Nestory Irankunda put on a show at Coopers Stadium, even after the full-time whistle on Friday night.
Adelaide United’s 2-0 win over Wellington Phoenix in the opening Elimination Final provided another glimpse of Irankunda’s immense quality.
MARINERS AWAIT ADELAIDE: Adelaide set up epic Semi Final showdown after Goodwin double & Irankunda late show
Amid speculation over a potential move to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, the 17-year-old sensation came off the bench in the 63rd minute and within three minutes, he created the moment for talismanic captain Craig Goodwin to earn a penalty and double the Reds’ lead.
The build-up to Goodwin’s 67th-minute penalty was a further example of Irankunda’s strength, power and pace as some of the world’s biggest clubs stand up and take notice.
His post-game exploits were even more sensational.
Just as the Paramount+ crew were wrapping up for the night, Irankunda crashed the live TV broadcast and responded to links with Bayern.
Quizzed by former Adelaide striker and current Network 10 analyst Bruce Djite, who asked: “Are you going to be speaking German soon?”, the Reds forward provided a hilarious response.
“Nah, nah I’m going to England. Bruce is my agent,” he said.
Listen below for KEEPUP’s immediate reaction at Coopers Stadium, or subscribe via Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
‘That should never happen’
Friday night’s result in South Australia brought down the curtain on Ufuk Talay’s four-year tenure with Wellington Phoenix, as star goalkeeper Oli Sail also farewelled the club.
Both coach and player were far from happy with not only the result, but the manner in which the ‘Nix conceded against Adelaide.
It was a forgettable night for right-back Callan Elliot, who failed to deal with the cross that lead to Goodwin’s 19th-minute opener, while he also gave away the 67th-minute penalty.
“It’s disappointing. We conceded two goals from two mistakes,” Talay, who leaves Wellington as the club’s most successful head coach in their 16-year history, told Paramount+.
“One we don’t deal with the cross and clear the ball, and we don’t get close enough to block the shot. The second one is a corner from us in a transition moment where we could’ve killed the game in the opposition half.
“We didn’t and gave away a penalty, and walked away emptyhanded.”
For New Zealand international Sail, who will join Perth Glory, he added: “They were the better side tonight.
“We didn’t deal with their deliveries from wide areas and gave them two soft goals. With a counter-attack that led to a penalty from our own corner and then obviously didn’t deal with a delivery in the first half.”
Sail was vocal throughout the contest, specifically regarding what was happening at the opposite end of the field.
“It was about the fact we were allowing (Adelaide goalkeeper) Joe Gauci to come and deal with every single corner. Which ultimately led to the second goal,” said Sail, who will be joined by Clayton Lewis and Steven Ugarkovic in leaving the Phoenix.
“That should never happen. It was pretty disappointing.”
Goodwin’s Mariners warning
“We want revenge,” was the message from Craig Goodwin after Adelaide set up a blockbuster Semi Final with Central Coast Mariners.
Goodwin’s double guided the Reds past the Phoenix and into a two-legged tie against the Mariners for a spot in the Championship decider.
It comes after Adelaide were sensationally swept aside 4-1 at home to the Mariners in the final round of the regular season.
“It was really important for us to get a reaction from the game last week,” Goodwin told Paramount+. “There was hurt from the result because it wasn’t a true reflection of how we’ve been going this season.”
The Socceroos star continued: “We said to the group during the week, it’s better that the result against Central Coast happened now to give us some fire in the belly. It’s good to build that momentum.
“But we have to prepare really hard and be ready to go because Central Coast are a good team. They’ve been really good this season and we want revenge. It was a tough game for us last time out and even the away fixture. So there is a bit there for us and I’m sure it will be a fiery occasion.
“The one thing that we lacked last week was that desire. That desire to put in that extra effort and the desire to do the hard yards and have the sacrifice. We had it tonight and we need it next week.”
Adelaide kept a rare clean sheet, just their fourth of the season and first since January 20.
Joe Gauci played a key role in preserving their clean sheet on Friday night as he earned praise from his skipper.
“Joe is going from strength to strength in the last couple of years,” said Goodwin. “He thoroughly deserved his Socceroos cap. He Is a fantastic goalkeeper.
“He is still learning and progressing himself. When he is in that kind of mood, and that presence to come out for crosses, it gives the defence a lot of confidence to be able to break quickly. He is really commanding, so it gives everyone else confidence to play and trust in him.”
