cheol as manager to save the team. Lee Cheon-soo said, "I need a star on the field. I had to give the players with low self-esteem the idea that someone can become an axis and trust him and go to the game," said Yoo Sang-cheol as a suitable person.
His warm words that caused the team during the most difficult time completely changed the team atmosphere. In response, Yoo Sang-cheol said that he did not want to become a leader who only puts authority on the basis of his own experiences.
In fact, when he retired, he was thinking of leaving football. However, as a senior who had more experience than anyone else, I thought again on the advice of a friend that it is very selfish to just leave the football world, and after that, I started teaching youth players.
Starting with a TV program, he made his debut as a professional team manager after going through high school and college teams, and he tried not to lose his original mind even on a rough journey.
His fan said, "I discovered the fun of changing players while teaching because of a player who was too big. That is Lee Kang-in." He said, "I became greedy while teaching Lee Kang-in, and I coached like an adult player." The spark to go on the path of a leader became a spark,” he explained.
Yoo Sang-cheol said calmly, "As a leader, if I set my ultimate goal in the end, I want to become a national team manager." "For that, I must not be too late." And he said, "That way, Kang In can join the national team. Wouldn't it be cool if you imagined it. At that time, I might get to the quarterfinals or higher again," he said with a happy face at the pleasant imagination.
His teammates cite his wedge goal as the most impactful moment in their first win at the 2002 World Cup. In addition, I admired his various records, in which his mental and physical strength was greater than anyone else's.
In fact, Yoo Sang-cheol was blind in one eye. And he played the position perfectly at any moment. As a result, his teammates said, "It's the best multiplayer ever."
After joining Ulsan Hyundai in 1994, Yoo Sang-cheol, who did his best in any position since his professional debut, advances to the J-League in 1999. And his sincerity towards soccer moved the hearts of Japanese fans.
J-League fans who chanted Yoo Sang-cheol after hearing the news of his battle in February last year, Yoo Sang-cheol visited the club he was in and thanked him for the support of his fans who wished for his recovery.
Lee Cheon-soo said, "He is a very happy person. I was really surprised when I saw him cheering for me as a legend in a country with a bad feeling," said Lee Cheon-soo, who was also envious of him.
Director Yoo Sang-cheol said, "I was moved at that time, and it was touching that they called me by name until I couldn't see myself." He said, "I am a mercenary, and I don't understand the language, and even though my nationality is different, I played hard for the team, so I think the fans recognized that." added.
In November 2019, it was the first match we played after we informed the media and fans of pancreatic cancer. Incheon United won this match and decorated it with a victory in their first home game after Yoo Sang-cheol took office.
Yoo Sang-cheol, who sacrificed himself to protect something precious. Even in the moment of exultation of sharing the joy of victory, he showed regret as he could not completely shake off the sudden pain.
In the last game of the season in Changwon, Gyeongnam, more supporters arrived than ever before. One fan explained, "It was heartbreaking to see coach Yoo Sang-cheol finishing the season while procrastinating on self-treatment. In the meantime, the fans started to become more one, and it seems that so many people gathered in the last game."
On November 30, 19, Incheon recorded a draw with the opposing team in the last game that decided to stay at the club, and Yoo Sang-cheol kept his promise to fans and players. He then stepped down from his managerial position in January 2020 to focus on treatment, promising to return in good health.
During his lifetime, Yoo Sang-cheol said frankly, "I want to run away, I want to give up, and the day comes when I have to go for an injection, and the more the number of times passes, the more I feel the fear." And Yoo Sang-cheol, remembering his mother who died of pancreatic cancer, said, "Your mother is amazing. I am now on my 13th chemotherapy, and my mother has received more than 30 treatments. I've never done it before, so I don't think I can say that it's even harder."
And after a while, Yoo Sang-cheol left us with a bright smile. A friendship photo he took with his friends while battling the disease was his final journey together.
Photographer Chosun-hee, who was in charge of his photo shoot at the time, said about director Yoo Sang-cheol, "Sang-cheol's smile is very good, but I hope I will remember him as a person with a pretty smile.
Yoo Sang-cheol, who visited the soccer field, which had been his whole life, sat down on a bench and remembered many things in the past. And he confessed that he still loves football how much he loves football.
Finally, the broadcast prayed for his well-being by recalling once again the eternal No. 6 Yoo Sang-cheol, a man who did not hesitate on the road to soccer, a hero who would lift us up when life was hard and difficult, and who gave us an unforgettable summer with patience and sacrificial passion. .
(SBS Entertainment News Editor Kim Hyo-jeong)
▶ [Behind the scenes: Sang-cheol's story we didn't know ②] Heading goal with 'broken nose bone'... Hustle player who did not spare himself
▶ [Behind You: The story of Sang-cheol that we did not know ③] Even if we can’t promise tomorrow… 'Eternal number 6' that kept the ground until the end