Media Monster

Your Amazing Back-Heeled Goal Of The Day (Video)

In our ongoing search for the best of the soccer world, it’s not often that our travels take us to Northern Ireland (this visit brings the grand total to one).

But in the unlikeliest of fashions, a Wednesday night match between a Carling Premiership game between Glentoran and Portadown has provided the end-of-week viral video sensation.

The match between league leading Glentoran and second-bottom Portadown looked headed to a dour conclusion in stoppage time when the Glens mounted an attack that was finished by Matty Burrows in stunning fashion.

Glentoran sent in a cross from the left wing that eluded the Ports’ defenders and found Burrows near the top of the 18-yard box. Burrows, the team’s second leading scorer, got to the ball first and delicately flicked a volley with his back to goal that lofted over the helpless Portadown ’keeper.

The video exploded on the Internet literally overnight, with nearly 1.4 million hits on YouTube bed by the team’s euphoric Twitter feed.

A lot of the hype from the English Premier League last weekend centered on Didier Drogba’s devilishly clever back-heel past a befuddled Arsenal defense for the game-winner late in the first half. But Burrows’ goal makes Drogba’s look downright routine.

Burrows’ salvo came with the game on the line, a high degree of difficulty, required a clinical finish that had to be perfect, and, with all do respect to the Ivorian, he’s got a cool name to scream at a soccer match. All-in-all, it makes Drogba’s effort look like just another goal by that talented kid in your rec league.

Photo via Off The Post

Be dazzled by my whimsical volleys on Twitter @sportsdoctormd