Joel Chianese had an instant impact for Perth Glory on Tuesday night as he opened the scoring in his side’s 1-1 stalemate with Newcastle Jets.
Chianese had a second Glory debut to remember after he got on the scoresheet with his first touch of the game after entering the action on the hour mark.
The midfielder had only just returned to Glory for his second stint after signing with the club on loan from Indian Super League side, Hyderabad.
He had recently completed the mandatory quarantine period upon his arrival from India before swiftly being named in Perth’s squad to face the Jets at Coffs International Stadium on Tuesday night.
In his post-match interview, the Glory midfielder was pleased with his contribution given the quite incredible circumstances in the lead up to the match.
“It’s sort of what you wish for when you come in. Especially when you haven’t done much. I just got out of quarantine; I did a couple of sessions,” Chianese said.
“It was nice to start like that, it was a shame we couldn’t hold out for the win but hopefully we can take some positives and I can keep my fitness up and add to the team.”
It was a case of being in the right place at the right time for the crafty midfielder as he tapped home Andy Keogh’s cutback from the bi-line from point blank range.
“It was a good combination, hopefully we can work on that a bit more and what a ball from Andy [Keogh] to set me up,” he said.
“It was nice to get off the mark.”
MATCH REPORT: O’Donovan penalty rescues point for Jets at Coffs International Stadium
It didn’t end up as a fairy tale finish for Perth with a Roy O’Donovan penalty only a matter of minutes later denying them of securing all three points.
However, the draw has closed the chapter on their two match losing streak as they return to the west to take on Wellington Phoenix this Sunday.
It will be a welcome return to HBF Park after three matches on the trot in NSW which saw them come away with the solitary point.
Their upcoming opponents sit just above them on the A-League ladder in ninth but Richard Garcia’s men possess a game in hand over the New Zealand outfit.
