Fenerbahçe ace Stoch to contend for goal of the year

ISTANBUL

AEL Limassol's midfielder Monteiro (L) challenges Fenerbahce's forward Miroslav Stoch. AFP Photo

Fenerbahçe’s Slovakian winger Miroslav Stoch made it to the finals of the Ferenc Puskas Award, which is awarded for the best goal of the year.

Stoch will be up against Brazilian star Neymar and Atletico Madrid marksman Radamel Falcao in the final as world football’s governing body, FIFA, announced the finalists today.

The Slovakian’s scorcher against Gençlerbirliği during a Spor Toto Super League match was placed in the top three, after FIFA had earlier announced a shortlist of the top 10 goals, which also included his Fenerbahçe teammate Moussa Sow’s goal against Galatasaray. After an online voting, three goals made it to the final.

Meanwhile, Stoch did not participate in his team’s 1-0 Ziraat Turkish Cup win over Pendikspor on Nov. 28.

Fenerbahçe used a goal by Sezer Öztürk to beat its minnow opponent, against whom it suffered the biggest shock in the cup’s history in 1999. Pendikspor had previously beaten Fenerbahçe 2-1 in 1999.

In another cup game on Nov. 29, Beşiktaş had a late goal from Batuhan Karadeniz to overcome Ankaragücü 3-2.