Keenan Douce free-kick was a gem

siride June 04, 2022

Photo: Keenan Douce netted a brilliant free-kick on Saturday night [PlessPix]

Keenan Douce’s goal from a free-kick for Kingborough Lions United against Clarence Zebras on Saturday night was a gem.

It was his first league goal of the season and it was a beauty. [He also scored a goal against Clarence Zebras in the Lakoseljac Cup this season.]

That took the score to 4-1 in favour of the Lions after leading 3-1 at the interval and they ended 5-2 winners.

The free-kick, in the opening minute of the second half, was given just outside the right-hand corner of the penalty area and Clarence Zebras did the normal thing by lining up their defensive ‘wall’ nearest the ball and positioning the goalkeeper to cover any chips aimed over the wall and towards the far post.

All the coaching manuals prescribe this set-up.

It’s the keeper’s task to ensure his ‘wall’ is well set up and covering the near post.

At the risk of committing sacrilege, Douce’s free-kick was a bit like one that the great Diego Maradona used to execute, albeit with his magical left foot.

Maradona would run up as if he was about to send a left-footed chip over the wall, before suddenly stopping and slicing the ball with the outside of his left foot, low and around the outside of the ‘wall’ so that it curled inside the near post.

Douce used his right foot to curl the ball around the outside of the ‘wall and inside the near post.

It was deliberate, well-practiced technique and a brilliant goal and it deserves to be a contender for the ‘goal of the season’.

One could argue that the ‘wall’ was not perfectly positioned, but be that as it may, Douce’s technique was outstanding and he deserves accolades for the goal.

Kingborough’s free-kicks are usually taken by Chris Downes, but he was suspended and so the job fell to right-back Douce.

“Chris Downes is such a prolific free-kick taker, but he was out so it was an opportunity for some boys to potentially step up,” Douce said.

“When that ball was there I kind of looked at Jez [coach Jez Kenth] and thought, ‘Can I have a go?

“He kind of gave me the nod so I just had it in my mind to sneak it in between the wall and the post.

“I spent a bit of time during COVID practising and it finally paid off in the game, which is a bonus.

“It was good.”

Photo: WIN TV's Brent Costelloe interviews Keenan Douce at Football Tasmania headquarters today [Photo by Kester Takayama]

Douce dismissed suggestions that he would now take over the free-kick taking role from Downes.

“I don’t think that’ll be the case but I’ll have a chat to him during the week to just say, ‘Look mate, if you don’t feel as confident as you usually do, I’m more than happy to step up,” Douce said.

“I mean, he’s been unbelievable. He’s been really good from set-pieces this year and I don’t see that stopping now.”

Have a look at the highlight clips of the Lions’ game against Clarence Zebras and see what you think of the goal.

I loved it because it showed that players at NPL Tasmania level can do extraordinary things if only they are willing to think outside the square, practise techniques and show confidence in their own abilities.