Adelaide United academy graduate Ryan White revelled in his “dream” goal against Isuzu UTE A-League champions Melbourne City.
Despite being down to 10 men, the Reds were leading the reigning champions 2-1 when White entered the fray in the 64th minute on Friday night.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE
Brought on in place of goalscorer Luka Jovanovic, White was tasked with bringing energy and work rate to the side but ultimately produced a moment of magic which helped put the result to bed in front of a raucous Coopers Stadium crowd.
Winning the ball back high up the pitch, White weaved his way beyond several City challenges before burying his shot into the bottom corner of Patrick Beach’s goal to make it 3-1 to the home side.
MATCH REPORT: Academy graduates demolish reigning Champs as Reds record win for the ages
“Ahh it’s unbelievable,” said White, when speaking to Paramount+ after the full-time whistle.
“It’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of as a young footballer and I’m glad it wasn’t like a tap-in or anything like that – it was a decent goal!”
He added: “A big game with 10 man. Very happy. I won that ball back, and I just thought, I’m going to go at this guy. I’m going to try to win a pen, try to get a shot on target and I guess that’s what I did.”
Long heralded as another gem to have been produced by the Adelaide United academy, White has featured in all three games for the Reds this season having played 17 times in the Isuzu UTE A-League last campaign.
TEAM NEWS: Ins & Outs Round 5: Victory star ‘touch and go’ for Big Blue, Socceroos back from US tour
“That’s just what you work for,” he said. “Like I said before, it’s everything I’ve dreamed of, that goal, I didn’t see it go in actually, there was a player blocking me, but just the emotions and the adrenaline when it goes in, you can’t be that feeling.”
Often deployed in the heart of midfield, White revealed head coach Airton Andrioli told him to go on and ‘work like an animal’ in a bid to help his side’s defensive cause, and it’s a role he’s happy to play whenever his boss needs him to.
CITY REACTION: City boss delivers scathing review after Champions brutally upstaged: ‘Atrocious’
“I’m a box-to-box midfielder, that’s sort of my role,” said White, when asked what his preferred position is.
“Just doing a bit of everything. Scoring goals, getting back and defending but wherever Airton feels like he needs me I’m going to do a job. I’m going to do my best for the team.”
