Adelaide United’s centre-back Panagiotis Kikianis shares with aleagues.com.au the experience from a memorable night in 2016 that cemented his aspiration to represent his childhood club, along with how the Young Socceroos’ remarkable victory at the Asian Cup can serve as a catalyst for the upcoming generation.
Before stepping up to take a penalty for the Young Socceroos in the Under-20 Asian Cup Final, Kikianis had never faced a penalty in a competitive setting.
During the final held in Shenzhen, China, in March, Australia and Saudi Arabia were locked at 1-1 after 120 minutes, leading to a tense penalty shootout.
Both teams successfully converted their initial four penalties. Then, it was Kikianis’ moment as he prepared to walk towards the spot.
“We’d been training penalties throughout the tournament, but I wasn’t certain if I’d get a chance to take one,” Kikianis revealed to aleagues.com.au.
“However, once the final whistle blew, Liam Reddy, our goalkeeping coach, approached me and asked if I was ready to take a penalty – and my answer was always going to be yes.”
“It’s a daunting moment, but you need to back yourself and select your target. As I approached the ball, I felt surprisingly calm. All the nerves were back on the halfway line. When the ball hit the back of the net, it was an enormous relief.”
Kikianis executed his penalty with precision, putting Australia ahead 5-4 in the shootout.
What transpired next etched the Young Socceroos’ name into the annals of Australian football history.
A stunning save from Steven Hall, who diverted Bassam Hazazi’s penalty off course, secured the Young Socceroos their first championship of Asia.
This squad, featuring talent from the Isuzu UTE A-League and 23 of Australia’s most promising young players, remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, clinching the nation’s inaugural Under-20 Asian Cup title.
Emotions ran high in the changing rooms as the Young Socceroos celebrated together, solidifying bonds that will last a lifetime.
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“I witnessed tears from people I never expected to see,” Kikianis said. “And it wasn’t solely the players; everyone had a significant role to play.”
“Reflecting on it, it’s astounding what we achieved. It was incredibly rewarding since the group of boys we had was hardworking and down-to-earth. We enjoyed great camaraderie, and the coaching staff, from the team manager to the physios and fitness trainers, were the best people I’ve encountered in football.”
“The manner in which we accomplished it, remaining unbeaten and performing exceptionally, was beyond my imagination. It felt like a dream fulfilled.”
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Just a week after achieving glory in Asia, Kikianis turned 20. As one of four current Adelaide United players in the Young Socceroos, he signed a five-year deal – the most prolonged contract in Isuzu UTE A-League history – having showcased consistent play at the club level and returning a champion.
Out of the 23 players who secured the Under-20 Asian Cup for Australia, 17 are currently in the Isuzu UTE A-League. The current league season is witnessing a surge of emerging talents, and Kikianis is confident that this tournament win will instil confidence in the young players coming up through their clubs and making waves at the senior level.
“It simply boosts their confidence,” he stated.
“So many younger players now are making appearances every week in the A-League, and they’re performing admirably. They’re not just kids; they’re genuinely mature footballers.”
“It’s fantastic to see this shift in Australia, as other countries have already embraced it. Players aged 17, 18, and 19 are representing prestigious clubs globally. Gradually, we are witnessing even 16 and 17-year-olds playing in the A-League, which is thrilling for Australian football.”
“It demonstrates that a real pathway exists; if you believe in yourself and put in the effort, once you reach this level and perform well, your opportunities can be limitless. That’s the unpredictable yet wonderful aspect of football: a few standout performances can turn your life around.”
“As long as the likes of myself and these other A-League players remain humble and committed, the possibilities are boundless.”
After returning from the Asian Cup, Kikianis along with his three teammates from Adelaide refocused on domestic duties as the Reds strive to secure a top-six finish.
Jonny Yull, Luka Jovanovic, and Fabian Talladira joined Kikianis in celebrating the Asian Cup victory, where all six South Australian squad members, including former United talents Hall and Musa Toure, featured in the final.
