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| Archraf Hakimi (center) preparing a free kick himself against Girona on the 19th. João Neves (left) approached and said a few words, but it was Hakimi who tried to shoot, and the ball went wide of the goal. Lee Kang-in just stared blankly at Hakimi's kick. Source = Capture the broadcast screen |
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| '어림없는 볼'. Source = Capture the broadcast screen |
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), who is confident in one kick, did not have a chance to kick even though he took a free kick chance in a position suitable for kicking.
PSG failed to open the net until the mid-to-late second half of the 2024-2025 European Champions League Phase 1 against Girona in Paris, France, on the 19th (Korea time).
Then, in the 32nd minute of the second half, a golden free kick chance came. Winger Usman Dembele tripped over an opponent's tackle at the right diagonal point near the opponent's penalty box. The left-footer was in an advantageous position to kick. The spot is famous for 'Gojongsujon' in Korea.
But just after the referee blew the foul whistle, it was full-back Achiraf Hakimi who walked to the free-kick spot and took the ball. Hakimi, the Moroccan national team, is a right foot catcher.
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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Lee Kang-in and Hakimi had a scuffle over who would kick a free kick against Montpellier in the second round last season. At that time, Hakimi insisted, so Lee Kang-in eventually made concessions, and Hakimi's ball went way off the post. Hakimi gave Lee Kang-in an assist at the end of the second half and smiled awkwardly.
About a year later, Lee Kang-in and Hakimi faced a similar situation. Lee Kang-in looked at Hakimi preparing for the kick, standing still next to the ball built on the grass, rather than claiming that 'I'll kick it' this time. Hakimi's shot went up high again this time.
PSG won 1-0 in the 45th minute of the second half thanks to Gazaniga's own goal with a foul of the former Tottenham goalkeeper. After the game, some PSG fans mentioned the free-kick situation, arguing that Lee Kang-in, who was active for about 27 minutes by replacing him in the 18th minute of the second half, should be more actively utilized. Isn't it right for Lee Kang-in, a left-footed player, to kick.
If Lee Kang-in, who is good at kicking his left foot, had kicked it, fans thought he could have threatened the goal more, although it is not known whether he will score or not. Lee Kang-in scored an equalizer with a picturesque left-footed free kick in the group stage of the 2023 Qatar Asian Cup with Malaysia in January.
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| Hakimi, free-kick scoring scene against Marseille in September 2023. SNS |
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| Hakimi scored a free kick against Egypt at the Paris Olympics in August. Relay Screen |
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But Hakimi has a lot to say if it's a free kick. Hakimi scored a 40-yard long-distance free kick in the 2024 Paris Olympics bronze medal match against Egypt in August to lead his country Morocco to a bronze medal.
Hakimi scored a free kick in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations against Gabon with his right foot curled in a similar position to the Girona match, and in September last year, he scored a free kick in a similar position with Olainfic de Marseille and 'Le Clasique'. It is not unreasonable for Hakimi to claim 'kick ticket' when considering the success rate.
However, depending on the location of the free kick, it is necessary to organize traffic on who will kick. Lee Kang-in has no free kick goal after joining PSG because he did not have a chance to kick.
yoonjinman@sportschosun.com
