He claimed the Hyundai A-League’s Goal of the Week but Andrew Nabbout’s stunning strike against Wanderers has now received global recognition, courtesy of ESPN.
Nabbout netted Newcastle Jets’ second goal in his side’s 2-2 draw with Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium on Friday night.
After combining neatly with Dimi Petratos, Nabbout unleashed an incredible strike with the outside of his foot into the top corner, leaving Vedran Janjetovic with no chance.
And the sensational goal was picked up by popular football program ESPN FC, with the TV show featuring it as its Goal of the Week.
Goal of the season contender?
Andrew Nabbout takes out the Goal of the Week.
Catch every goal from this weekend's Hyundai A-League in the link below.https://t.co/1ck9WHdRQ9 pic.twitter.com/uT9ra2BnL2
— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) February 20, 2018
The 25-year-old was told of the honour by one of the Jets’ coaching staff and admitted it was a thrill to be shown alongside some of the world’s top footballers.
“It’s a real honour! I didn’t know it was voted goal of the week around the whole world but the keeper coach Chris Bowling showed me the video that ESPN posted which was a really proud moment,” Nabbout told reporters on Wednesday.
“It’s not every day that you get to compete with players like Cavani and those sorts of players around the world. So to be up there with the best of them is a really big honour for me, and hopefully I can do that more often.
“I believe in my ability that I can do that more often and I just have to trust in that ability and continue to try those things.”
The ex-Victory winger has been one of Newcastle’s best this season having contributed nine goals and seven assists for Ernie Merrick’s second-placed side.
Along with teammate Dimi Petratos, Nabbout has been mentioned as a possible bolter for the Caltex Socceroos squad for next month’s friendlies against Colombia and Norway.
And with new coach Bert van Marwijk eyeing fresh talent ahead of June’s World Cup, Nabbout admitted the opportunity is there for players in the A-League to force their way into calculations.
“It gives everyone a little bit of hope. I said in previous weeks that he’s got a blank sheet of paper and he’s got names to put on it, exactly the way Arnie said it,” Nabbout said.
“It gives everyone a chance to get in the shop, get in the spotlight. It’s up to players now to show form and consistency and try things that are special to show the coach something in order for him to pick them.
“There’s a lot of players around the world, there’s a lot of players in the A-League in the shop window. You have to do things to stand out and do your job consistently every week.”
