Liverpool and Rangers decided a game with a '5 seconds to score shootout' back in 1997 and it's incredible
Liverpool and Rangers once decided a game with a five second shootout challenge and it should absolutely replace the traditional penalty format.
Of course, typically in the game of football a penalty shoot-out sees every player step up from 12 yards and try and beat the opposition goalkeeper from the spot.
But back in 1997, in the ‘Euro Sixes’ six-a-side tournament, there were a very different set of rules.
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The event took place in the middle of the regular season at the Amsterdam Arena and featured Rangers, Liverpool, Ajax and AC Milan.
21,00 fans watched Milan beat Ajax 2-1 on their own patch in the final and every team reportedly received a fee of £125,000 for taking part.
Rangers and Liverpool played contested the third place play-off, which was played in four eight-minute quarters and had rolling substitutions.
Liverpool, who had been beaten in an FA Cup game against Chelsea just 24 hours, lost 7-2 in their first game against Rangers but the third place decider was a draw.
That meant that a shootout was required but it was not normal practice. The attacking player started on the halfway line and then when a buzzer sounded, they had a one-on-one opportunity with the other team's goalkeeper.
However, they had to find the net within five seconds and if the buzzer went off again, the goal did not count. The nets wore normal sized and the goalkeeper could come off his line.
Rare footage from the Amsterdam sixes played in January 1997, Liverpool 2 v 7 (SEVEN) @RangersFC . pic.twitter.com/RJBoxBj4Gv
— The Rangers Archives (@OldRangersVideo) January 25, 2022
Michael Owen, just 18 at the time, mastered it and smashed one into the top corner, while goalkeepers David James and Andy Goram struggled.
Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman and Stan Collymore also failed with their attempts.
Ally McCoist slotted in the winning strike inside five seconds to give Rangers a 4-3 victory. It made for fantastic viewing and we reckon it needs to make a comeback.
Over in the MLS back in the 1990's, those across the pond adopted the hockey-like on-on-one penalty duel and it brought plenty of entertainment before it was scrapped in 1999.
Josh Lawless