Lucas Pantelis produced an iconic Original Rivalry moment against Melbourne Victory during the 2007/08 season.
With the Reds holding an insurmountable 3-1 lead in the Round 8 clash in stoppage time, Pantelis inflicted one final blow as United were looking to avenge their Grand Final loss some nine months earlier.
After missing the entire A-League 2006/07 campaign due to rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), Pantelis left an unforgettable mark on the match in his first start of the new season.
Travis Dodd’s deft touch played through the then 25-year-old, who dribbled forward and demonstrated immense poise, before placing his left-footed finish into the top corner to make it 4-1 and seal a memorable performance.
“I think that was my first start back from my ACL injury,” Pantelis recalled.
“To not just win the game but to cap off what was an incredible night.
“That goal at the end for me personally was kind of special, not of how I scored it or how it went in more because to me it just revealed I felt I was back.
“Coming back from an ACL injury you’re just unsure how your knee is going to hold up and for me it was just a special moment in my career.”
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