Sydney FC’s star signing Douglas Costa turned on the style in Adelaide on Friday night, scoring two goals and registering an assist to haul his side to a dramatic comeback draw against Adelaide United.
The Brazilian opened his Isuzu UTE A-League account with a bullet strike at Coopers Stadium and with his side trailing 3-1 in the 89th minute, put responsibility on his experienced shoulders with a second goal and a pinpoint assist to Jordan Courtney-Perkins’ 95th-minute equaliser in the 3-3 draw.
MADNESS IN ADELAIDE! Douglas Costa inspires stunning Sydney FC fightback in six-goal thriller
Costa has played just five league games for Sydney so far this season, having endured an injury-impacted start to life in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
The former Juventus and Bayern Munich winger suffered a hamstring tendon injury in October but in Friday’s clash with Adelaide, he roared into form with a match-defining performance against the Reds.
His first goal of the night came in the first half; his driven strike beat Adelaide keeper James Delianov and brought Sydney back on level terms at 1-1.
But Adelaide stormed into a 3-1 lead shortly after half-time and left Sydney staring down the barrel of a third-consecutive defeat.
Trailing by two goals in the 89th minute, Costa stepped up again to double his goal tally for the night and give Sydney hope.
Deep into stoppage time, the Brazilian produced expert delivery from a corner to meet the head of Courtney-Perkins who nodded Sydney’s third of the game into the back of the net to seal a point that looked unobtainable just minutes prior.
Post-game, Sydney captain Rhyan Grant lauded the impact of his superstar teammate.
“He’s just that X-factor,” Grant told Network 10.
“He’s got something special and like you saw tonight, he contributed to all three goals. He hasn’t done what he’s done over his career for nothing, he’s a massive talent and a great player. If we need goals, he’s a guy we look to and he produced tonight.”
After his special display in Adelaide, Costa joined Network 10 to discuss the early months of his stay in Sydney, and lauded the club and its fans for welcoming him with open arms.
“They treat me really well,” he said.
“The only thing I had to do is put some skill and show in the game there what I can do, and bring back the happiness for our supporters that come to watch our game.”
“I’m really happy to help my teammates. I was looking for that, because I was injured five weeks ago, and now I’m back to the team and trying to help my guys. Nothing better than scoring some goals and getting some assists!
“We’ll start now (trying) to get some points, to take some points home, that’s very important. We need to keep in that shape, score goals and try to get three points… day by day, month by month, we’re going to prove ourselves, and we’re going to put the best Sydney FC on the field as well.
“It’s hard when you score two goals and one assist in one game, then the guys are going to expect a lot from me in other games! So I have to push hard and improve myself, even more. I’m very happy for today, and I’m going to try and keep in that shape.”
