ROGER Sansom scored a golden goal when he applied for a new bank card in Petersfield.

For although he was refused the new card, his application won him the prize of a lifetime which will see him heading for Japan to see the most eagerly-anticipated football match of the year. In addition he will be getting five-star treatment at a top Japanese hotel and all his expenses paid.

The win is a real change of luck for Roger, from Bordon, who is still recovering from a serious back injury resulting from an accident.

His fortunes began to change when he fancied a keyring that he noticed at his adviserÕs desk in the Petersfield branch of Barclays Bank.

He applied for the Barclaycard that went with it, without realising that he could be in with a chance of winning coveted tickets for EnglandÕs World Cup grudge match against Argentina in Japan.

When he received the letter saying he had won two nightsÕ accommodation and two tickets for the big match he was as surprised as anyone, as he did not realise that he had entered the draw, especially as he had been turned down for the card itself.

It is not the first time Roger has had a lucky surprise. He has also won just over £3,000 with two lucky dip Lottery tickets.

But recently his luck has been out as a motorcycle crash left him with a broken back.

Still recovering from the accident, the news of a luxury trip to Japan has been welcome.

ÒI like travelling, but IÕve never been that far away, IÕve never been on a plane and IÕve never been to a football match,Ó said Mr Sansom (36) of Ashmead Road, Bordon, who is a door fabricator at Total Profiles.

ÒThis is a once-in-a-lifetime chance and what a match to go to. This is the first football match I will ever have been to and it is in Japan and itÕs the World Cup.Ó

Though he has been offered £1,500 each for the tickets he has promised to take his workmate David Stanley (46), who is a youth football coach. Mr Sansom has not been moved by the World Cup hype and is more a fan of motor racing, though he does reckon England are in with a chance of winning the match, if not the tournament.

Mr Sansom heads out on June 5 from Heathrow to Sapporo, north Japan, where he and his workmate will enjoy two nightsÕ all-inclusive accommodation.

Customer banker Maria Straw, who encouraged Mr Sansom to apply for the card, said she was Òreally pleased for him.Ó