It turns out there was a bit more to say about the outstanding goal from Australia’s Awer Mabil at the Asian Cup, thanks to his celebration.
Mabil held his hand over his mouth and two fingers in front of his forehead after scoring the left-footed rip, and said his idea is to help spread the word that it’s okay to talk about mental health issues.
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The two fingers represent peace to the mind, while Mabil says the covering of the mouth is a plea to speak freely. From the BBC:“The reason [people] go quiet is mainly because they don’t know what the reaction is going to be from the mainstream society,” he said.
“A lot of people worry about what others think but I honestly think you should not be afraid of what others think. Those people who are afraid to open up, this is for them, for them to open up and make them feel this is okay.”
Mabil, 23, plays for Danish power Midtjylland, where has five goals and nine assists this season.
The BBC notes that Mabil was born at a Kenyan refugee camp before moving to Australia as a child as part of a resettlement program.