Long-range header sets world record

A world record was set on a rainy night at Mitsuzawa Stadium in Yokohama when J2-League club Fagiano Okayama defeated hosts Yokohama FC by 1-0.

The 69th minute winner came in a sequence that began with an average goal-kick from Yokohama goalkeeper Kentaro Seki.

Fagiano defender Ryujiro Ueda ran up the left side just beyond the centre-line to clear with a header.

The ball flew back toward the Yokohama goal, bouncing once several metres outside of the penalty box and flying above Seki, who had clearly misjudged his placement and how fast the ball would travel on the wet grass.

“(After I cleared the ball) I was focused on getting back to my position,” said a stunned Ueda post-game. “I didn’t notice until after it had gone in.”

After the match, grounds staff measured the distance from Ueda’s position to the goal and found it to be at least 58.6 metres. The previous record of 57.3m was scored in Norway’s first division.

While Fagiano club officials were reluctant to apply for a Guinness record based on the opposing goalkeeper’s misjudgement, the J-League are expected to lodge the goal to capitalise on the publicity.