CANBERRA, June 25 (Xinhua) -- A kangaroo became the latest social media sensation after invading a soccer pitch just two kilometres from Parliament House in Canberra on Sunday.
The woman's premier league soccer match was stopped for almost 20 minutes as the kangaroo jumped fences, sprinted the length of the pitch and laid down in the penalty box.
Players, spectators and staff watched in amazement as the large great eastern kangaroo entered the field of play after half time in the National Premier League match between Canberra Football Club and Belconnen United Blue Devils in the Australian Capital Territory.
Now the roo's antics have made headlines around the world after the video went viral on social media.
The footage was captured on a live stream for Australian broadcaster, Bar TV Sports.
"Oh dear. We're getting close," said commentator Russ Gibbs when the kangaroo disappeared to the side of a building.
"We're obviously trying to do the best thing for the kangaroo without hurting it ... and he's out of the gate and he's gone!"
While sightings of kangaroos in Canberra are far from rare, Gibbs said it was unusual for the animal to find its way onto an enclosed oval and made it even more difficult to remove it.
After chasing the kangaroo on foot and gently rolling footballs towards it, ground staff slowly drove towards the creature in a van.
The kangaroo, which entertained supporters by pretending to play goalkeeper, is believed to have leapt onto the playing arena from the stands in the exclusive Canberra suburb of Deakin.
After several false starts, it was eventually directed away to safety for play to resume.