Here’s How You Can Watch The FIFA World Cup 2018 in Singapore

Every four years, die-hard football fans and casual by-standers unite for a month to celebrate the global festival that is the FIFA World Cup.

Whether you prefer to watch it at home or out at a bar, there are plenty of options to make sure you never miss an action this June and July.

What makes this year’s tournament all the more enticing is its favourable match timings for Singapore audiences, with the earliest matches taking place at 8pm and the latest at 3am.

TV Subscription

The first option of catching the tournament is to subscribe to the broadcast. Unlike previous years, this year’s subscription prices have remained the same from 2014.

Instead of competing for the sole rights, Singapore’s three main broadcasters Singtel, StarHub and Mediacorp are collaborating for the first time to bring the action here.

That means subscribers can choose to purchase the packages from either of the three broadcasters for the exact same price – S$94.16 from now until May 22, and S$112.35 thereafter.

Moreover, the three broadcasters are offering on-the-go streaming options from their own mobile apps – Singtel TV GO, StarHub Go and Toggle. Singtel and StarHub mobile users will be able to stream matches without any data charge on their respective apps.

Singtel TV subscribers who sign up or renew their Trio, Variety or Value Pack packages for 24 months will also be able to watch the World Cup for FREE.

Do note that your subscription will only allow you to watch the matches on the platform which you subscribed to.

Sign up: Discover SG.

One Man’s View: The Excess at the Etihad

If you missed Part 1 of this two-part series, you can read it here.

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Manchester City look poised to do the business in the Premier League and Europe this time round. There is palpable excitement that Guardiola will finally get the blue carousel up and operational.  Our focus however, must now turn towards how City have managed to burn through £217million without breaking a sweat. The expansive (pun intended) use of the deep Etihad coffers has blown transfer valuations out of the water, and carries real downstream implications for the Premier League.

While spending across English clubs has increased with the influx of TV money, City has consistently gone above and beyond that. Their transformation from perennial strugglers to the top tier of European football was funded by Abu Dhabi’s seemingly infinite petro-dollars. Money may be no object, but there is a decadence that cannot be sustained for any football club.

[caption id="attachment_6754" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Image: Manchester City Facebook[/caption]

This summer offered a good case in point when City sought new personnel to man the flanks. Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna, Aleksandr Kolarov and Gael Clichy were swiftly shown the door. Upgrades were needed, but it was bold to dispense with all four without having signed any replacements. It probably made it easier for opposing negotiators to jack up transfer fees. City, after all, had no leg to stand on during negotiations.

In a manner as shocking as Donald Trump’s Twitter feed, City then dropped £130million on Kyle Walker, Danilo and Benjamin Mendy. It was an act akin to fishing with dynamite. Spending northwards of £50million each on Walker and Mendy was exorbitant. The fact that Walker is now the most expensive English defender in history is somewhat humorous, if this were only a dark comedy and City were paying in monopoly money. Kolarov, on the other hand, departed to Roma for a lowly sum of £4.5million.

[caption id="attachment_6755" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Image: Manchester City Facebook[/caption]

Patience will be given to goalkeeper Ederson, who has great potential as a future No. 1. At £35million however, he is not cheap. Everton may have paid £30million for Jordan Pickford, but he will be first choice. Ederson, on the other hand, may not be the undisputed No. 1 ahead of Claudio Bravo. Arguably, City could have shelved out more, quite expectedly, for a more experienced keeper. As a comparison, Wojnech Szczesny, a first-choice at Roma on loan from Arsenal, went to Juventus for only £10million.

Bernardo Silva’s case is a little different, since City forked out heavily in an area that arguably did not require strengthening. One does not simply pay £43million for a player that may not start. We will have to wait and see how City fit him into an attacking front four of Raheem Sterling, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Leroy Sane. Sterling has been deemed the most expendable, but he has one attribute that Bernardo does not, the type of searing pace to complement the existing passers in the team.

[caption id="attachment_6756" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Image: Manchester City Facebook[/caption]

Having seen City spend serious cash in previous windows, there will be some concern that they continue to buy high and sell low. It is too early to predict whether the latest purchases will decide the title race, but many of the lavish buys in recent years have a mixed track record. City could also do with more experience and know how in defence and midfield. Nicholas Otamendi and John Stones may have cost over £80million together, but have been unconvincing. Both may yet perform better, but it is glaring that City may enter the season with only three centre-backs, provided Vincent Kompany stays fit. It is madness that forgotten 42 million man Eliaquim Mangala will likely fill in as Mendy’s deputy at left-back.  In midfield, City could do with an anchoring presence for their attack to flourish. Neither Yaya Touré or Fernandinho quite fit the Guardiola mould, with Fernando also expected to depart.

With two weeks to go till the season begins, it is staggering to realise that City may still need to spend more than £217million to complete their squad before the curtains open for the season. The owners at the Etihad have consistently shown their willingness to throw the financial kitchen sink at recruitment, but this surely cannot be sustainable in the long run. If City somehow fails to meet their objectives this year, it will create more pressure to rebuild or strengthen significantly in the next window. It is downright scary to think that this is a slippery slope that there is no coming back from.

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One Man’s View interprets the happenings in football from an alternative angle. Alternative, not alternative facts. 

If you like what you’ve read, check out Hadrian’s website at 

One Man’s View: A City of Two Halves

The summer transfer window keeps on giving. This week, we do a double feature on Manchester City, who have been incredibly busy in rebuilding their squad for next season. The owners over at the Etihad are clearly committed to Pep Guardiola’s vision, and are willing to spend lavishly to make their mark. Our focus is first on how these new additions may improve the team and their chances for silverware. Our second part will assess how City’s transfer spending may have serious ramifications and shape spending patterns in the Big Six, and the Premier League, for years to come.

City’s objectives

It was always clear that City was going to strengthen during the summer. After all, their shortcomings were seriously exposed last year. The anticipated Guardiola revolution did not quite come to fruition last season. While City’s pass and move football bewildered teams across the division, they were often undone by a fragile defence that was susceptible on the counter.  With money no object, City have thrown themselves wholeheartedly into paying big fees for players suited to Guardiola’s high press style. In summary, faster players in defensive positions would be able to recover the ball quicker. In attack, interchangeability and fluidity across the forward line would put most defences on the back foot.

[caption id="attachment_6693" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Image: Manchester City Facebook[/caption]

Blue Moon Rising

One would say that the recruitment at the Etihad has been promising, and rather bold, in equal measure.  The purchases of Kyle Walker, Danilo and Benjamin Mendy offers plenty of potential with serious pace and incision in the wing back positions. Goalkeeper Ederson is a case of investing in the future, a No. 1 for years to come. Bernardo Silva is perhaps their most exciting acquisition, given his ability to create chances and drift across the forward line.

[caption id="attachment_6695" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Image: Manchester City Facebook[/caption]

With one season with Guardiola under their belts, you would expect City to improve upon last year. The class of David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne’s form should carry over, while Gabriel Jesus and Ilkay Gundogan will look to build on promising first seasons, which were both cut short prematurely by injury. Exciting prospects such as Brahim Diaz, Phil Foden and Patrick Roberts offer interesting options off the bench, and a level of squad depth beyond many other teams in the Big Six, and the division. Encouraging wins against Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur could be a sign of things to come.  There is a real optimism at City, with a team capable of dismantling the reigning European champions always a good sign, even if this is still pre-season. We also cannot discount the possibility that City will add to the squad in the next month.

[caption id="attachment_6696" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Image: Manchester City Facebook[/caption]

Predicting City’s chances at home and abroad

Predictions have a tendency to bite commentators in the ass. Regardless, by Guardiola’s standards, last season was a blip as City finished a distant third. City never really came out of the blocks, and they must win a trophy under Pep this year. City are title favourites, and it would not be unusual to see a Manchester stand-off at the very top. The Manchester derbies should take on more significance this year, with both teams looking for more than a Champions League place.  In Europe, progress in the Champions League knock-out stages will be dependent on a mixture of luck, form and injuries – a lottery no less – but City should still expect a run to the semi-finals at the very minimum.

[caption id="attachment_6694" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Image: Manchester City Facebook[/caption]

Look out for Part Two on Thursday, August 3.

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One Man’s View interprets the happenings in football from an alternative angle. Alternative, not alternative facts. 

If you like what you’ve read, check out Hadrian’s website at 

One Man’s View: Spurs must move decisively this summer

Summer may offer a welcome respite from the rough and tumble of the Premier League, but the off-season can have a crucial impact on fortunes next term. The summer transfer window, which opened on 1 July and will shut again late on 31 August, is filled to the brim of rich promise – meeting the expectations of respective club managers and fans is another matter entirely! Our question this week – can Tottenham win the league next year if they buy right? Is that even possible in an inflated market, where English teams fork out exorbitant sums at home, or in Europe?

My conversation with Spurs fans often came with a sense of cautious optimism. There was general agreement that Spurs Chairman Daniel Levy is a tough negotiator, and deals will likely be confirmed right at the end of the window. A bigger underlying issue, however, may come in terms of club finances. The redevelopment of White Hart Lane may constraint resources the same way it did for Arsene Wenger post-Highbury. Historically, Spurs are not traditional competitors to the other Big Six clubs. Club Chairman Daniel Levy has kept a stringent wage structure, ensuring that the club does not overspend. Sound financial management has meshed well with manager Mauricio Pochettino, who has looked to bring through a stable of talented young players while not paying over the odds for prospective talents.

[caption id="attachment_6023" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Image: Tottenham Hotspur Facebook[/caption]

It may not have quite worked out with Moussa Sissoko, but such is the difficulty of finding a dynamic midfielder that can offer consistent performances week-in week-out. Spare a thought for the fact that N’Golo Kanté only cost 2 million pounds more on paper – a relative snip of last summer’s window at 32 mil. The jury is still out on Vincent Janssen, but like Son Heung-Min before him, he deserves another season to settle.

Notwithstanding past failures, Spurs’ ambitions for next season must shed the natural tendency to be conservative in the transfer market. Spurs need pace, penetration and power. Any combination of two, let alone three, would command a premium price in the EPL. The focus should be on players that can immediately challenge for a first-team place and can offer a viable plan B off the bench if necessary – a sprinkle of stardust on top of a talented squad. That being said, Tottenham have been very quiet this window so far. Is there more to come perhaps?

[caption id="attachment_6021" align="alignnone" width="960"] Image: Tottenham Hotspur Facebook[/caption]

It is a surprise to not see Spurs go after players like Douglas Costa, who may offer more unpredictability and thrust than Erik Lamela. While Juventus would likely sign Costa even if Spurs were to make an 11th hour intervention, this would better signal their intentions. A flying winger would give Spurs an added dimension to the attacking axis of Kane-Alli-Eriksen. With Kyle Walker’s departure looking imminent, there is a need to inject more pace into the team, where possible. Kieran Trippier may have a better delivery than Walker, but the latter’s energy and speed will be sorely missed in its ability to cover gaps at the back, as well as to break quickly further up the pitch.

It is Spurs’ current predicament that does not particularly explain the pursuit of Everton’s Ross Barkley, given his preference for a central attacking berth. Would it even be possible to play a Eriksen-Allison-Barkley combination behind Kane? Unless Barkley is converted to a deeper-lying midfield replacement for Moussa Dembele or Eric Dier, it is unclear if Barkley offers the substance to really strengthen Spurs. If anything, the recent links to Real Madrid’s Mateo Kovacic should indicate that there are better options if one was looking at the deeper midfield roles.

[caption id="attachment_6019" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Image: Tottenham Hotspur Facebook[/caption]

We should expect more players to be linked with Tottenham as the summer progresses. While it is still early days – there really is quite a while to go until 31 August – Spurs cannot afford to rest on their laurels. They have to move big this summer to keep up with the rest of the Big Six, who will all look to strengthen significantly over the next two months. That said, with Chairman Levy’s deep aversion towards concluding any deals before end-August, we can probably expect a premium rush at the end of the window, with little inclination of how Spurs will fare at home or on the road next term.

One Man’s View interprets the happenings in football from an alternative angle. Alternative, not alternative facts. 

