South Korea's veteran goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae announced Tuesday that he will retire from the national squad next week, ending his 16-year career on the international stage.
The 37-year-old goalie made his national team debut in 1994 and has attended four World Cup tournaments.
He has allowed 113 goals in the 131 games he played.
"So far I think I have dedicated myself to the national team. Now I should step aside and give space to new players," said Lee, who captained
the national team at the 2002 World Cup. "A man should know when to leave, and for me it's now."
He said he began to consider quitting the national squad during the South Africa World Cup last month. Lee made it onto the national team for the tournament, but did not play in any games.
The Korea Football Association said it will arrange Lee's farewell match during a friendly with Nigeria in Suwon on Aug. 11.
"It's a great honor to have a farewell match," said Lee.
The game, his last, will be his 132nd international match, the second best record in South Korean football after Olympic team coach Hong Myung-bo with 135.
With his leadership and stable saves, Lee stands out in blocking penalties.
He made a superb save in a penalty shootout in the 2002 World Cup quarterfinal match against Spain and led his team to the semifinals that
year. Another penalty shootout performance of his helped South Korea finish third at the 2007 Asian Cup, nudging Japan.