Promising midfielder Gianni Stensness has opened his Hyundai A-League account in stunning fashion by scoring a spectacular bicycle kick for the Central Coast Mariners.

With the Mariners needing to produce something special after falling 4-1 behind to a rampant Western United, Stensness produced just that to find the net from a corner. 

A looping defensive clearance dropped to Stensness, who leapt into the air to execute an acrobatic overhead effort which flew past former Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Filip Kurto. 

Unfortunately for Stensness and his team mates, that was as good as it got for the Mariners as Western went on to claim a comprehensive 6-2 victory. 

While the goal was a first for Stensness in the A-League, he is no stranger to impressively finding the net. 

The 21-year-old starred at the FIFA U-20 World Cup last year and hit the headlines with a long-range pile driver that helped New Zealand beat Norway to earn a place in the last 16

He said at the time it was the best goal he had ever scored but his latest effort calls that into question.

Stensness was disappointed such a memorable goal came in a disappointing team effort though.

“I’m pretty proud to get my first goal in the A-League but it’s sad for it to come in a flogging like that,” he said

“We need to be tighter when we’re getting counter-attacked and it’s about our mentality when we’re going into challenges. A lot of headers and scraps in there they scored off and it’s not good enough from us.” 

Stensness has made 23 appearances in the A-League after debuting for the Wellington Phoenix last year. He left the Phoenix shortly after the U-20 World Cup to explore options in Europe but returned down under to sign for the Mariners prior to the current campaign. 

He is yet to be included in a senior All Whites squad but is in the running to feature in the U-23 New Zealand team that will compete at the Tokyo Olympics later this year. 

Stensness wasn’t the only Kiwi to get on the scoresheet in the A-League over the weekend, All Whites playmaker Marco Rojas also striking as Melbourne Victory edged out Adelaide United 2-1 to keep their season alive.

Rojas marked his 100th A-League appearance by expertly controlling a low cross and slotting home a cool finish for his first goal since re-joining the club in January. 

The 28-year-old is now in his third spell with the Victory and will hope to feature in the All Whites’ away matches against Oman and Bahrain at the end of this month.

Article added: Monday 02 March 2020