By RYAN TOLMICH
Despite failing to advance out of the World Cup’s group stages, Tim Cahill’s spectacular finish against the Netherlands is still sending shockwaves through the soccer community.
FIFA announced Wednesday that Cahill’s volley is among 10 finalists for this years Puskas Award, which is given annually to recognize the year’s the best goal. Voting for the award has officially begun and will continue through Dec. 1, when voting will then be reopened for the three finalists with the highest totals.
Cahill’s nomination comes as recognition for his over-the-shoulder volley against the Netherlands, as the Australian international smashed the ball off the crossbar and in first time with his supposedly weaker left foot.
Joining Cahill on the nominee list is former Vancouver Whitecaps forward Camilo, whose October 2013 finish against the Portland Timbers is also up for consideration.
The Puskas Award, which was given to Zlatan Ibrahimovic last season, will be presented on Jan. 12, 2015 at FIFA’s Ballon d’Or ceremony.
Check out a list of the nominees and videos of their respective goals below:
Tim Cahill – June 18, 2014, Australia v. Netherlands, 2014 FIFA World Cup (VIDEO)
Diego Costa – November 23, 2013, Atlético Madrid v. Getafe, Primera División (VIDEO)
Marco Fabian – February 15, 2014, Cruz Azul v. Puebla, 1a División 2014 Clausura (VIDEO)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – October 19, 2013, Paris St. Germain v. SC Bastia, Ligue 1 (VIDEO)
Pajtim Kasami – October 21, 2013, Crystal Palace v. Fulham, Premier League (VIDEO)
Stephanie Roche -October 20, 2013, Peamount United v. Wexford Youths, BEWNL (VIDEO)
James Rodriguez – June 28, 2014 – Colombia v. Uruguay, 2014 FIFA World Cup (VIDEO)
Camilo Sanvezzo – October 6, 2013 – Vancouver Whitecaps v. Portland Timbers, MLS (VIDEO)
Hisato Sato – March 8, 2014 – Sanfrecce Hiroshima v. Kawasaki Frontale, J.League (VIDEO)
Robin van Persie – June 13, 2014 – Spain v. Netherlands, 2014 FIFA World Cup (VIDEO)
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Which goal stood out to you? Who do you think will win the Puskas award?
Share your thoughts below.
Camilo’s goal, all around, is one of the best I’ve ever seen.
Van Persie’s goal is the one folks will remember twenty years from now. Instant meme, obscene finishing, huge stage, huge opponent, massive audience. Many of the other goals are spectacular, and all belong in the list, but in a World Cup year you reward the iconic goal of the World Cup (with apologies to Cahill and James). Its telling that no other goal on the list has any resemblance to Van Persie’s effort.
Zlat or Kasami for me. But they were all excellent.
I was surprised CR7’s karate kick goal vs Valencia wasn’t nominated.
Wow Sato’s goal is ridiculous. It appears that he mis-hits it and skies it into row Z and then the ball curves down and into the net.
Individual skills, Stephanie Roche’s goal is ridiculous too. She can’t win because Blatter won’t remember her name even if it’s printed on the card.
Stephanie Roche’s goal may be the best I’ve ever seen.
The Camilo goal probably has the best build up actually. I’d have to go with the Kasami goal because he barely breaks his stride while pulling it off.
I’m partial to bicycle kicks, so I’d go with Costa or Sanvezzo
Sanvezzo might actually win it. Kasami’s and Van Persie’s goals are quality, as well.
Some of these are nothing special.
James, Sato, Cahill are the best in my opinion.
James wins it for the stage it was executed on.
I was at the Netherlands Australia game and that volley was awesome to see live. The Australian fans in the stadium/in Brazil were some of the most fun fans to kick it with.
Would be cool if he won, personally, since I was there.
I was 20 rows behind the corner flag where James went to celebrate watching the game with a Colombian buddy. By the end of the game, the Colombians were waving goodbye to the Uruguayans with a stadium-wide chant of “Eliminados.”