Diego
Costa, Robin van Persie, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Irishwoman Stephanie Roche
have all been nominated for FIFA’s goal of the year award.
Chelsea star Costa’s nomination – one of 10 for the Puskas Prize for the
2013-14 season - is a brilliant overhead kick he scored for his previous
club Atletico Madrid against Getafe in November last year.
Manchester United striker Van Persie’s stunning diving header for the
Netherlands in the 5-1 demolition of Spain at the World Cup is a contender.
There is just one goal from the Premier League in the list – Pajtim Kasam’s
wonderful volley for Fulham against Crystal Palace last October.
The stand-out name in the list however is Roche, who is nominated for
brilliant juggle and strike for Peamount United against Wexford Youths in
the Irish Women’s Championship.
Superstars James Rodriguez and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are also nominated.
Paris Saint-Germain striker Ibrahimovic, won the award in 2013 for his
spectacular long-range goal against England in a friendly, and the Swede is
back in the running this year thanks to his back-heeled volley against
Bastia in a French league game.
Rodriguez joined Real Madrid from Monaco in the summer, which was thanks in
part to his stunning control and volleyed goal for Colombia against Uruguay
in the World Cup which was voted goal of the tournament.
Tim Cahill's volley for Australia, in a 3-2 World Cup defeat against the
Netherlands, also makes the list.
The vote will be an online poll with the winning goal and top three to be
announced on January 12 at the ceremony for the Ballon d'Or.
Top 10 goals:
Tim Cahill: Australia v Netherlands, World Cup (June, 2014)
Diego Costa: A Madrid v Getafe, La Liga (Nov 2013)
Marco Fabian: Cruz Azul v Puebla, Mexican Championship (Feb 2014)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Paris SG v Bastia, Ligue 1 (Oct 2013)
Pajtim Kasami: Crystal Palace v Fulham, Premier League (Oct 2013)
Stephanie Roche: Peamount United v Wexford Youths, Irish Women's
Championship (Oct 2013)
James Rodriguez: Colombia v Uruguay, World Cup (June 2014)
Camilo Sanvezzo: Vancouver v Portland, MLS (Oct 2013)
Hisato Sato: Sanfrecce Hiroshima v Kawasaki Frontale, J-League (Mar 2014)
Robin van Persie: Spain v Netherlands, World Cup (June 2014)
Former winners:
2013: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
2012: Miroslav Stoch
2011: Neymar
2010: Hamit Altintop
2009: Cristiano Ronaldo
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