Canadian Premier League soccer player William Akio has produced one of the viral moments of the year that is as hilarious as it is baffling.
Akio somehow denied his own team a certain goal in the clash between Valor FC and HFX Wanderers.
Watch the hilarious moment in the video above
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Alessandro Riggi of Valor FC had just gotten a good cross into the penalty area from New Zealander Moses Dyer and pushed the ball past a defender and the goalkeeper, who both fell to the ground.
With the keeper helpless on the ground, the ball raced towards a certain goal to break the 0-0 deadlock in the 18th minute, until Akio rushed to the side and pushed the ball away.
Since the ball was only inches away from breaking through the white paint, Akio’s kick had to send the ball back to prevent it from passing – which he did easily.
The ball was picked up on the line and out for a throw-in as the confusion erupted.
The Valor FC players claimed the ball had already crossed the line before Akio intervened, the Wanderers players were completely stunned and the referee had to piece together the pieces of what had just happened.
Commentators were left in shock.
“Did Akio just delete that from the line himself?” one said.
“What in the World!?”
Trying to process the bizarre moment, commentators thought perhaps Akio was trying to secure a goal that was already beyond some.
“Ricci had that goal and Akio was trying to make sure he crossed the goal line,” they said.
“I don’t think I’ve seen this before.
“(It was) clearly going in, Willy (Akio) is getting there and, yeah, he’s keeping it himself.”
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Akio was lambasted by his teammates who were understandably furious over his cerebral blackout, and the winger was subsequently substituted.
The striker was spared a few sleepless nights as Dyer finally netted an 84th-minute winner.
Twitter erupted in laughter and confusion after the viral moment.
Chelsea set to sign Raheem Sterling
Elsewhere in a more recognized league, Chelsea have reportedly reached a deal with English Premier League champions Manchester City to sign England striker Raheem Sterling for £47.5m (A$83.3m).
Sterling is set to sign a contract until 2027 with the option of a further year, UK media report.
He will become Chelsea’s first major signing under new ownership led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.
Sterling, 27, played 47 games in all competitions for City last season, scoring 17 times and providing nine assists.
After starting his senior career with Liverpool, Sterling moved to City in July 2015 and established himself as a regular on their front line, scoring 131 times in 337 games for Pep Guardiola’s side.
He won the League title and League Cup four times each as well as an FA Cup during his time at the Etihad Stadium.
Sterling, however, fell down the pecking order last season, playing only a limited role in City’s run to the league title and Champions League semi-final, with Guardiola often preferring Phil Foden or Jack Grealish on the left.
He was not in the line-up for either leg of last season’s Champions League semi-final loss to Real Madrid and has started just six of City’s last 11 league games .
Capped 77 times by England, Sterling will add much-needed firepower to Chelsea’s attack after struggling in front of goal last season and Romelu Lukaku’s departure to Inter Milan.
Thomas Tuchel’s side finished third last season, 19 points behind champions City. They kick off the new season with a trip to Everton on August 6.