Adelaide is well-known for fostering young, local talent and introducing them to the senior squad. For Kikianis, securing a spot in the starting eleven has been his objective since he was 11 years old, when he sat in the stands at Adelaide Oval, watching the Reds win their first Isuzu UTE A-League Championship.
“It’s a tremendous honour,” he remarked. “It’s the kind of thing you dream of as a kid attending matches at Hindmarsh (Coopers Stadium) to see Adelaide United play in the A-League.”
“Once I began playing school soccer in Year Two or Three, that’s when I started going to games. I vividly recall finishing school on a Friday and immediately asking Dad if he had scored tickets for the weekend game. I would be hopeful for a positive reply; otherwise, I’d be incredibly disappointed.”
“Their Grand Final victory at Adelaide Oval against Western Sydney was a pivotal moment for me; it was when I realised I wanted to become a footballer.”
“Now, being able to play on the field in front of thousands of dedicated fans weekly is a surreal experience.”
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Kikianis began his football journey at Fulham United at age seven, moving on to West Adelaide and then to the Football SA NTC before joining Adelaide’s academy at 16, bringing his dream of playing for the first team into focus.
“Training with the youth team, I could literally see the A-League team training just over the fence,” he recounted.
“It’s the aspiration of every kid to become part of that professional environment, playing alongside such talented individuals. That alone was a massive motivation for me.
“For any footballer, there are tough periods when you might ponder whether it’s worth it or consider giving up. But consistently looking over that fence, hoping one day to join that A-League team, kept me going.”
Four years on, that dream is now a reality for Kikianis, who is one of several academy graduates thriving in the first team.
Yull, Jovanovic, Talladira, and Kikianis made up Adelaide’s quartet in the Under-20 Asian Cup victory, while others like Ethan Cox, Panashe Madanha, Harry Crawford, and Ethan Alagich have also moved from the academy to the senior set-up.
Every talented local player at Adelaide can look towards the recent success of their peers securing overseas moves and draw inspiration, like Nestory Irankunda at Bayern Munich, Steven Hall at Brighton & Hove Albion, Joe Gauci at Aston Villa, and brothers Musa and Mohamed Toure at Randers FC in Denmark.
“We had a close relationship with the boys who made the jump to Europe; they rightly earned those opportunities,” Kikianis explained. “Now it’s realistic to believe that if you put in hard work and perform, anything is achievable.
“But it’s a journey. There’s no need to rush decisions. I’ll keep playing and enjoying my football, and whatever happens will unfold naturally.”
“A group of six or seven of us are tightly bonded in training. We truly understand each other on the pitch. Our long-standing friendships and knowledge of one another’s strengths allow us to excel together.”
“Jonny Yull and Luka Jovanovic have been with me since the beginning of our footballing paths, and that connection is evident now. We’re among the closest at the club, not only on the pitch but also off it, sharing training sessions and downtime together, stemming from our long history together.”
This season, the Isuzu UTE A-League has given young players the opportunity to shine at various clubs, and Kikianis has notably benefited from increased first-team minutes.
Prior to signing a record-breaking contract, he had only featured in five games for the Reds, but head coach Carl Veart recognised his potential and, over the off-season, complemented a new deal with assurances of regular game time alongside experienced Dutch player Bart Vriends.
Kikianis has started in every one of his 17 appearances this season, drastically increasing his minutes compared to last year.
“I don’t think I was physically ready last year,” he reflected. “Having dealt with a few injuries meant I couldn’t complete a full pre-season; I returned to the team later than I would have liked.
“This year, there were discussions regarding Bart coming in to mentor me. Yet, while those discussions were constructive, guarantees are non-existent; hence hard work is essential, regardless of circumstances.
“Absolutely, I’ve started every game I’ve been available for, but that doesn’t guarantee continued selection. If I lower my standards, there’s always someone ready to take my spot. It’s critical to stay humble, enjoy my football, and maintain my style of play.”
“Bart’s not only a brilliant footballer; he’s also an intelligent individual off the pitch. He’s an exemplary leader, having played in the top tiers in Holland for an extended period. I’ve gained tremendous insights from him.”
- Email: contact@sportarena.com.au