In the 2013 W-League grand final, Sydney FC’s Sam Kerr scored a goal that every striker in the world dreams of. Her celebration wasn’t half bad either.
Let’s talk about the goal, running on to a ball and driving full length onto it. It’s like a volley only with the head.
The reverse somersault scissor-kick Pele showed in the 1966 World Cup still ranks as arguably the one that brings the crowd to its feet the most. The bend-it-like-Beckham is up there as well.
But Kerr’s goal had a bit of everything: running at a ball, timing the run and the dive, the control of the body in mid-air, the placement of the ball, the vision to see the chance, the decision to make it a header rather go for foot, leg or chest, control of the ball and hope for a soft touch.
Then go for goal!
The technical ability and timing of the diving header to an incoming ball, when for a large part of the dive the player would be unsighted, is up there with the best of technical skills. We must remember there is only a nanosecond to make the decision and then the skill to make it work.
Love the thoughts of other Roarers on how good this goal was and where you would rate the flying header volley into goal in the goals you would die for on your CV.
Midfielder
Guest
I agree ... the technical skill level and awareness of shape and playing out from the back was very impressive...
Midfielder
Guest
Rey Cough Cough ... only by a girl ... I assume its a stir .... But be of no doubt any striker in the world would put a diving header gaol in their top 3 to 5 goals scored... Its hard enough to time a run onto a pass with your body or legs or foot... but if you go for safety i.e. body or leg/ foot then you can change your direction and speed move sideways etc... but with a diving header you cannot change ... to get the timing right, get speed on the ball, direction and angle pass a keeper is skill of the highest level... and she did this looking into the sun which just adds to how good it was ...
stanofheart
Guest
I watched this game it was good.it put some of the aleauge games to shame this season
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
@ Reynoldsinski /TC/TheCattery Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If you don't rate Sam Kerr's goal, or Kyah Simon's cross, you must be a very skilled athlete ... so, how about you give an example of something that you think is terrific sporting execution. I realise it won't be football-related, since you don't seem to watch any games.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Patronising shmatronising, I would have given much for one of those players to have been taking a couple of the shots Glory players missed against Brisbane.
Reynoldsinski
Guest
Wrong again Fussball. I've got nothing to do with any other name on this site. Just a bloke whose opinion is not swayed by hyperbole. You're being patronising by overrating the goal.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
1) Having seen just two nights ago Nick Ward miss an empty net right in front of me from inside the box, I do not take any goals for granted. 2) Shane Smeltz, prolific goal-scorer that he is, last year misdirected a similar diving header from a similar range that would have given Glory a late come from behind short-handed victory against Melbourne Victory, so even a marquee can stuff those up. 3) The cross wasn't "decent" it was "precise".
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
The Cattery is back again! Your writing style gives you away every time. And I notice that, on the AFL Forum, you call yourself TW. Why do you have so many usernames on The Roar?
Reynoldsinski
Guest
I'm impressed by the goal, but only because it was scored by a girl. I'd expect any semi-professional player to score that. If not, I would think that they should have done better. Unless the keeper pulled of an incredible save I suppose. When you look at it, there was no defensive pressure on her. The same with the cross. If she can't put in a decent cross in that circumstance, then it would be an ordinary effort. Full marks for the somersault though.
jamesb
Guest
Thanks Midfielder We do need to recognise the W-League and its players. Not only was it a terrific goal, but the cross was an excellant one as well. The W-Leagues going well. We should be proud of our girls.
Cpaaa
Guest
Im just happy that Sydney FC have managed to win some silverware this year. Thanks Girls, honour is saved.
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
Whoops sorry don't know what happened there heres Viduka'shttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tynkM6HLZ44
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
Heres the big man floating though the airhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haGdTfVmwdU
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
The diving header is a beautiful thing to behold,when a cross is perfectly met with a players noggin and sent rocketing into the back of the net.Heres a few of my faves from two local legends,harry at 1:32 and the duke.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haGdTfVmwdUhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haGdTfVmwdU
Midfielder
Guest
Fuss Ya the skill from both players was huge and those who have never played maybe have no idea how great a goal that was... Reminds me of a time a few years back I was at Byron and their was a cyclone of QLD and the waves coming into the beach were 4 to 5 meters high .... and Byron has a sweep running down it normally you would not believe... in Surfing terms Byron is one of the best beaches in Australia .. normally gets lots of good surfers there ... on this day anyone who had a name was there... I went to the shore and was gobbed smacked and on one of the few times in my life said ... Man this is way to big and way to dangerous ... many were like me and we watched in awe at those out their .... saw at least 50 broken boards that day... Anyway two things happen about the same time ... first a bus load of Man U fans from England arrived and stopped and came in their Man U shirts and were watching the waves... then I guess about a 14 yo kid comes down with his board... me other surfers and the Man U fans watched this kid climb down the rocks time his entry into the sea perfectly then handle the waves crashing in on the rocks and get pass the breaking waves coming in... he then caught this huge wave and as it got near shore did a back spin off the wave and paddled out again ... we that is me and other surfers felt like cheering and clapping this kid ... then one of the Man U guys says .. tis easy all Aussies can do that if you were born here you could do it... and maybe 1 in 10, 000 could...
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Middy that was an absolutely stunning goal by Kerr. Whilst other allegedly tough, body-contact sports protect any contact with a player's head, in football, players show no fear in throwing their head at the ball - regardless of any potential contact with an opponent's or team-mate's head, fists, knees or feet. Only people, who've played competitive football, will understand the courage & technique that is required to execute what Samantha Kerr did. Also, let's not forget the inch-perfect pass from Kyah Simon. To deliver a ball 30-40 metres, so that its trajectory is perfectly aligned to meet a player, who is sprinting towards goal, requires technical proficiency of the highest calibre & split-second creative vision ... it's a thing of pure beauty.
Ian
Guest
the w-league is quite enjoyable to watch. as a roar fan there has been more to cheer about with the w-league this year considering they won the premiership again. fantastic goal by the way.
Andrew
Roar Rookie
Sydney FC's team had an average age of just 19. Things are looking good for women's football in Australia in the coming decade.
Bondy
Guest
I have to add this little gem have a look at this Mid, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tiG7wSjA1A).
Midfielder
Guest
I watched the game and tho by heavens these girls are playing with great shape and the touch on the ball, running off the ball was of a very high quality...