Indonesia
Goaaalll…!! Goaaalll…!!
In the last minute of final match, Obed scored a goal against Plemahan team. His goal made Saparua team won the kids soccer competition. To celebrate the goal, Obed pointed toward the sky. “Celebrating in Kaka’s style,” said his coach.
Goal celebration is a very common practice in the soccer field. It is mostly performed by the goalscorer with his teammates, the manager or coaching staff and/or the supporters. Celebrations are sometimes planned or spontaneous, often embarrassing and sometimes stupendous.
Moslem scorers prostrating to thank God. Andrei Arshavin puts a finger to his mouth, as if telling the crowd to be quiet. Raul Gonzales and Andrea Pirlo kiss their ring finger saluting to their wive. Francesco Totti sucks his thumb as a tribute to his kids. Lionel Messi draws a box with his two fingers. Miroslav Klose celebrates each goal with a salto. Want more? Julius Aghahowa celebrates with never-ending series of back-flips. However, Lomana LuaLua was banned from performing backflips by his then-club Portsmouth after injuring one of his feet during a celebration.
Superkids, there are many other weird ways to celebrate. Jürgen Klinsmann dives onto the grass with arms and legs outstretched. Brandi Chastain, a women soccer, stripped off her shirt after she converted the winning penalty in the 1999 Women’s World Cup final against China.
Robbie Keane imitates to shoot with some kind of weapon, either towards the sky or to some other virtual target. Careca and Vincenzo Montella outstretch both arms and running around mimicking an aeroplane. Mario Balotelli, After scoring a goal against Manchester United in October 2011, raised his jersey to reveal an undershirt with the words ‘Why Always Me?’.
Do you have a unique way to celebrate your goal?
TEGUH WAHYU UTOMO
PHOTOS: SPORT ILLUSTRATED
