Bayern Munich-bound Nestroy Irankunda has stolen the show in Adelaide, scoring a hat-trick as the Reds dispatched Western United 4-1 in the A-League Men.
Irankunda sent the hosts into the break 1-0 up after scoring midway through the first half on Friday night before two goals in the first two minutes of the second half had them flying at Coopers Stadium.
The win lifts Adelaide into ninth spot with 25 points, six adrift of sixth-placed Western Sydney Wanderers.
While finals remain a slim possibility, Reds coach Carl Veart isn’t looking too far ahead.
“Our focus is on winning these next five games,” he said.
“It’s important that we keep our focus on what we can do, not worry about where everyone else is and what they’re doing – we won’t even look at the table, we’ll just focus on ourselves.”
United struck first on 19 minutes against the run of play. Ethan Alagich crossed to the top of the box where Zach Clough attempted a side-foot shot, but it was miscued and rolled into the path of Irankunda.
The 18-year-old drove a powerful first-time shot into the bottom corner leaving Matthew Sutton no chance.
With the goal, Adelaide gained the ascendancy and began to carve out a handful of chances but with Clough thrice going close they did not add to their lead until the opening moments of the second half.
Hiroshi Ibusuki expertly brought the ball down for Stefan Mauk on the halfway line who lobbed a ball over Western’s defence.
Irankunda raced onto the pass and took a touch before sliding under the onrushing Sutton.
The pair combined again 90 seconds later as Irankunda completed his hat-trick.
The winger was released by Ibusuki and drove towards Western’s goal before laying off for Mauk, who clipped a cross back towards the penalty area where Irankunda stormed through and nodded home from close range.
To cap off a frantic few minutes, the visitors pulled back a goal in the 50th.
Javi Lopez looked to cut out a through ball and take possession inside his penalty area, but lost his footing to allow striker Michael Ruhs to capitalise from a tight angle.
On 76 minutes the Reds were awarded a penalty when a cross from Clough struck the arm of Tomoki Imai. Referee Adam Kersey initially waved play on before VAR intervened. Clough converted the kick despite Sutton guessing the right way
The visitors finished the match with 10 players when Imai was shown a red card after lashing out at Ryan Kitto.
Western United coach John Aloisi acknowledged Irankunda’s starring performance.
“They caught us in transition and that’s where they hurt us tonight,” Aloisi said. “In particular, Irankunda. He was the difference.”
