Nestory Irankunda was the unlikely hero as his sumptuous free-kick sparked Adelaide into an incredible comeback win over Newcastle Jets.
Adelaide was staring down the barrel of its first loss in five games before the 15-year-old became the second youngest player to score in the history of the Isuzu UTE A-League.
His stunning 88th minute set-piece restored parity as he curled the ball up and over the wall and out of the reach of a diving Jack Duncan.
Hiroshi Ibusuki then headed home the winner from close range in the 92nd minute for his second goal for the Club since his arrival.
Irankunda admitted he never anticipated his maiden goal in the league to arrive from a free-kick.
“It means a lot to me, I’m really happy with the goal,” he told Paramount+ after scoring his first goal in the competition.
“I wasn’t expecting it to come from a free-kick, but the captain and everybody gave me the ball and gave me the belief to take the free-kick and I was really happy to take it.”
The winger had only made his Reds debut against Melbourne Victory and in just his third appearance he marked it with a vital goal.
But it has been a whirlwind past couple of months for the talented player, who signed a scholarship contract with the Reds’ senior side in September last year.
“Last year I was playing under 15s and they put me on free-kicks,” he revealed.
“I just felt like I was there at the moment at my old club, taking a free-kick and I just hit the ball and it went in.”
Carl Veart’s side now switches its focus to Sydney FC as part of a double header at Coopers Stadium on Friday night.
