Cacace reveals tribute to Italian legend with goal celebration

Wellington Phoenix youngster Liberato Cacace revealed his unique celebration after his maiden Hyundai A-League goal was a nod to Italian legend Francesco Totti.

Cacace found the net early in the second half of the Phoenix’s 8-2 thrashing of Central Coast Mariners on Saturday night.

The 18-year-old celebrated by sucking his thumb, admitting he had been planning to do it for a number of weeks.

“I’ve been thinking of a celebration for a while,” Cacace said when asked about the celebration.

“When I was younger I watched a lot of Italian football and Francesco Totti used to do that celebration a lot.

“I like that celebration so I did it. I got a bit of stick about it after. Louis Fenton told me that [it was because I’m the baby of the team], but I’ll take that as well.”

Cacace has been one of the finds of the season for Phoenix, starring as a left wing-back under Mark Rudan.

New telstra banner

While he played much of his junior football in central defence, the Wellington-born teenager has thrived on the ability to get forward and showcase his attacking talent.

The same can be said for the Phoenix as a whole, with their eight goals scored against the Mariners a club record and helping them jump into the top four.

They’ll look to build on that emphatic performance and result when they host a resurgent Western Sydney Wanderers at Westpac Stadium on Sunday.

WATCH FOR FREE: How to watch the Hyundai A-League LIVE and FREE
ROMA RECOGNITION: Phoenix given Twitter tribute by Serie A giants
STATS REVIEW: Singh almost matches Del Piero in Phoenix rout

“We’ve got to have the mindset and go there and get three points. There’s six games to go and we can always catch [third-placed Melbourne Victory],” Cacace said.

“We’re looking up instead of behind us.

“We kind of needed [the Mariners] win for the top four and now we have that spot, hopefully we can cement and have a good run until the end of the season.”

New free to air banner