Gareth Bale lives a charmed life on the soccer field.
Not only is the Tottenham Hotspur star immensely talented, but good luck apparently sees him through those rare occasions when his ability can’t do it alone.
On Saturday, Bale borrowed a technique from another sport — karate — to score the most fortunate of his 19 Premier League goals this season.
In the ninth minute of Tottenham’s game against Wigan Athletic, Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa rolled a pass backwards to goalkeeper Joe Robles. Robles’ reaction was as nonchalant as Figueroa’s pass, which gave Bale an opportunity to pounce.
With Bale charging toward him, Robles tried to boot the ball over the Tottenham winger. But Bale unexpectedly jumped with an outstretched leg — karate-kick style —Â and met the ball with perfect timing. Robles’ clearance became a goal in the blink of an eye, giving Tottenham an early lead.
Bale’s skills have made him a leading contender to win England’s major Player of the Year awards this season. Sometimes the best players benefit from good luck, but it helps when they create it themselves.
See Bale’s karate-kick goal in the video below.
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