Before the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa last summer, Jung Sung-ryong, the new goalkeeper for the Suwon Samsung Bluewings in South Korea’s K-League, had played second fiddle to veteran netminder Lee Woon-jae.

But that’s no longer the case today.

Jung, 26, has since replaced Lee on both stages. Initially viewed as a backup to Lee, Jung started all four games for South Korea at the World Cup as the country reached the round of 16 for the first time at a World Cup held outside of Korea. Lee, 37, announced his retirement from the national team in August, further entrenching Jung as the go-to guy in the net. Jung was the team’s undisputed No. 1 goalkeeper in January at the Asian Cup, where South Korea finished third.

Last month, Lee, considered in the twilight of his career, was not retained by Suwon, a team he’d played on for more than a decade, and he instead signed with the Chunnam Dragons.

His replacement in Suwon is none other than Jung, who moved in from the Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma as one of the most coveted free agents this offseason.

“A lot has happened to me since last year,” Jung told reporters with a smile.

The Bluewings have set up their training camp in Namhae, located about 500 kilometers south of Seoul, ahead of the 2011 K-League season, which kicks off next weekend. 

(Yonhap News)