1. Early Life
Ēriks Pelcis was born on May 28, 1978, in Latvia. He developed his early football skills in his home country, preparing for a career as a professional forward.
2. Club Career
Pelcis spent a significant portion of his professional career playing for various clubs. His most notable period was in the K League in South Korea.
2.1. K League Career
In 1999, Pelcis joined Anyang LG Cheetahs, a club now known as FC Seoul, in the South Korean K League. He holds the distinction of being the first Latvian footballer to play in the K League, where he was registered under the name Erik (에릭Korean). During his two seasons with the club, from the 1999 season to the 2000 season, he made a total of 23 appearances and scored 4 goals across all competitions. This included 15 appearances and 2 goals in the regular league, and 8 appearances and 2 goals in the League Cup.
3. International Career
Ēriks Pelcis also represented his home country, Latvia, at the international level. He made his debut for the Latvian national team in an A-match on February 6, 2000. This match was against Lithuania as part of the Cyprus International Tournament. In this debut match, Pelcis scored his first international goal. Overall, he earned 5 caps for the Latvian national team.
4. Career Statistics
A comprehensive overview of Ēriks Pelcis's playing statistics throughout his professional football career is presented below.
4.1. International Statistics
| # | Date | Venue | Home Team | Final Result | Away Team | Competition | Goals | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | February 6, 2000 | Larnaca | Lithuania | 2 - 1 | Latvia | Cyprus International Tournament | 1 | Substituted on (62nd minute) |
| 2 | April 26, 2000 | Kaunas | Lithuania | 2 - 1 | Latvia | Friendly match | 1 | Substituted off (63rd minute) |
| 3 | June 3, 2000 | Riga | Latvia | 1 - 0 | Finland | Friendly match | 1 | Substituted on (46th minute) |
| 4 | October 7, 2000 | Riga | Latvia | 0 - 4 | Belgium | 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification | - | Substituted on (68th minute) |
| 5 | August 21, 2002 | Riga | Latvia | 2 - 4 | Belarus | Friendly match | - | Substituted on (69th minute) |
5. Legacy and Impact
Ēriks Pelcis holds a unique place in Latvian football history as the first player from Latvia to compete in the K League in South Korea. His presence in the league represented a significant cultural and sporting exchange, opening doors for potential future Latvian players in Asian football leagues.