Fabian chips his way into Puskás race

It was Matchday 7 of Mexico’s Torneo Clausura and Puebla needed to hold out just 19 more seconds to earn a valuable point away to unbeaten table-toppers Cruz Azul. Yet in that instant, Alejandro Castro took possession in midfield and sent a lofted ball to the edge of the Puebla penalty area in one last attempt at breaking the deadlock,according to FIFA.com.

As if in slow motion, the ball went soared into the air and forced Marco Fabian to bring it down with tremendous technique. With his back to goal, the Cruz Azul forward took the least obvious option, stepping outside instead of driving towards the box. His marker fooled for a moment, this member of Mexico’s 2012 Olympics-winning squad won a yard of space.

Perhaps sensing what would happen next, the home fans rose to their feet, but Fabian opted for the unexpected once again. Instead of giving in to anxiety and blasting a powerful shot towards goal, he kept his cool to produce an exquisite chip which beat Jorge Villalpando and nestled into the far corner of the Puebla net.

“I’m very happy. I never imagined I would compete for this award,” he said about his nomination for the Puskás Award. “I want to enjoy this great moment. It’s another accomplishment in my career and I hope it serves as motivation to achieve great things.”

Check out Marco Fabian’s goal and the other nine candidates for the FIFA Puskás Award at FIFA.com and on FIFA’s YouTube channel, and vote for your favourite. FIFA.com will continue to present the remaining goals shortlisted, in strict alphabetical order, over the coming days.

The three with the most votes by 1 December 2014 will advance to the final vote, the winner of which will lift the prestigious trophy at the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala on 12 January 2015.

M.D