Online vote to decide if Stephanie Roche tops Ibrahimovic and van Persie in Fifa poll

13 Nov 2014

Republic of Ireland’s Stephanie Roche has been shortlisted for the Puskas award, given out to the scorer of Fifa’s best goal of the year.

The only woman represented on the shortlist – indeed the first female ever to gain such an acknowledgement – Roche’s stunning strike was scored for Peamount United last season, going viral almost instantly.

Fifa’s own upload of Roche’s goal onto YouTube has already garnered over 200,000 views. The winner will be decided by a worldwide internet poll with votes being cast on fifa.com, so get voting people!

The three goals with the most votes will be short-listed and a new poll will commence with the winner of the Puskás Award being revealed alongside the Ballon d’Or in January.

“I am absolutely delighted to have been nominated for FIFA’s best goal of the year,” said Roche.

“Obviously, it was a big surprise but it is a great boost, not only for myself, but for women’s football and particularly the Women’s National League. It’s a great feeling to see myself on the list,” said Roche, who now plays in France for ASPTT Albi.

Along with the announcement, Fifa gave a citation of Roche’s effort. “When the ball came towards Peamount United forward Steph Roche against Wexford Youths, she had her back to goal, yet three touches later, it was in the back of the net. With her first she controlled it masterfully, before producing a dink over her marker’s head, spinning and unleashing a magnificent volley.”

Of course Roche isn’t the first from this island to make the shortlist, with Matty Burrows somehow not winning the 2010 edition of the awards with his ridiculous goal for Glentoran. With Burrows finishing third overall, lets hope Roche goes one or two better.

Football image via Shutterstock

Gordon Hunt was a journalist with Silicon Republic

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