MX23RW : Friday, December 13 13:12:36| >> :600:350940436:350940436:

On this day: Japanese defender scores header from own half

Two years ago today, Japanese defender Ryujiro Ueda finds the back of the net with a header from his own half.

Down the years, we have seen the likes of David Beckham and Xabi Alonso find the back of the opposition's net from their own halves.

In extreme cases, even goalkeepers have scored with a long, hopeful punt up the pitch that has caught their opposite number out. However, these are goals that have been scored with the boot.

Two years ago today, Japanese defender Ryujiro Ueda also scored from inside his Fagiano Okayama team's half. Nothing strange there you may think, but he did in fact achieve that feat with his head, not his feet!

With 68 minutes of the Japan Division Two match between hosts Yokohama FC and Fagiano Okayama played, home goalkeeper Kentaro Seki took what was a routine goal kick.

The ball crossed the halfway line, where it was met by visiting defender Ueda, who appeared to have no other intention than making a clearance.

As the ball bounced, though, it caught out Seki, who had been standing towards the edge of his penalty area. He retreated quickly, but it wasn't enough to prevent the goal, meaning that Ueda had scored a header from 58 metres out.

Amazingly, there is some contention as to whether Ueda's effort is a world record for a headed goal because a month earlier Jone Samuelsen did this while playing for Odd Greenland.

ID:114518: cacheID:114518:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2599:
Written by
Liam Apicella
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Champions League Group B football match Real Madrid CF vs Juventus on October 23, 2013
Read Next:
Preview: Real Madrid vs. Sevilla
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Rams
@
49ers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!