Substitute Nathan Konstandopoulos struck late to give Adelaide United a thrilling 4-3 victory over Western United in Besart Berisha’s 200th A-League appearance on Sunday.
Berisha, the competition’s all-time leading scorer, marked the occasion with a first-half brace but Mark Rudan’s men ran out of legs after a stirring comeback.
Three goals were scored inside a blistering first 15 minutes at Whitten Oval, hosting an A-League fixture for the first time, as Nikola Mileusnic netted either side of a clinical Berisha finish.
Riley McGree extended Adelaide’s advantage with his eighth goal of the season in the 18th minute, only for 34-year-old striker Berisha to halve the deficit when he turned home Connor Pain’s cross just before the interval.
The home fans were on their feet again in the 54th minute, Alessandro Diamanti curling beyond Paul Izzo to equalise.
But there was another twist to come in a rollercoaster encounter as midfielder Konstandopoulos stepped off the bench and guided a classy effort in off the upright in the 79th minute, his winner moving the Reds a point ahead of sixth-placed Western United.
FULL TIME
An absolutely incredible game #WUNvADL #ALeague pic.twitter.com/9UEPPZiWPj
— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) January 26, 2020
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