On this day: Japanese defender scores header from 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.