If you like what you’ve read, check out Hadrian’s website at 

adidas Officially Launches Its Nemeziz Football Boot, Drops in Singapore on June 1

Update: An press release indicated that the release was on May 26. We have been informed that the drop date is June 1.

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adidas Football has officially unveiled its Nemeziz product line, a new football silo alongside the Ace and X range, for football players who favour agility above all else.

[caption id="attachment_5052" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Image: adidas[/caption]

The boot will be worn by Lionel Messi, Renato Sanches, Jesse Lingard and Roberto Firmino.

Inspired by the process of taping, the boot is optimised for stability and agility for the game’s most fluid players.

[caption id="attachment_5054" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Image: adidas[/caption]

Several design features have been introduced to ensure peak performance in these areas. The unique AGILITYBANDAGE features revolutionary TORSIONTAPES technology to keep the foot locked down and deliver ultimate fit, whilst a dual-lock collar secures the ankle in place to enable explosive change of direction.

The TORSIONFRAME outsole features an ultra-lightweight construction and TORSIONRIBS to provide dynamic push off support; a key feature for agile movement. The new AGILITYKNIT 2.0 interlocking yarn structure provides a soft direct touch and a lightweight adaptable feel.

[caption id="attachment_5055" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Image: adidas[/caption]

The boot will come in versions for field, cage and street, to provide players with the same level of agility across settings.

Launching officially on June 1, the boot will come in a black and white colourway, and will be available from adidas SG’s

ICC Singapore Tickets To Go On Sale On March 30

Tickets for the International Champions Cup in Singapore will go on sale on Thursday, March 30.

European heavyweights Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan will be heading to the Lion City this July at the Singapore Sports Hub for the illustrious pre-season tournament.

Tickets start from S$40 for adults and S$25 for children in the Cat 4 section. For better viewing, there are also tickets at S$82 (Cat 3), S$138 (Cat 2) and S$188 (Cat 1).

Interested parties can purchase the tickets from 10am (Singapore time) on March 30 from Sports Hub’s securing the rights to hold the tournament for the next four years.

The Singapore leg of the tournament will be held between July 25 and 29, with all three teams facing off each other.

Fixtures
25 July (Tue): Chelsea vs Bayern
27 July (Thu): Bayern vs Inter
29 July (Sat): Chelsea vs Inter

Chelsea, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich To Play In Singapore This July

Update [Mar 16, 2.45pm]: The ICC have officially announced the ticket prices, fixtures and more. Read here.

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Premier League leaders Chelsea are poised to make their first appearance in Singapore this July during the International Champions Cup, a series of pre-season tournaments that take place simultaneously across the globe.

According to

 

Based on reports, the official announcement will be made next week, but the deals for Chelsea, Inter and Bayern have already been agreed upon.

The matches are expected to take place in the later part of July, with Bayern speculated to face off Chelsea and Inter on July 25 and 27 respectively.

The ICC is growing to become the premier pre-season tournament for football fans, who have close to no footballing action during the three months of off-season.

Last year’s tournament spanned across 19 cities in seven countries and had top clubs including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.

More information on the official announcement, exact dates and the release of tickets to come.

Sign This Petition If You Want To Save Whatever’s Left of Singapore’s Sports Culture

On the surface, Singapore’s sports culture seems fine. Joseph Schooling’s astounding victory at Rio showed the nation that success can come in more ways than one, and certainly beyond the traditional careers of law, medicine or engineering. Very few things can bring a nation together to watch a Singaporean on the world stage with the Singapore flag lifted above all others at the Olympic Games. That’s the true beauty of sports.

And yet, in less than a year, all is forgotten.

If you’re unaware of recent bizarre events, the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) acted upon a petition signed by five people to ban the usage of two full-sized football pitches on weekends and after 7pm on weekdays, due to noise. This noise apparently disrupted kids from studying.

These pitches are part of the Home United Youth Football Academy, which is one of, if not the best youth academy in the region, costing in excess of S$1 million to build.

