When Praneel Mukherjee kicked the ball from the halfway line, it bounced upward and reached its goal into the net, leaving him and everyone around in a state of initial shock followed by awe. After all, the 14-year old had just enacted what in the world of football is a rare feat. The ultimate goal.

Playing for the Murdoch University and Melville Football Club U15 team against Joondalup Football Club during a Division 1 League game, Praneel observed the goalkeeper, throughout the first half, had been intercepting most of the penetrating through balls by standing at the edge of the 18-yard box. Thus, he made an attempt at a long-range shot in the first half which sailed wide.

In the second half, he intercepted the ball at the halfway line and taking a few steps towards the opposition goal, he let fly a long-range shot from 45 yards out. The ball sailed half the field over the retreating goalkeeper to drop into the top left-hand corner of the goal.

It sparked frenzy. Teammates broke out in applause and opponents placed their hands on their heads. Not only was the shot tremendous, but the audacity and confidence by this 14-year old to even try such a long-range shot grabbed everyone’s attention.

“It is possibly one of the best goals scored at that age group on a full-sized football pitch,” says Ash, a proud father.

Praneel’s moment of greatness as a footballer at the Murdoch University Synthetic Sporting Fields that afternoon in Perth is what every sportsman worth his salt would remember for life. By his own telling, “It’s pretty much like a once in a lifetime thing. And you can’t practice stuff like that, it’s what happens in a game. To be honest, we were all just shocked and we were all confused as to how the ball went in.” (Courtesy: The Sun Melbourne)