Kaizer Chiefs fan favourite rated top after first-ever UEFA Champions League goal

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Kaizer Chiefs fan favourite rated top after first-ever UEFA Champions League goal
Aden McCarthy playing in the Champions League against Dortmund. Image: Imago

Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Aden McCarthy made his own bit of history when he scored in the UEFA Champions League although he was still on the losing side.

McCarthy, who plays for Azerbaijani champions Sabah FK, featured in his third Champions League game in a row when his team faced Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.

Aden McCarthy facing off with Serhou Guirassy of Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
Aden McCarthy facing off with Serhou Guirassy of Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. Image: Imago

The Chiefs academy graduate restored parity for Sabah just before halftime but it was not enough to avoid defeat at home.

McCarthy makes Champions League history

McCarthy was named in the starting XI, just like against Manchester United in September and Slavia Prague last week, and he impressed on the day.

Ex-Kaizer Chiefs star Aden McCarthyplaying in the Champions League.
Ex-Kaizer Chiefs star Aden McCarthyplaying in the Champions League. Image: Imago

However, Sabah went down after 10 minutes when Guinea forward Serhou Guirassy opened the scoring for Dortmund but McCarthy would draw them level in the 39th minute.

From a freekick, the former Chiefs defender rose highest to head home the equaliser, scoring his first-ever Champions League goal as both teams went to halftime tied 1-1.

However, it took Dortmund eight minutes upon resumption to score the second goal, Guirassy once again coming up trumps and that is how it stayed until the end.

Ex-Kaizer Chiefs star gets highest rating

Aden McCarthy of Sabah FK tackles Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United.
Aden McCarthy of Sabah FK tackles Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United. Image: Imago

It was a bitter sweet moment for McCarthy, who had been part of a historic maiden Champions League win for Sabah last week, when they beat Prague 2-0, having been thrashed 4-0 by United in their opening match.

McCarthy was the highest rated Sabah player on the day as he had a Flashcore rating of 8 as besides his goal, he won four of his five duels, won all his tackles and had a passing accuracy of 89%.

The defender continues to impress since his summer move to Sabah, having only had one season in the senior team at Chiefs.

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a sports journalist covering South Africa, with 16 years in sports media and a Bachelor's Degree in Communication. Focused on football analysis and responsible gambling, his work has appeared on GOAL and Pulse Sports Kenya, and he is a regular football analyst on TV and radio.

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