A rare record has emerged in Japanese soccer. Not one, but two goalkeepers scored in a single day.

'Gekisaka' reported on the 16th (Korean time) that "a rare event occurred in the Emperor's Cup third round, with two goalkeepers scoring!! Riku Hirosue (Reinmeer Aomori) scored in two consecutive matches, and Takeshi Ota (Kyoto Sanga) netted the equalizer with a late volley."

The Emperor's Cup Japan Football Association (JFA) All Japan Football Championship is a tournament similar to the FA Cup in Japan. It is a knockout tournament in which professional clubs from J League 1 and J League 2, as well as lower league and amateur clubs, all participate, settling matches in a single elimination format.

The 105th Emperor's Cup third round took place on the 16th. A total of 30 teams competed to determine the 15 teams advancing to the fourth round. Most of the top-tier clubs in J League, including Vissel Kobe, Kashima Antlers, and Sanfrecce Hiroshima, secured victories. However, in keeping with the single-elimination format, an upset occurred as Kawasaki Frontale was eliminated by third division SC Sagamihara after a penalty shootout.

After the match, the most attention was on the scoring efforts of the two goalkeepers. Aomori's goalkeeper Hirosue stepped up as the penalty kick taker in the 29th minute of the first half when trailing 0-1, and he struck the ball into the bottom right corner to equalize at 1-1.

Thus, Hirosue achieved consecutive scores, having also scored a penalty in the second match of the tournament, marking five consecutive official match goals. However, the team was eliminated after losing 1-2 to Yokohama Marinos.

An even more dramatic scene unfolded in the match between Kyoto Sanga and Yokohama FC. The two teams remained locked at 1-1 at the end of regulation time, leading to extra time, where Yokohama pulled ahead 3-1. Kyoto managed to narrow the gap with a goal just three minutes into the second half.

With the game nearing its end, in the 14th minute of extra time, Kyoto's goalkeeper Ota made his move. Participating in a corner kick, he connected with a dropped pass from a teammate, unleashing a right-footed direct volley for a last-minute equalizer. Additionally, Ota saved two opponent shots in the penalty shootout, leading his team to a 4-3 victory and earning hero status.

Gekisaka noted, "It was an unprecedented day with goalkeepers scoring in two matches." Japanese fans commented, "Ota is a god! I am moved by his blossoming talent and amazing performance," "Hirosue is taking penalty kicks because he is trusted," and "A direct volley that responded to a late surge just before the end of extra time... Can you believe he is a goalkeeper? Is this practice?"

Ota, who scored an incredible goal, couldn't hide his astonishment. After registering a score typical of an attacker, he said, "I wasn't sure if the goal went in or not. But hearing the cheers from the fans made me excited, like 'Ah, it went in.'"

Ota displayed a crucial save during the penalty shootout. He mentioned, "The coach said to me that considering the life you've lived so far, you must block it. Hearing that gave me confidence. I was able to approach it with the mindset that I absolutely had to save it."

[Photo] Reinmeer Aomori, Kyoto Sanga social media.

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