Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Top save

The most outstanding goalkeeping save of the weekend's football must go to Mak Theara (pictured above), the AEU keeper, playing against Phnom Penh Crown. At the start of the 2nd half a cross was met by Leng Makara six yards out and his header look destined for the net, until Theara produced a 'Gordon Banks' moment to miraculously scoop the ball over the bar. Banks was voted the second best goalkeeper of the 20th century and his save from Pele in the 1970 World Cup was described as the greatest save in the history of the game. Theara's save from Makara wasn't far behind.
It was in 2010 when Theara was playing for NagaCorp that he perfected his scorpion-kick, where he would bring his feet behind his head and plant them in the chest of the attacker, a remarkably agile move by the keeper, but also incredibly dangerous for the forward on the receiving end. Back then the referees allowed him to get away with it. We'll have to wait and see if he tries to replicate that move this season.

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