Southampton FC defender, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Etoile-c39036 Carouge could become a lucky charm for the Saints this coming season.
The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Netherlands-c753 International deflected the ball inside his own goal during the first half from a Marco Delley cross, as the Saints went into the halftime break trailing by one goal, during their pre-season friendly fixture against the Swiss side.
However, the blooper from the defender did not prove costly in the end, as the Premier League outfit simply walked over their opponents in the second half, firing four goals to claim a comfortable 4-1 win.
Luke Shaw levelled things up for Southampton nine minutes from the restart, before Billy Sharp got his pre-season preparation off to a perfect start by netting a second half hat-trick.
Instead of being downbeat after conceding an own goal, Hooiveld hoped that his error could prove to be a lucky charm for his side. He explained that the last time he scored an own goal, his team went on to have a remarkable season.
While talking to reporters, he said: “It's actually a http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Good-Luck-c39444 charm because the last time I scored [an OG] in pre-season we went on to have a great season. So... fingers crossed!”
The 29-year old also believed that the defenders tend to become villains after scoring an own goal, and insisted that there was nothing much that he could do from the Delley cross, as it came to him at a fast pace and was at an awkward height.
When asked to comment on the entire game, the centre back admitted that his side got off to a slow start, but felt that they could have bagged a couple of goals during the first half.
He also revealed that they found it difficult at first to adjust themselves to the sweltering heat of Geneva. However, he thought that the match proved to be a perfect preparatory exercise for his team.
“The circumstances were not ideal: there was no water on the pitch, the grass was a little bit high and it was about 35º out there - it was un-English weather!”
The Premier League newcomers will kick-start their 2012/13 campaign against title holders, Manchester City on the 19th of August at the Etihad Stadium.
Tags: