Peruvian Flores Joins Seaman, Shilton and Others in Goalkeeping Hall of Infamy

There really is no hiding place for a goalkeeper. No matter what they do, their role will be scrutinised more closely than any other, simply for the fact that the keeper operates a lone role.

Brilliance is rewarded with plaudits as the greats of the game such as Gordon Banks and Lev Yashin enjoyed during their careers and beyond. 

Most recently, the passing of former Manchester City No. 1 Bert Trautmann was greeted with sadness by everyone who remembered and admired the German goalkeeper.

But then, there are those other moments in the life of a goalkeeper. Those inexplicable errors when a split second can decimate a career.

We have all seen them, but fortunately, the majority of us will never have to experience it.

Has Rob Green been the same player since allowing the United States to equalise during England's opening World Cup game in South Africa in 2010?

Are you old enough to remember how former Leeds United goalkeeper Gary Sprake mixed brilliance and disaster throughout his career?

Even Arsenal legend David Seaman was subject to a humbling when he was lobbed from distance by former Tottenham man Nayim as Real Zaragoza defeated the Gunners in the 1995 European Cup Winners' Cup final.

England legend Peter Shilton was also guilty of a resounding mistake during the third-place playoff against hosts Italy in the 1990 World Cup finals.

Now, though, the pantheon of goalkeeping howlers has a new leading member after a Peruvian league match between Sporting Cristal and Union Comercio.

Union goalkeeper Juan Flores received a headed backpass from a teammate and proceeded to dribble the ball across his own penalty area.

A Sporting striker began to bear down on Flores, but the keeper was still in control of the situation. One swipe of the ball and it would be passed to a teammate and the danger would be cleared.

But not when you are Flores. The Union keeper completely mis-kicked and allowed his opponent to dispossess him and score.

However, this is not the first time Flores has been at the centre of goalkeeping controversy in 2013.

The 37-year-old collapsed while holding the ball during a match against Cesar Vallejo. A Union teammate attempted to clear the free ball and ended up striking a Vallejo player with the rebound ending up in the net.

It would be fair to say the year 2013 has not been the luckiest for Flores.

Do you have a favourite goalkeeping howler? Let us know in the comments below.