The decision to ban the pitches has been met with great opposition from many sides, all of whom are concern at the trajectory that the country’s sports culture is taking. This is especially evident in this petition on change.org, which at time of writing has garnered 726 supporters – 721 more than those who requested for the ban in the first place.

Banning the facilities usage on weekends and after 7pm on weekends renders it completely useless, not just for members of the public who are allowed to rent the space for casual matches, but for the youth and the future of Singapore’s football.

With growing concern regarding Singapore’s sports culture, this move by SLA to act upon the petition of FIVE proves just how sports will never ever be taken seriously in this country. Add this to the fact that Singapore’s first and only Olympic gold medallist trained in the United States, with fellow swimmer Quah Zheng Wen opting to do the same.

Whether it’s conservative mindsets or a complete irrational distaste for sports, it is utterly selfish for one to seek the ban of a facility for their own child while compromising another kid’s future in the sport.

Summed up perfectly in the headline of Neil Humphrey’s the petition won’t save Singapore’s sports culture on its own, it is a vital first step for sports to be taken seriously for once beyond the gold and glitter on the Olympic stage.

When The Saints Go Marching In – Keeping Tabs on Southampton

With the shock of Leicester City being crowned as Champions finally subsiding, the 2016/7 Premier League season has returned to a sense of normalcy.  The conversation is again about the “big six” of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man United, Man City and Tottenham, where qualification for an exalted Champions League place is the minimum.  None of this should be too surprising, as success on the field is key to maintaining each club’s brand and status as one of the top clubs in Europe, and the world.

General interest in the mid-table sides has also dimmed, without teams like Leicester and West Ham punching above their weight.  The incredible achievements of last season, where an ensemble cast of Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and Dmitri Payet wreaked havoc upon all Premier League defences, have given way to the winds of winter – despite Leicester’s fine 4-2 over Manchester City on Saturday, which seemed more of an anomaly than a return to form.  Challenging the status quo will have to take a backseat with the fear of being sucked into a relegation battle becoming very real.  Even so, we should not neglect mid-table sides that play good football, and have the potential to challenge for the European places.

More than just a Feeder Club

One such side is Southampton.  The Saints are accustomed to having the heart of their sides ripped out in successive summers.  Mainstays including Sadio Mané, Adam Lallana, Nathaniel Clyne, Dejan Lovren, Luke Shaw, Morgan Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama all left for bigger clubs in the Premier League after a fruitful time on the south coast.  Last season’s chief goal threat Graziano Pelle also faded into obscurity when he elected to join Chinese club Shandong Luneng, but he will be richly remunerated for his troubles.  Departures remain an institutional problem for the Saints, with famed academy products Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, all heading down the well-trodden path years before.  Ronald Koeman’s departure, just like Mauricio Pochettino before him, demonstrated that their managers too were not immune to the charms of a bigger club, and sparked fears of another difficult season ahead.

Against this backdrop, Southampton has performed above expectations halfway into the season.  Claude Puel’s appointment as manager six months ago was greeted to little fanfare. Coincidentally or otherwise, his tenure at Olympique Lyonnais coincided with the end of their dominance of the French Ligue 1. Not only have his tactics and bold team selections paid off, but put paid to any suggestion of the Saints becoming relegation fodder post-Koeman. A number of strong displays have demonstrated that the Saints have the defence to shut out games, and the attack to win them. On reflection, this should not be too surprising given the current quality in the Saints’ ranks.

From The Back

Fraser Forster, quite literally, is a massive presence as the last line of defence.  His clanger against Crystal Palace aside, the big Geordie has good shot-stopping ability that has rescued the Saints a few times this season. Virgil van Dijk and José Fonte form a solid platform for an outfit designed to play out from the back.  With good centre-halfs in short supply across the League, it comes as no surprise that both have been linked with much bigger clubs in January, and beyond.  On the flanks, first team regulars Cedric Soares and Ryan Bertrand offer defensive resilience and diligent attacking outlets on each side.

Midfield Maestros

Oriol Romeu never established himself at either Barcelona or Chelsea, but he has done a sterling job at the base of Southampton’s midfield.  Romeu may lack a little pace against the very best, but his bite in the tackle and ability to recycle possession helps to keep things ticking over.  His midfield partner Steve Davis fulfills the role of terrier-in-chief, bustling around the park in search of the ball, and looking for opportunities to turn defence into attack.  Pierre-Emile Hojberg, Jordy Clasie and James Ward-Prowse may all prove to be useful across the season, each providing a different set of options from the centre of the park.

Forward Options

Further forward, Dusan Tadic is capable of opening up teams from the flank, offering vision and a cute left foot to boot.  Nathan Redmond has real potential, with pace to burn, and a willingness to put shots on goal.  England too will hope that his development will surpass speed merchants such as Aaron Lennon, whose final ball was never decisive enough.  The supporting cast offer good alternatives, with tricky winger Sofiane Boufal offering glimpses of his potential to draw in multiple defenders and Shane Long always likely to put in a shift for the team.  Jay Rodriguez, once a prospective England fixture, is still finding his feet after an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury over two and a half years ago.  Between Tadic’s playmaking abilities and Redmond’s ability to drive at pace against top flight defenders, the Saints have the right man to put the ball in the back of the net.  Charlie Austin is a real threat in the final third and a true poacher in every sense.  It goes without saying that consistent goal scorers are highly valued right across the league.

The Kids

A mention should also go to Southampton’s academy, which has continued to offer a pathway for young players into the first-team.  Ironically, this was also one of the purported reasons for Koeman’s departure – a belief that academy riches were drying up.  Nevertheless, Sam McQueen seems to be a real find at left-back.  The youngster had to fill in for injuries at left-back to Bertrand and second-choice Matt Targett.  A number of strong performances this season, including away at Man City, were indicative of his promise.  McQueen has the speed and physicality to deal with pacey forwards, as well as the courage to play the ball out of defence.  Another new name that has cropped up is Josh Sims, a winger blessed with good technique and sharp movement.  Sims ran Everton ragged to a Man of the Match performance on a winning debut.  Promising displays from their youngsters indicate that while the Saints may not be producing the next Bale, they have some options within their own ranks that can step up during a hectic Premier League season.

Prospective Investment

It seems that the team’s potential has not gone entirely unnoticed.  The Saints have been linked with Chinese firm, Lander Sports Development, who are looking to build a successful brand.  If a takeover is successful, St Mary’s may offer a better platform than either Aston Villa or Wolves, Championship sides that may fulfill their potential in the long run, but are currently struggling towards the lower half of the English Football League (EFL) Championship.  It seems that the respective Chinese consortiums led by Dr Tony Xia and the Fosun Group underestimated how grueling and taxing a 44 game competition, which does not include potential play-off fixtures, really is.

Good Luck Dear Saints

The second half of the season may yet offer up more surprises.  Crystal Palace, with Yohan Cabaye, Yannick Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha in their ranks, were also deemed potential European challengers last season, before seeing their form fall off a cliff after Christmas.  We can only hope Southampton are able to carry their promise into the second half of the season, and challenge for the European places.  The reward may simply be that decent performances will only confirm another exodus in the summer.

That Goal From Malaysia’s Faiz Subri Beats Messi and Neymar, Makes It To Round 2 For Goal of the Year

Remember when it was announced that Faiz Subri’s goal against Pahang was nominated for the FIFA Puskas Award for goal of the year?

Following the first round of votes, that Top 10 goal shortlist is now a Top 3 and Faiz Subri’s goal made the cut.

Not only did it make it to the second round of voting, it also beat goals from Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr., both of which were nominated for the award.

Alongside Subri, the other two nominees that made the cut were Corinthian’s Marlone and Venezuela’s Daniuska Rodriguez.

Marlone scored an acrobatic scissors kick after setting himself up from a cross, while Rodriguez scored for her country against Colombia after a brilliant dribble within her opponent’s penalty box.

To remind you of Subri’s goal, here’s a clip.

The FIFA Puskas Award was set up back in 2009 to recognise the player with the “most beautiful” goal of the year, regardless of gender, nation or league. The 2016 award considers goals that took place between 30 September 2015 to 30 September 2016.

The second round of voting ends on January 9 next year, with the winner announced two days after. Vote