Joey Garuccio has etched his name into Adelaide United folklore after scoring a 99th-minute equaliser to secure the Reds a heart-stopping Original Rivalry draw with arch-rivals Melbourne Victory.
With Victory reduced to 10 men and desperately trying to defend their lead on Sunday, Garuccio arrived on time to meet a well-placed delivery from Adelaide skipper Ryan Kitto, securing a 2-2 draw to send fans at Coopers Stadium into delirium.
The visitors had appeared set to secure a desperately needed win after Jordi Valadon’s long-range blast in the 64th minute and a 70th-minute volley from Keegan Jelacic cancelled out Brody Burkitt’s goal on the stroke of half-time.
SUNDAY SHOWDOWN: Last-gasp Vidic winner sees Roar beat Bulls in fiery encounter
Instead, though, Philipp Ziereis received his second yellow in the 86th minute to put his side at a numbers disadvantage and, when 10 minutes of added time was signalled, the stage was set for 20-year-old Garuccio to emerge as the hero.
As remarkable as the contest was, however, the draw means both sides remain winless in the league, the duo having come into the contest juggling the demands of domestic and Asian Champions League 2 (ACL2) football and desperate to kickstart their A-League Men campaigns.
Just days after his side surrendered a lead to fall 2-1 to Persib Bandung in the ACL2, the draw heaped further pressure on newly appointed Victory boss Giovanni Savarese, who has now won just once in his last nine games.
Victory thought they’d taken the lead when a ninth-minute corner spilled to Matthew Grimaldi and he rifled an effort home, only for VAR to determine Charles Nduka had fouled Adelaide keeper Joshua Smits in the build-up.
They then fell into deficit when Burkitt timed his run superbly to meet a set-piece routine and guide Juan Muniz’s cross goalward.
And while Valadon and Jelacic responded, Adelaide finished strong and Garuccio took his moment late to see the spoils shared.
