Sportskeeda End of the Year awards: Top 10 Goals from 2011

What else can we demand from football. Incredible goals have always been part of the sport and they will continue to do so. This year, plenty of breathtaking strikes have been smashed in and as we edge closer towards the New Year, Sportskeeda has taken the liberty to compile a list of 2011′s best goals.

In the fourth edition of our End of the Year awards, we have a look at some of the best goals 2011 has produced.

1. Wayne Rooney vs Manchester City (Barclays Premier League)

Needless to point our the spectacular essence of this goal. From passion to excitement, the goal came at the perfect moment as Rooney backflicked City’s title ambition last season. Brilliant stuff!

2. Nazmi Faiz Mansor vs Bahrain (Olympic Qualifiers)

For a 17-year old school student making an impression with the national team, to score a wondergoal is often a dream. But for Nazmi Faiz, it’s a brilliant reality. The young prodigy, who impressed during Malaysia’a SEA Games triumph, was absolutely sensational in the match against Bahrain, scoring a terrific goal that gave them the lead. Has to be one of the most impressive strikes of 2011.

3. Giovanni Dos Santos vs USA (Gold Cup Final)

Yet another brilliant goal from Giovanni Dos Santos. He showed great maturity and patience inside the box, jinking pass impeccable pressure from the defenders before curling in a ‘slow motion’ shot into the goal, which sent the Mexican team into celebratory mode. They then went on to lift the Gold Cup by beating USA 4-2.

4. Dejan Stankovic vs Schalke 04 (UEFA Champions League)

Every football fan will have to cherish this kind of goals as it takes pure power and precision to score bombs like this. Neuer’s headed clearance was not the best, and Stankovic showed great accuracy to smash in the ball from such a long distance that even Roberto Carlos would have been proud of!

5. Neymar vs Flamengo (Brazilian Championship)

Arguably one of Neymar’s best ever goals. And trust me, it ain’t easy to spot the best out of his lot because this lad keeps on popping up with sensational goals like this! No wonder Pele is tipping him to be the best ever one day. Time will tell that. P/S: Why don’t English commentators go “GOAAAAAAAAALLLL”

6. Sanju Pradhan vs Shillong Lajong (Indian League)

He received. He flicked. He looked. He ran. And he launched. The back of the net was smashed in style and the crowd stood in amazement to such a majestic strike. Long distance shots do not come much better than this to be frank!

7. Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs Lecce (Serie A)

We have plenty of beauties from the temperamental Swede but this one has to be one of those rare moments of magic. Within such a little turn, Ibrahimovic generates plenty of pace and elevation into his shot as well, beating the Lecce goalkeeper in style.

8. Robin Van Persie vs Everton (Barclays Premier League)

I’d have to credit Song for a fantastic assist but nevertheless, take nothing away from the man himself. Robin Van Persie has been an amazing form as far as 2011 is concerned and sum the whole year up, this was certainly my pick of his lot. Epic finish!

9. Lisandro Lopez vs Olimpo (Aperture 2011)

This is not the Lisandro you think it is. But just embrace the goal. Bicycle kick straight from a corner. What a finish and I must say, it was a risky attempt as well. But the manner is which he finished it was absolutely mindblowing!

10. Cristiano Ronaldo vs Ajax (UEFA Champions League)

We should probably not credit Ronaldo for this goal because it was a bomb counter attack from Real Madrid with such blistering pace, that the Ajax defence was torn apart. Definitely the best team goal of 2011!

Honourable mentions

David Villa vs Manchester United (UEFA Champions League final)Robin Van Persie vs Barcelona (UEFA Champions League)Benjamin de Cuelar vs Club Brugge (Belgian League)Julio Gomez vs Germany U-17 (FIFA U-17 World Cup)Lionel Messi vs Arsenal (UEFA Champions League)Marco Fabian vs Barcelona (Friendly)

P/S: The goals were not arranged in any order, so drop us a comment below and let us know your pick of the lot!