Subscribe to our Telegram channel for our latest stories and breaking news.
Sabah FC footballer Park Tae-su scored a breathtaking free kick from way outside the penalty box in a recent match
In a Malaysia Cup Group D match against PJ City FC on 27 September, the East Malaysian outfit were awarded a free kick some 40 yards away from the home side’s goal mouth.
The South Korean defender then squared up to the ball after a long run-up, and completely smashed it over the wall and in.
Watch the exhilarating wonder-strike below:
The PJ City goalkeeper was left completely hapless as the swerving, powerful strike clipped the underside of the crossbar before dinking into the goal.
Park’s effort was not enough to clinch a win for the Sabahans, as PJ City hit back via Darren Lok to equalise in the 80th minute, leaving both sides with a single point.
The wonder goal has attracted international praise online, even getting a shoutout by the football world governing body FIFA
In a posting on their official Twitter account, FIFA were effusive in their praise of the goal.
“Take a bow, Park Tae-su! There’s nothing like a 40-yard rocket hitting the crossbar on its way into the net. One for the Sabah FC history books,” they wrote to their some 14.5 million followers.
Image via @FIFAcom (Twitter)
Multiple other international outlets reposted the effort, with renowned fan subculture-chronicler B/R Football calling Park Tae-su’s goal a “thunderbolt of a strike”.
Image via @brfootball (Twitter)
Some of our ASEAN neighbours are watching on jealously.
Image via @sateampela (Twitter)
FIFA Puskás Award winner Mohd Faiz Subri said such goals will inspire teammates to greater heights
Mohd Faiz had previously won the award for his physics-defying goal for Penang in the 2016 Malaysian Super League season.
The accolade is handed out by the world body to honour the most beautiful goal that year, and is named after Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskás.
“All goals have their own uniqueness and qualities,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
“Each goal that is considered a wonder strike can surely have a positive impact on the team’s performance, because it will act as motivation for all the players to go on and score more goals.”