Terry Antonis broke the internet on Tuesday night with one of the greatest goals in the history of the Isuzu UTE A-League.
Melbourne City already led by five when Antonis entered off the bench in the 54th minute. He then provided an assist for Nuno Reis, before Jamie Maclaren broke his 10-game goal drought, paving the way for a moment that will be rewatched over and over again.
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Antonis flicked a bouncing ball over Oscar Priestman, then instinctively smashed the ball over goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas on the half-volley from halfway.
“We might as well give Terry goal of the season,” City boss Aurelio Vidmar said in his post-match press conference. “He’s a terrific guy and I’m really pleased for him.
“… I think he probably couldn’t have scripted it any better than that. He was probably dreaming last night coming on and scoring, that is exactly what he did.”
There is a case to be made that this could be the single greatest goal in A-Leagues history.
Riley McGree may have something to say about it. So too, Tim Cahill or Orlando Engelaar, who boast goals from equally outrageous distance. But the touch in the build-up, combined with the audaciousness of the strike make Antonis’ contender tough to beat.
The debate began almost instantly.
“This has to be in contention for the best goal in A-Leagues history, no?” suggested journalist Joey Lynch on X. “Ignore the margin at the time, the touch to take it over the defender and then the way that he hit it. It would have to come close.”
“Goal of the Season…more like Goal of the Decade,” wrote A-Leagues fan Scott on X. “I don’t think anything is going to beat what Antonis dished up there”
Football agent John Grimaud added: “As soon as Antonis hit that it was only going in one place!! What an amazing goal!! People need to wake up to the quality in the @aleaguemen!”
Melbourne City fan Tommy tweeted: “TERRY ANTONIS WOW. CANT BELIEVE I JUST SAW THAT LIVE.”
