New Zealand international Niko Kirwan has scored the only goal of the game to help take his Padova side into the last four of the Coppa Italia Serie C knockout cup.
Kirwan (28) scored in the 9th minute against Pontedera to seal a 1-0 win in the quarter-finals of the competition.
The wing back led his team’s goal celebration which included raising a #77 shirt in recognition of teammate Simone Russini who recently underwent surgery to repair a ruptured ACL, the same injury that sidelined Kirwan last year.
After the game, Kirwan said: “The whole team had decided to make this gesture for Simone, joking with Dezi yesterday saying that it would be a nice closing of the circle if I had scored the goal and lifted my shirt.”
Watch Niko Kirwan’s goal
Kirwan’s post-match interview
Niko Kirwan talked about the match, played on Wednesday December 13, 2023, and his goal celebration, after the match (Italian language only):
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