For the second time this season Nestory Irankunda has scored a decisive goal in emphatic fashion.
Against Newcastle Jets at the end of January he netted the equaliser, dispatching a brilliant free-kick before Hiroshi Ibusuki headed home the winner.
Against the Central Coast Mariners on Saturday, roles were reversed in the dramatic 2-1 victory.
This time it was Ibusuki who restored parity and then Irankunda bagged the winner with a ferocious stoppage time drive that arrowed into the top corner, sparking scenes of jubilation.
Speaking to Network 10 after the match, the 16-year-old, who was introduced to the action in the 84th minute, was delighted to help his team collect all three points and score his first home goal.
“I guess it’s a dream come true to score here at Coopers Stadium,” the winger said.
“I’ve dreamed about this from when I was young. I’m really happy for the Club, coaches for putting me on, scoring the winner for the team.
“That’s all I can say, we keep going from here.”
Once Lachlan Barr’s astute lay-off from Juande’s ball picked out Irankunda floating on an acute angle, the prodigious talent unleashed an unstoppable shot.
Irankunda revealed that the execution of his hit did not quite match what he is told in training, but was ecstatic to see the ball fly into the net.
“Ross (Aloisi) always tells us to hit it hard and low,” he said.
“It didn’t go hard and low and I just hit it, I guess it flew into the corner.”
Adelaide currently occupy fourth place in the Isuzu UTE A-League standings with 21 points.
