A Japanese football team’s unusual free kick routine involving them doing the “ring-a-ring-o’-roses” dance has gone viral online.
The football team from Takagawa Gakuen High School in Hofu, Japan took on the set piece with a brand new approach that has delighted football fans.
In a clip posted online, five members of the attacking team can be seen holding hands going around in a circle on the edge of the penalty box while they await the free kick to come in from the right.
Seconds before the free kick is taken, they break apart and make their individual runs inside the box to confuse the opposition’s defenders.
In the history of unorthodox free-kick routines, Ring-a-Ring o Roses is a new one. Bravo, Takagawa Gakuen High School. pic.twitter.com/sQPkqYtPAC
— Dave Phillips (@lovefutebol) December 29, 2021
The set-piece routine, though unusual, was successful as one of the players headed it in from the 6-yard box.
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Sports enthusiast and businessman Dave Phillips reposted the clip on Twitter, writing: “In the history of unorthodox free-kick routines, Ring-a-Ring o Roses is a new one.
“Bravo, Takagawa Gakuen High School.”
The clip has been viewed almost 2 million times and many have praised the novel technique.
One person said: “Dayum. Creative, cheeky, effective. Love it!”
Dayum. Creative, cheeky, effective.
— Vijay.R.B (@TheBaronVj) December 29, 2021
Love it! 😂 https://t.co/1ZLFyMvrKD
Another Twitter user commented: “It makes a whole lot of sense.”
It makes a whole lot of sense https://t.co/j5Q9LaDrVJ
— Matt - Tactically Everton (@TacticallyEv) December 29, 2021
Someone else joked: “Pep Guardiola could never.”
Pep Guardiola could never https://t.co/knW8HjnR1r
— Hangman Fufa (@madhusudhanFufa) December 29, 2021
One person also described it as “instantly iconic” and others hope we’ll be seeing it in the Premier League soon.
Instantly iconic https://t.co/EOLayu5PTo
— Charlotte (@charlvtte) December 29, 2021
😂😂😂😂 nah I love this, someone bring this to the prem for bants https://t.co/NwB702xrtY
— N ⚡ (@ZNXM_) December 29, 2021
If whoever gets promoted next year doesn't do this first game, send them straight back down https://t.co/PyPjz2OCUO
— extremely positive energy (@DoYouEvenMikel) December 29, 2021
Here’s hoping some Premier League coaches are taking notes.
