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.
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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.
