Eugene Dadi says his superb first goal in Wellington Phoenix colours was purely instinctive and will be impossible to repeat.
The big Ivory Coast striker’s thrilling overhead bicycle kick in the 56th minute at Westpac Stadium on Saturday night was one of two goals he scored in the Phoenix’s 3-1 Hyundai A-League win against Brisbane Roar.
“It’s just instinct. Don’t ask me to do it next week. It won’t be possible. It just happened,” the 36-year-old said with a grin.
“I can’t tell you [what I was thinking]. The ball came and that was the only thing I could do. Luckily it went in.”
His efforts, which included a simple tap-in six minutes later, ensured Dadi became a firm fan favourite on his Phoenix debut and ended an unhappy few months which resulted in his move from Perth Glory to the New Zealand capital.
However, Dadi insisted he had nothing to prove after being on the outer at Perth this season despite scoring 10 goals in 22 games for them and winning last season’s fans’ player of the year award.
“You don’t become bad overnight. I’m just happy that Ricki [Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert] trusts me, trusts my work, trusts what I’ve done last year and trusts my ability to keep doing it,” he said.
“I’m just happy to feel that my coach is going to give me a go as long as I’m there working hard.”
“I’m in the right environment. They like what I’m doing and they trust me and for me that’s important.”
“It’s important for me to perform well and to feel people behind me. The best way for me to thank them is for me to score goals like I did [on Saturday night].”
