Already a legend, Besart Berisha immortalised himself in Hyundai A-League history when he became the first player to score 100 goals in the competition.
Melbourne Victory’s star striker, who notched 48 times across three seasons at Brisbane Roar, etched his name in the record books with the lone goal in a 1-0 win over Central Coast Mariners in the final round of the 2016-17 regular season.
His finish was not exactly vintage – he missed James Troisi’s initial low delivery before turning home Jai Ingham’s unselfish pass – but it was the moment, and the meaning of the goal, that mattered most.
Until then, Victory had struggled to break down a Mariners side which was still fighting to avoid the wooden spoon.
James Troisi came closest by drawing a stunning one-handed save from Paul Izzo in the first-half, while Roy O’Donovan might have made more of a one-on-one at the other end.
But the headlines, as they so often do, belonged to Berisha.
The Kosovan’s goal earned him a share of a second Golden Boot and cemented his reputation as the Hyundai A-League’s most feared striker of its first 11 seasons.
Re-live Berisha’s 100th goal in the Video above.
