Stephanie Roche nominated alongside Ibrahimovic and van Persie for FIFA award
Republic of Ireland Women’s team striker Stephanie Roche has been shortlisted alongside some of the biggest names in world football for the FIFA Goal of the Year award.
Roche, the only women on the list, was shortlisted for the Puskás Award for her strike whilst playing for Peamount United against Wexford Youths Women's AFC on October 20, 2013.
A video clip of the goal quickly became viral, attracting the admiration of celebrities and sportspeople alike, clocking over 2.5 million views on YouTube.
The winner will be decided by a worldwide internet poll with votes being cast on fifa.com and francefootball.fr.
On December 1, the three goals with the most votes will be short-listed and a new poll will commence with the winner being revealed on the day of the FIFA Ballon d’Or on January 12, 2015.
Voting will close during the show.
Roche told fai.ie that she is honoured to have been shortlisted.
“I am absolutely delighted to have been nominated for FIFA’s best goal of the year,” said Roche, who now plays in France for ASPTT Albi.
“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.”
Tim Cahill – June 18, 2014, Australia v. Netherlands, 2014 FIFA World Cup
Diego Costa – November 23, 2013, Atlético Madrid v. Getafe, Primera División (Spain)
Marco Fabian – February 15, 2014, Cruz Azul v. Puebla, 1a División 2014 Clausura (Mexico)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – October 19, 2013, Paris St. Germain v. SC Bastia, Ligue 1 (France)
Pajtim Kasami – October 21, 2013, Crystal Palace v. Fulham, Premier League (England)
Stephanie Roche - October 20, 2013, Peamount United v. Wexford Youths, BEWNL (Rep.Ireland)
James Rodriguez – June 28, 2014 – Colombia v. Uruguay, 2014 FIFA World Cup
Camilo Sanvezzo – October 6, 2013 – Vancouver Whitecaps v. Portland Timbers, MLS (USA/Canada)
Hisato Sato – March 8, 2014 – Sanfrecce Hiroshima v. Kawasaki Frontale, J.League (Japan)
Robin van Persie – June 13, 2014 – Spain v. Netherlands, 2014 FIFA World Cup
