WHEN THE UAE’S Theyab Awana hit the deck during his nation’s match against Lebanon last Sunday, the fall didn’t just earn his team a penalty, it triggered a once-in-a-lifetime moment of inspiration in the mind of the 20-year-old midfielder.
No, he wasn’t just going to take the resulting penalty, he was going to do it by utilising a technique heretofore unseen at international level:
And his reward for pushing the limits of technical innovation? A lengthy ban from the national side, by the looks of things. According to the team’s manager, Esmaeel Rashed, Awana’s actions were disrespectful.
“I think what happened is disrespectful.“We cannot accept anyone in our team who does not respect the opponent and does not respect the people who are working, or the supporters.”
Granted, the midfielder’s smug grin and bobbing Mido-esque fringe might give his face an immense punchability, but surely that’s more than offset by the value of his contribution to history?
If Awana’s unagainly swipe isn’t to your taste, here’s a video of self-regard’s Francesco Totti showing how a backheeled penalty should be taken. He even manages to strike it with a bit of pace:
