With Adelaide United’s season on the line, Ross Aloisi stepped up and delivered with a goal from long-range against South Melbourne in the semi-final of the National Soccer League 2003/04 season.
The Reds were trailing 1-0 after conceding a goal inside 12 minutes and seemingly on the brink of their inaugural campaign drawing to a close, until Aloisi equalised in the 71st minute.
It was an emphatic moment as he ran off in celebration, lifting his shirt over his head, while the 16,558 strong crowd erupted.
Richie Alagich would later convert a 105th minute penalty in extra-time as United advanced to the preliminary final.
“We were losing 1-0 and in the second-half we went out and I ended up scoring against Eugene Galekovic, who was playing for South Melbourne at the time,” Aloisi recalled.
“It wasn’t the best of shots, but I’m pretty sure it hit the ground before it hit the inside of the post and went in.
“And that’s probably the only way it was going to go in because Eugene was in goals and he was in good form that year.
“… The celebration I remember it, pulling the shirt over my head and running towards the main stand.
“And I’m pretty sure Matthew Kemp and Aurelio Vidmar were alongside me, one was yelling like I was and the other one was running.”
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