Take another look at Charlie Davies’ opening goal against Egypt for a sec. Yes, I know there was a collision between the defenders and the keeper, but take a look at what Davies did after that to create a goal scoring opportunity.
Starting with his back to the goal and facing the corner flag, he bodies off a defender and while spinning around, cuts the ball back with his left foot and gets his shot off in the same motion while recognizing in a split second that one, the defender was closing him down so he needed to get the shot off quickly and two, the chance that El Hadary would be diving low while trying to recover at the near post was probably high, Davies scoops his shot with his right foot rather than taking another step or touch of the ball.
Just don’t think that goal is getting the respect it deserves…
The last aspect is killer – Davies places his shot off the keepers face into the goal.
His head is down the whole time, and the skill is clearly in his focus and fine left-right action. But the judges will take notice.
I’m with you; the one motion from-left-to-right-and-scoop was pretty damn impressive. It’s getting called a “scrappy” goal in a lot of places, but there was clearly some nice skill that allowed Davies to pop it off of El Hadary’s face and into the net.
I completely agree. I analyzed this goal too and had a good arguement with some people. Glad to see you think the same.
You guys cant honestly think that he, while fighting off a defender, was thinking, “the keeper is going to be diving so I’ll play it off his head.” That was 100% a scrappy goal. I would bet he didn’t even know there was another defender by the goal with his head down. I’m glad he scored the goal but it wasn’t a skillful finish by any means.
I would say the scrappiness was due to the Egyptian Players’ movements. After giving a 2nd look, Davies’ quick pap-pap move was composed. Sure, went off goalies face, but… you have to keep it bumpy.