Adelaide United young gun Riley McGree caps homecoming with Reds’ stunning FFA Cup triumph
Riley McGree says his star showing in Adelaide United’s stunning FFA Cup final triumph has vindicated his decision to return home, in the wake of the most testing period of his young career.
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IT was set against the back drop of the most challenging period of his young career.
But Riley McGree said his FFA Cup final masterclass vindicated his decision to return to his hometown club.
The SA-born midfielder scored one goal, set up another and had a major hand in a third, as Adelaide United thumped Melbourne City 4-0 in the knockout decider at a packed Hindmarsh.
McGree’s eye-catching display came just a fortnight after FFA announced it was investigating his and three teammates’ involvement in alleged misconduct while on national under-23 duty.
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“It’s a bit of a blur,” said McGree, of helping the Reds land a record third cup on Wednesday night.
“I’m a homegrown player here and I want to win trophies.
“I kind of didn’t know how to celebrate it (his goal) … and I was still pretty nervous afterwards.
“I didn’t want to concede anything and wanted to keep working hard.
“But it was a good feeling. I’m very proud of the team.”
McGree, 20, declined to comment on the ongoing investigation, which centred on a night out in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, following the AFC under-23 qualifying tournament in March.
But his brilliant all-round showing highlighted his growing on-field maturity and the all-action game which has surely put him on the radar for future Socceroos involvement.
The Gawler Eagles product played an unselfish pass for Ben Halloran to put the Reds two-up just after half-time, having benefited from man-of-the-match Al Hassan’s Toure’s through ball.
Next he demonstrated his sublime touch, bringing down a looping delivery before shifting the ball wide for Halloran to cross for Nikola Mileusnic’s back-post finish.
McGree rounded off his matchwinning performance by swivelling to smash home a left-footed strike and hammer the final nail in City’s coffin 15 minutes from time.
It was the playmaker’s fourth goal in seven games in all competitions since rejoining United from Belgian side Club Brugge in the off-season.
“We played City on Sunday (in a 2-1 A-League loss) and we knew what we had to do better,” said McGree, who spent last summer on loan at the Victorian club.
“I think we did that tonight.
“They would have had a game plan, even after conceding.
“But we also had a game plan and kind of counteracted what they did.
“It’s always good to get one over your old club.
“But I’ve been there (City) and I’m thankful for the opportunity I had there.”
McGree burst into the Reds’ first-team as a confident 17-year-old, but shot to global fame last year when his scorpion kick wonder-goal sent Newcastle Jets to the grand final.
He said Adelaide, winless in the opening two league rounds, would take confidence from digging deep to withstand City’s early pressure, before turning on the style in the second half.
“We did weather that storm and that was needed,” said McGree, booked late on for a clash with City captain Scott Jamieson.
“We were thankful we didn’t concede.
“It might have been a different game if we did.
“We pushed hard and we knew that if we got one more that we would be able to get another one and another one.
“It showed out there that we have good heart and good fight.”