Sometimes football fit surprise even the players wey dey play am. On November 2, 2013, for Britannia Stadium, Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begović do something wey turn football world upside down — he score goal straight from him own half.
The match na Stoke City vs Southampton, and wetin happen that day still remain one of the strangest goals for Premier League history.
How The Goal Take Happen
Just 13 seconds after kickoff, the ball find Begović for him own penalty area. He clear the ball forward like normal keeper wey wan release pressure.
But that day, strong wind dey blow across the pitch, and the wind carry the ball far more than anybody expect. The ball bounce once in front of Southampton goalkeeper, Artur Boruc, lift small, and go straight inside net.
For a few seconds, everybody quiet, both players, fans, and even Begović himself. The referee point to the centre circle, confirming say the goal count. From goalkeeper leg to goalpost, from defence to history, everything happen inside few seconds.
The Reaction For Pitch
Artur Boruc, the Southampton keeper, no fit believe wetin just happen. Begović raise hand small, almost as apology, because even he know say the goal no be ordinary. The Stoke fans burst into cheers, and the stadium come alive. Na one of those goals wey you fit watch ten times and still shake head.
The Match Result
Despite that unbelievable opener, the match later end 1-1. Jay Rodríguez score for Southampton later in the first half to balance the game. But after final whistle, nobody talk about Rodríguez, na Begović everybody dey discuss. A goalkeeper don score from him own half, and the world no go forget am in a hurry.
Guinness World Record Follow
After the match, Guinness World Records confirm say the goal travel around 91.9 metres, that make am the longest goal ever scored for a competitive football match. From that day, Begović name enter football history books as the goalkeeper wey score from distance.
The Lesson From The Goal
That goal remind football lovers say anything fit happen for this game. You fit start the day just to defend your post, but end am as goalscorer. Football get drama wey nobody fit predict, and that day for Stoke prove am again.