The five best performers in the group stage selected by AFP Afif, Hussein, Al Batat, etc.
Lee Kang-in entering the stadium
The final match of Group E of the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup held at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar on the 25th (local time) between Korea and Malaysia.
Lee Kang-in (PSG), the core of the Korean soccer attack, was included in the five players who shined in the group stage of the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Qatar Asian Cup selected by AFP.
AFP said on the 26th (local time), ‘From Afif to Lee Kang-in…The article titled ‘5 players who shone in the Asian Cup group stage’ highlighted the players who showed off their skills in this tournament.
Along with Lee Kang-in, Qatari ace Akram Afif, Iraqi striker Ayman Hussein, Palestinian captain Musab al-Batat, and Iranian midfielder Mehdi Gayedi were selected by AFP.
AFP commented, “Coach Jurgen Klinsmann chose Lee Kang-in as the key player. This attacking midfielder from Paris Saint-Germain repaid the coach’s faith in this tournament.”
He added, “In the first game against Bahrain, he scored two goals and performed better than captain Son Heung-min (Tottenham).”
Lee Kang-in scored 1 goal and 1 assist in the third match of Group E against Malaysia (3-3 draw).
Lee Kang-in, who played as a right-sided midfielder, assisted Jung Woo-young (Stuttgart)’s headed goal with a sharp corner kick in the 21st minute of the first half, and even succeeded in a spectacular free kick in the 38th minute of the second half, contributing to two of the three goals.
Lee Kang-in, who was selected by AFC as one of the best 11 midfielders for the first and third group matches, is tied for second in scoring in the tournament.The leader is Hussein (5 goals).
Lee Kang-in played in 22 A matches (national team) in total and scored 7 goals.All 7 goals came in the last 8 games, establishing himself as the core of the attack under Coach Klinsmann.
AFP also believed that Klinsmann’s success depends on Lee Kang-in’s performance.
The media said, “Korea, which failed to gain confidence in Qatar, will now face Saudi Arabia, led by coach Roberto Mancini, in the round of 16. However, if Lee Kang-in poses a threat (to the opposing team) with creative play and mid-range shots, Korea will win for the first time since 1960. “We might be able to lift the championship trophy,” he said. 스포츠토토