Maths expert calculates speed of Adelaide United star Daniel Adlung’s goal

DANIEL Adlung’s incredible goal for Adelaide United on Thursday has excited mathematicians in the quest to solve an equation related to speed of ball as it travelled into the back of the net.

Central Coast keeper Ben Kennedy could only watch Adelaide United’s Daniel Adlung’s super fast shot crash into the back of the net in a 2-1 win for the Reds in Gosford on Thursday night. Picture: AAP

DANIEL Adlung’s incredible goal for Adelaide United on Thursday night was travelling at an estimated 92km/h when it crossed the goal-line according to a top mathematician.

Adlung’s breathtaking thunderbolt helped Adelaide to a 2-1 win over Central Coast on Thursday as social media quickly talked up strike as a goal-of-the-year contender.

Carol Moule, executive officer of the Mathematical Association of South Australia calculated that Adlung had smacked the ball at 92km/h – impressive but not quite as fast as Brazil legend Roberto Carlos who had a free kick reportedly clocked at 137km/h in 1997.

“For those people who say that there is no reason to study mathematics, even simple arithmetical, here is a lovely practical application of it – involving estimation, conversion of units and also applying common sense when an answer does not seem correct,” said Moule.

German midfielder Adlung, 30, lapped up the interest on Friday following his strike from 23m into the top corner of Mariners keeper Ben Kennedy’s goal in the 59th minute to level the tie.

“When the ball left my foot I felt it was going in for sure because I hit the ball really well,’’ Adlung said on Friday.

“But then I realised after the ball moved so fast.

“I don’t know if it’s the fastest goal I have scored, – but this one was one of my best goals.”

It was Adlung’s second impressive long range strike for United after his belter against Western Sydney in the FFA Cup semi-final last month – again he levelled the tie – before the Reds claimed a 2-1 win.

But Adlung who doesn’t have any public social media accounts also revealed his goal made headlines in his native Germany.

“Friends of mine saw it on Instagram in Germany,’’ he said.

“They sent me messages like “oh you scored a big bomb.”

Ryan Kitto snared the late show goal in Gosford with an 18m volley after United grabbed Mariners by the throat and wouldn’t let go especially in the second half.

That domination was due to Adlung and United captain Isaias taking charge by actions rather than lip service to ensure the three points after the disappointment of three consecutive losses.

“At half time we spoke about not losing this game,’’ Adlung said.

“In the first 20 minutes we had no organisation because we tried something different but then we changed and we were much better.

“We needed to press them higher and we did that.”

The Reds had nine shots on target – 24 overall – and completed 13 crosses to Mariners three.

Reds keeper Paul Izzo did not have a save to make despite watching Mariners midfielder Wout Brama score from the penalty spot while Kennedy was forced to make seven blocks during the 90 minutes.

Originally published as Maths expert calculates speed of Adelaide United star Daniel Adlung’s goal