James Rodriguez’s goal against Uruguay in the World Cup has been nominated for the FIFA Puskas award this year.It’s that time of the year when the best goal of the year is decided. From Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s stunning strike against England to Ronaldo’s strike against Porto, this award has been awarded to spectacular goals in the past.The nominations which were released have some stunning goals and the competition is stiff. We take a look at the 10 goals nominated for the Puskás Award.Criteria to be nominated for the Puskas awardThis year’s award considers goals scored between 3 October 2013 and 26 September 2014. Other criteria include:It should be a beautiful goalThe importance of the match should be taken into accountThe goal should not be the result of luck, mistakes or a deflection by a teammate or the other team.The goal should support fair play (Eg. the player’s behaviour is considered, he shouldn’t have been charged with doping etc)
#1 Marco Fabian - Cruz Azul vs Puebla
Mexican international Marco Fabian scored a stunning goal for Cruz Azul against Puebla in February.
The goal being scored in injury time helped Cruz Azul strengthen their grip on top of the league and that was the icing on the cake.
Coming in from the edge of the area controlling a long pass, Fabian rounded off his marker with a clever turn and took a shot which found the top left corner of the net, leaving the spectators in awe.
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#2 Diego Costa - Atletico Madrid vs Getafe
Atletico Madrid fans must surely have some fond memories of Diego Costa. One such memory would be the overhead-kick goal he scored against Getafe in November 2013.
Even though Atletico Madrid emerged comfortable winners in this particular fixture, the stand out moment of the match was Diego Costa’s goal.
Atletico captain Gabi sent in a teasing cross over the heads of the Getafe defenders and Costa was one of the two Atletico players in the box. He shook of the defenders and acrobatically took the shot which found its way in the back of the net.
The shot left the goalkeeper stranded on the spot.
#3 Tim Cahill - Australia vs Netherlands
The world has seen it, and the common reaction from everyone was to applaud this brilliantly taken goal by Tim Cahill for Australia against the Netherlands.
The match in question took place during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Netherlands opened the scoring through Arjen Robben but their lead lasted only a minute courtesy of a stunning volleyed goal by Cahill.
It started off from McGowan’s diagonal pass. With two defenders to beat in the box, it seemed as though Cahill would wait for the cavalry to arrive. But that wasn’t the case and Cahill didn’t think for a second before he rifled in a volley from his weaker foot which found the back of the net.
That goal from Cahill brought him laurels from footballing greats from all around the world and it’s no wonder that it is nominated for the prestigious award.
#4 Pajtim Kasami - Crystal Palace vs Fulham
Switzerland international Pajtim Kasami’s strike against Crystal Palace has deservedly been nominated for the Puskás Awards.
Kasami’s strike drew comparisons with Marco van Basten’s goal in the 1988 European Championship Final; with the then Fulham manager Martin Jol saying it was better than Van Basten’s. The goal also made Jack Wilshere tweet: ‘There goes my goal of the month (against Norwich City) award’.
Running at full speed, Kasami controlled a pass on his chest and took a shot that went past Julian Speroni in goal. It was all about controlling the pass with his chest when running at full stretch away from goal and the improbable angle.
#5 Stephanie Roche - Peamount United vs Wexford Youths
Republic of Ireland international Stephanie Roche left everyone in awe of her goal against Wexford Youths. Football fans all over the world got to see this stunning goal courtesy Peamount United manager Eileen Gleeson who recorded the video.
The 25-year-old had her back towards the goal yet, it didn’t deter her from turning and unleashing a stunning volley into the back of the net.
She juggled the ball twice before taking the shot into the corner leaving the goalkeeper no chance to attamp a save.
#6 James Rodriguez - Colombia vs Uruguay
World Cup Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez lit up the tournament with this goal against Uruguay in Brazil.
It was the first goal in Colombia’s 2-0 win over Uruguay and the goal was also voted the Goal of the Tournament.
The Uruguayan defence tried to clear the ball but could do so only until Cuadrado, who then headed the ball into the path of Rodriguez.
The Real Madrid star controlled the headed pass on his chest, turned and took a spectacular volley which crashed against the underside of the cross bar and landed in the back of the net.
#7 Hisato Sato - Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Kawasaki Frontale
This goal was scored in the Japanese J League match in March 2014 between Sanfrecce Hiroshima against Kawasaki Frontale.
Sato collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area, flicked the ball in the air and executed a looping volley while on the spin which left the goalkeeper baffled and found its way into the back of the net.
#8 Camilo Sanvezzo - Vancouver Whitecaps vs Portland Timbers
MLS Goal of the Year winner Camilo Sanvezzo’s strike against Portland Timbers in October 2013 has been deservedly nominated for the Puskás Award this year.
Young-Pyo Lee crossed the ball into the path of Camilo who jumped in the air and met the cross with a flying scissor-kick volley which found its way towards the near post and in. The goal also levelled the match in the 78th minute.
#9 Robin van Persie - Netherlands vs Spain
One goal which can hardly be forgotten would be Van Persie’s stunning header against Spain during this year’s FIFA World Cup. The internet went crazy with the Dutchman’s flying header.
Daley Blind saw Van Persie calling for the ball and sent in an inch-perfect cross from the half way line. The striker then beat the high line being maintained by Spain and sprinted towards goal leaving Ramos surprised and trying to get back to cover his goalkeeper.
Iker Casillas, with no option left, came off his line to deal with the danger but couldn’t reach to the ball first. Van Persie flew in towards the cross and sent the ball over Casillas and into the back of the net.
#10 Zlatan Ibrahimovic - PSG vs Bastia
The Puskás Award nomination list would certainly be incomplete without Zlatan Ibrahimovic. A player who has scored some stunning and unique goals in his career has found his way into the nomination list deservedly for his strike against SC Bastia in October 2013.
It is difficult to give this goal a name. Was it a scorpion kick or an aerial backheel? Call it whatever you want to, but do mention the word ‘stunning’. Ibrahimovic has a history of scoring jaw dropping goals and this goal is one such goal which left everyone wondering how good a goal that was.
A cross came in from the right side and was flicked in the air by Ongenda. Ibrahimovic held off the defenders, stuck out a leg and flicked the ball behind the defender’s head past Bastia’s helpless goalkeeper. It truly was a magnificent goal.
