With one swing of that magic wand of left peg, 42-year-old Daniel McBreen sent FFA Cup viewers around the nation into meltdown.
It was looking glum for NPL Northern NSW outfit Edgeworth Eagles when Newcastle Jets’ Panama international striker Abdiel Arroyo slotted the Hyundai A-League powerhouses into a 1-0 lead on nine minutes.
AS IT HAPPENED: All the goals and big moments from Round of 16 Match Day 1
“THAT IS SIMPLY MAGNIFICENT!”
“THAT IS SIMPLY @djmcbreen!”
"The only word you can say is: WOW!"#EDGvNEW #MagicOfTheCup pic.twitter.com/I1DCX86syA
— Australia Cup (@AustraliaCup) August 21, 2019
But the veteran front man McBreen was having none of it. Only eight minutes later, the former Central Coast Mariner forgot about the calf injury that had kept him sidelined for a month, took aim and hit a thunderbolt.
Ernie Merrick’s Jets went on to claim the battle of the Hunter, 5-1, and book their place in the last eight of the FFA Cup – but one moment is etched in the minds of the viewers forever.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514574001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6075123700001
On Fox Sports’ coverage, Caltex Socceroos great Mark Bosnich said: “I think he should retire after tonight. Not many people get to retire with that kind of goal so I think he should retire.”
Here’s some of the best of how social media reacted…
Oldest #FFACup goalscorers:
42y 120d Daniel McBreen, for Edgeworth #EDGvNEW
39y 130d McBreen v WSW 31/08/16
39y 096d McBreen v FNQ 28/07/16
37y 324d Ange Konstantinou(GK), for Canberra Olympic v Green Gully 27/09/16
37y 290d Konstantinou v Redlands 24/08/16@djmcbreen-power— andrew howe (@AndyHowe_statto) August 21, 2019
16' GOAL! @djmcbreen, WHAT. A. HIT!
He has just scored an absolute RIPPER!!!
It's 1-1!#EDGvNEW #FFACup #MagicOfTheCup
— Australia Cup (@AustraliaCup) August 21, 2019
16’ | Goal Edgeworth | You wouldn’t read about it… Daniel McBreen levels it with a scorcher from outside the area (1-1) #EDGvNEW #FFACup #MadeOfNewcastle
— NEWCASTLE JETS FC ✈️ (@NewcastleJetsFC) August 21, 2019
And now 78 year old @djmcbreen has scored a pearler! Huge @FFACup moment. @FOXFOOTBALL
— Daniel Garb (@DanielGarb) August 21, 2019
Daniel McBreen when he's on TV in the FFA Cup #FFACup #EDGvNEW pic.twitter.com/cFo9aoH0t4
— Enda Higgins (@endahiggins88) August 21, 2019
One of the all time FFA Cup moments!!! What a goal!!! #FFACup
— The Rad (@TheRad27) August 21, 2019
@djmcbreen WHAT A HIT SON!!!!! #EDGvNEW #FFACup #MAGICOFTHECUP
— David Winkless (@docker_dave) August 21, 2019
What a cracker by McBreen..#FFACup
— Doc Buso (@Doc_Buso) August 21, 2019
Neither do we!!!#FFACup #MagicOfTheCup #EDGvNEW https://t.co/tyFf8hUqop
— Australia Cup (@AustraliaCup) August 21, 2019
It just had to be @djmcbreen! WoW! Age may slow you down but class is permanent 🔥🔥🔥 @FFACup
— Rob Cornthwaite (@robcornthwaite) August 21, 2019
https://twitter.com/aarondibdin/status/1164113800745775105?s=20
WOW @djmcbreen 👏👏👏👏#MAGICOFTHECUP
— Mal Impiombato (@MalImpiombato) August 21, 2019
Exactly right! 😮 #MagicOfTheCup #FFACup #EDGvNEW https://t.co/26iYkK28Lz
— Australia Cup (@AustraliaCup) August 21, 2019
Us too 😍😍😍😍#MagicOfTheCup #FFACup #EDGvNEW https://t.co/PBawAR4onf
— Australia Cup (@AustraliaCup) August 21, 2019
https://twitter.com/deankaneaus/status/1164118053577084928?s=20
