In a bizarre turn of events, Genki Haraguchi of Hannover 96 was denied a sure goal on an open net due to stacked-up snow.
We have all seen players missing open goals. While almost all the time, the players mishit their shot, a strange incident took place during the game between Hannover 96 and Bayer Leverkusen.
Genki Haraguchi led a counter-attack for Hannover 96 and beat the defenders and the goalkeeper to have a clear shot on the goal.
However, the heavy snow on the ground slowed the pace of the ball, allowing the defender to clear the ball merely inches before it could cross the goal line.
Ooof! A huge heartbreak.
Snow denies open goal:
The heavy snow on the ground extraordinarily denied Genki Haraguchi from scoring the goal.
It did hurt Haraguchi and Hannover 96 in the end, as Bayer Leverkusen clinched a late 3-2 win in the game.
Kai Havertz scored the goal in the 87th minute of the game to secure a win for the visitors, after Kevin Volland scored a brace.
Here’s the video:
Hannover’s Genki Haraguchi thought he’d scored against Leverkusen…
…until the snow denied him 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/BPo9mzlbUA
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) March 11, 2019
Bayer Leverkusen are fifth in the Bundesliga table, but remain four points behind the fourth-placed Borussia Monchengladbach.
Hannover, however, are facing relegation after the side lost its 17th league game of the season. The club has 14 points from 25 games and is five points behind the 16th placed Vfb Stuttgart.
The title race has also grown interesting after a series of disappointing performances has pushed Dortmund down to second place in the table.
Bayern Munich are at the top of the league but remain ahead of their arch-rivals only on goal difference.
What next?
You’d be absolutely fuming.
Hannover’s Genki Haraguchi rounds the ‘keeper to shoot towards an empty goal….
Sound on for this one: the crowd didn’t know how to react!#OptusSport #Bundesliga pic.twitter.com/9twDesSmuq
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) March 11, 2019
Hannover Players Shot Cleared Off The Line After Snow Slows Down The Ball – https://t.co/1RcU1mceKc
Genki Haraguchi must have been absolutely furious after the snow slowed down his shot and the ball was cleared off the line.
Yes, that actually happened. With Hannover traili…
— TopSportsTime (@TopSportsTime) March 10, 2019
Hannover’s Genki Haraguchi was denied an almost certain goal in their 3-2 defeat against Bayer Leverkusen when the ball got stuck in the snow before it crossed the line 🤦♂️
Watch here 🎥 https://t.co/tseCnQ5gZe pic.twitter.com/X4dnDjQQDy
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) March 11, 2019
Hannover’s Genki Haraguchi broke through the Leverkusen defence, went round the keeper and calmly passed the ball towards an empty net.
The ball was then stopped on the line… by the snow. pic.twitter.com/lihIHkER4N
— bet365 (@bet365) March 10, 2019
As much as I hate football that Hannover ball not crossing the goal line because of the snow has made my day 😂😂😂😂😂 if all football was played in thick snow I think I’d be a fan 😂 #H96B04
— lauren sharp (@xlaurensharp) March 10, 2019
What next?
Bayer Leverkusen will now take on Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga.
