“Deserves got nothing to do with” – Will Munny, ‘Unforgiven’ (1992)
Stephanie Roche goes up against two of world football’s superstars - James Rodriguez and Robin van Persie - as the winner of the Puskas Award is announced in Zurich this evening.
“There’s no way she deserves it,” Ivan Yates said on Newstalk’s Breakfast this morning.
Dubliner Roche is on a three-person shortlist for FIFA’s goal of the year courtesy of her wonderstrike against Wexford Youths for Peamount United.
“Even Andy Carroll can score against Wexford Youths,” added Ivan. “It’s a great goal but she was playing for Peamount United. Give me a break.”
Does Ivan have a point?
Yes and no. Because the importance of the match is only one component to be considered. There are four criteria – other than when the goal is scored – that the Puskas Award is supposedly to be decided by.
So let’s see how Newstalk.com’s analysis work out:
No 1: It should be a beautiful goal (subjective — the spread of goals should include long-range shots, team goals, overhead kicks, individual plays, etc.).
ROCHE: Stephanie’s goal was more spectacular and intricate than beautiful, but it was a lovely goal to look at all the same - 9
RODRIGUEZ: We’d argue this was the most difficult execution, but the least aesthetically pleasing - 8.5
VAN PERSIE: In theory the flying Dutchman’s effort was the easiest, but the long floated pass coupled with the diving header and looping trajectory of the finish makes it the most beautiful to look at - 9.5
No 2: The importance of the match should be taken into account (objective — limited to "A" international teams, confederation championships and national top-division club matches: the more important the goal, the better).
ROCHE: For sure Stephanie’s game fits the criteria, but a league match against Wexford Youths? Be it in La Liga or the Irish Women’s National League, this is a poor relation to the World Cup - 7
RODRIGUEZ: It doesn’t get much more important than the knockout stages of the World Cup, and this was the last-16 against Uruguay - 9
VAN PERSIE: The Dutchman’s header was a vital equaliser in their World Cup opener against Spain. Not do-or-die, but critical enough and beats a run-of-the-mill league match - 8.5
No 3: The goal should not be the result of luck, mistakes or a deflection by a teammate or the other team.
ROCHE: No qualms here: Stephanie was being marked, and the keeper’s position didn’t seem too shoddy - 8.5
RODRIGUEZ: Top of the pile - the Columbian was surrounded by four men and had a keeper, who could see his intentions, to beat – 9.5
VAN PERSIE: Spain keeper Iker Casillas was in a horrible run of form approaching this game and his hesitancy and positioning left a lot to be desired - 7
No 4: The goal should support fair play, i.e. the player should not have behaved badly in the game or have been charged with doping, for example.
ROCHE: No misdemeanours that we know of! – 10
RODRIGUEZ: The record shows a clean slate for James, which says something considering he was up against Uruguay defenders, and he doubled his haul in the second half as Columbia progressed – 10
VAN PERSIE: Van Persie was booked for a late foul on Pedro – 7
So our final totals look like this:
ROCHE: 34.5
RODRIGUEZ: 37
VAN PERSIE: 32
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But will the result be the same in Zurich? The latest Sky Bet odds would indicate the same:
James Rodriguez 4/7, Stephanie Roche 2/1, Robin Van Persie 11/2
Well it's here!! The final countdown everyone ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ voting is still open http://t.co/rQRrsNb4XR now to get the gúna on!💃 pic.twitter.com/O4VPENhmIo
— Stephanie Roche (@StephanieRoche9) January 12, 2015
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