Sign him up http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/article/59960/ United Arab Emirates winger Thiyab Awana has become an internet hit for scoring an audacious backheeled penalty for his country in a 7-2 victory over Lebanon. But despite the convincing scoreline and the excitement around the goal, Awana has drawn criticism for the 'disrespectful' goal - including from his own coach. The hosts were already leading 6-2 when Awana tucked away the spot-kick, but coach Srecko Katanec, who had only brought Awana on three minutes before, substituted him immediately afterwards. "This penalty, I didn't like it. We must respect players from other teams. In future you don't know what football will give you back," Katanec said after the game. "He's a young guy and he knew he made a mistake immediately. I just want him to show respect, not just on the field but off it as well." A Lebanese team official saw red after a furious reaction to the penalty, but Lebanon coach Emile Rustom tried to defuse the incident afterwards. "I didn't feel it was an insult and this is my attitude," Rustom said. "This is a personal decision the player made and it has nothing to do with the way the UAE plays its football."
If he'd of missed, a bollocking would've been acceptable. This is a bit like the situation when you can either pass and your teammate score, or try yourself. If you score, no one cares, if you miss, people get angry. I think the coach was a bit harsh on the lad.
They were 7-2 up.. Some penalty takers close their eyes during the run up? I'd say back heel is a new technique he was trying...
Wasn't it 5-2 at the time in the video? Regardless, I'd be furious if one of our players acted so unprofessionally. I wouldn't have put it beyond Taraabt either.
That's true. It's probably just my juvenile humour taking over here, if this really happened in a game I'd be pretty annoyed. It's like watching people hurt themselves on you've been framed or something, it's funny watching it - when it happens to you or someone you know it's not funny.
He may have been a gooner, but I just see that as a blemish on his cv. I love him for his national heroics, not his club life.
Couldn't you have found a more respectable Dutch legend, CS? Edgar Davids or Sylvie van der Vaart, perhaps? We've got the most capped current Netherlands player in our squad and you pick a Goon...
Go with Seedorf, please. We wrecked his dream of a 5th(!) Champions League last season and he talked a lot of sense when he was commentating on the BBC at the World Cup. He's never played for the Goons or Manyoo, either! Plus, he doesn't look like a horse.
If I add Gio in a Arsenal shirt I could understand, but he's in my national team's kit. It's like someone having Gallas as a picture, and you saying he used to play for Arsenal. My love for Gio is purely international.
