Faiz’s stunning goal viewed over two million times

KUALA LUMPUR: The sublime strike by Mohd Faiz Subri, one of three goals vying for the Puskas Award 2016, has been viewed by 2.16 million Internet users.

A video recording of the physics-defying goal which was uploaded on YouTube by FIFATV on Nov 21 has mesmerised football fans from all over the world.

Speaking to Bernama, Mohd Faiz said he hoped for continued support from local football fans as a win would make him the first player from Asia to win the prestigious award.

The other two contenders for the Puskas Award are Jonathan Marlon Azevedo da Silva of Brazil and Danisuka Rodriguez of Venezuela, the only woman to make the final list.

The goal by Jonathan Marlon drew 1.36 million viewers while the goal by Danisuka drew 1.06 million viewers.

The viewership was up to noon yesterday.

Mohd Faiz, the Kedah-born player who played for Penang, said all three contenders have an equal chance of winning the award for most beautiful goal.

“Whoever receives the highest number of votes will win,” said the diminutive midfielder, whose wonder goal sent Pahang packing in a Super League match in February.

Malaysian fans can vote for Mohd Faiz’s goal through the FIFA official website – www.fifa.com.

The winner will be announced at the FIFA Football Awards ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland, on Jan 9.

The Puskas Award was named after legendary Hungarian striker Ferenc Puskas, who won three European Cups with Spanish giants Real Madrid from 1959 to 1966.

Since its introduction in 2009, the award has been won by world famous football stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar and James Rodriguez. — Bernama