Andy Naegelein scores first ever goal for Eastern to send them into FA Cup final
Defender opens his account for his club with vital late winner as South China crash out of another domestic competition
Andy Naegelein hadn't scored all season - and his first goal for Eastern couldn't have come at a better time after it sealed a 1-0 victory over South China in the FA Cup semi-final at Mong Kok Stadium on Sunday.
Defender Naegelein popped up inside the South China box five minutes from the end and was on hand to complete a lovely piece of play from Liang Zicheng, who rounded his marker to send a cross that was jabbed home past custodian Rafael Mora.
When that cross came and I struck it home, it was just brilliant. My first goal for Eastern
"I had joked with our attack moments before, telling them, 'Come on guys it's just four minutes left and we have to score'," Naegelein said. "When that cross came and I struck it home, it was just brilliant. My first goal for Eastern.
"I have played only a few games this season, maybe five, and this couldn't have come at a better time. I'm a defender and my role normally is to prevent the other side from scoring but occasionally I will go up, if I have the energy, to try and help up front. It worked today."