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Rodriguez beats Irish female footballer Roche to bag FIFA goal of the year award

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ANI London
Last Updated : Jan 13 2015 | 11:15 AM IST

Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez beat Irish female footballer Stephanie Roche to win the FIFA goal of the year award for his World Cup strike against Uruguay.

Netherlands striker Robin van Persie came third for his diving header against Spain in the World.

Roche, who scored a stunner for Peamount against Wexford in the Irish top flight, had earned a unique distinction of being the only woman to have been shortlisted for FIFA's goal of the year and hoped to be the first female winner of the Puskas Award, the BBC reported.

Roche, who plays for French division 1 Feminine club ASPTT Albi, landed 33 percent of the public vote to Rodriguez's 42 percent of the 3.3 million votes cast.

The Irishwoman tweeted afterwards that she was very proud to receive 1.1million votes, and congratulated Rodriguez for winning the award. She further added that it was a fantastic experience and thanked everyone across the world for their support.

Rodriguez, who was then at Monaco and joined Real Madrid after being the top scorer in World Cup, was nominated for his control and volley from 25 yards in the last-16 tie.

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Roche's spectacular effort in the Bus Eireann Women's National League, that was in front of an estimated 95 people on 13 October 2013, got her nominated for the honour.

Roche received the ball with her back to goal, took a touch on her right foot, flicked the ball over a defender's head with her left foot and then swiveled and volleyed home from outside the box, the report added.

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First Published: Jan 13 2015 | 11:03 AM IST

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