No one has left a mark on the Hyundai A-League quite like Besart Berisha.
And with the competition’s all-time top scorer signing on with Western United, we thought we’d take a look back at the moments that made the man.
Here are the defining moments of Berisha’s Hyundai A-League career, but who could possible rule out another few being made during the 2019/20 Season?
Grand Final double to break Perth hearts
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Death, taxes and Berisha coming up with the big-match heroics.
The league’s all-time top scorer earned an infamous reputation for decisive goals across his seven-season tenure in Australia.
Exhibit A? The 2012 Grand Final against Perth Glory.
With Ange Postecoglou’s Brisbane trailing 1-0 late on, Berisha buried a trademark glancing header in the 84th minute to pull level, and kept his cool from the penalty spot to win Roar the Championship with the final kick off the match.
That last-ditch spot kick – which Berisha controversially won himself – would typify his standing as the ultimate anti-hero.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5588596196001
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Clutch Grand Final header against Wanderers
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5568594468001
Two years later, it was the hearts of Western Sydney Wanderers that were shattered by Berisha’s brilliance.
And it was another ferociously dispatched header – this time from a Thomas Broich cross in the 86th minute – that hauled the Roar level with the Red and Black at Suncorp Stadium.
The Wanderers had defended stoutly, but the fact it was Berisha with the breakthrough almost seemed inevitable. It was sheer testament to the striker’s ability to produce moments of magic.
Fittingly, it was Berisha’s 48th and last goal for the Queenslanders. Roar sealed the Grand Final through Henrique, and Berisha sought a new challenge with Melbourne Victory.
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Adelaide acrobatics
Incredibly, with the score against Adelaide United locked at 1-1 in the dying minutes of 2018’s Elimination Final, it appeared Victory coach Kevin Muscat was preparing to substitute Berisha as extra time loomed.
The Hyundai A-League’s perennial headline writer had other ideas.
In the 89th minute, Berisha spectacularly fired in an acrobatic overhead winner from Kosta Barbarouses’ cross which crept inside the post and won the match for Victory.
The club went on the seal their fourth Championship with a 1-0 win against Newcastle Jets in the Grand Final. How different things might have been had Muscat acted quicker?
WESTERN UNITED: How does their squad shape up with Berisha signing?
FIXTURES: Where you can see Berisha in action for the Hyundai A-League’s newest club
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