It’s a goal Dimitri Petratos hopes will kick-start his best season ever.
The Brisbane Roar midfielder admits he never expected to score against Liverpool FC and it all happened so quickly in the 17th minute last Friday night – a short pass from Brandon Borrello on the left, a dash across a flat Reds defence and a perfectly-placed right-foot shot back into the near-post corner and beyond the out-stretched arms of Reds keeper Simon Mignolet.
The surprise goal against the five-time European Champions had Roar fans in the Den cheering wildly as the red-clad remainder of Suncorp Stadium sat shocked.
Liverpool would equalise 11 minutes later and went on to win the friendly match 2-1 but Petratos has a career highlight to be cherished forever.
“It happened pretty quick. I did what felt best at the time,” Petratos said this week as he reflected on the unexpected start to his new season.
But he was also quick to put the goal into perspective.
“It is only the start,” Petratos said.
“I’ve got to keep working hard and keep performing and hopefully impress the new boss (John Aloisi).
“It is definitely a good start to the pre-season. I’ve just just got to use that as a confidence booster and keep training harder.”
The 22-year-old is looking to improve on last season when he played 24 Hyundai A-League games for just one goal (against his former club Sydney FC in a Round 21 5-4 loss).
Petratos is working hard to get back to the form that saw him score five goals in 27 games in the 2013/14 season.
He is a lot fitter now than last year and says he enjoyed the twin No.10 role Aloisi asked him to play against Liverpool FC in partnership with Steven Lustica.
“I liked the role, I got on the ball a lot and I really enjoyed it,” Petratos said.
“But whatever position I get to play in, I will be doing my best to help the team.
“It’s great to score goals but it is more important we get the system and structures right and do whatever job the Boss asks us to do.”
