Football
AAP 6y

Sydney FC's Milos Ninkovic delighted with goal of the year contender

It's the leading contender for goal of the year and for its scorer, it might be the best of his career.

Milos Ninkovic's equaliser in Sydney FC's Thursday night 2-2 draw with Newcastle was a thing of majesty, a moment of individual brilliance that will do no harm to the Serbian playmaker's aspirations of making a second World Cup.

Feeding outside to Bobo and then re-taking the ball 20 metres out, Ninkovic embarked on a merry dance through the Jets' defence before chipping the ball slickly over goalkeeper Glen Moss.

A look in one direction and a dart in the other, the solo move was as presumptuous as it was brilliant.

And even the Johnny Warren Medallist admitted he may have outdone himself.

"Maybe it was the best goal I ever scored," Ninkovic said. "It was just instinct, because you don't have too much time to think 'I will do this or that.'

"We were 1-0 down, it was a very important goal for us and that's why maybe I celebrate too much."

Ninkovic felt he was getting back to his best form after a gradual return from the calf injury that interrupted his title defence with the Sky Blues.

"I am happy to score ... it gives me more confidence," he said.

"Last year I wasn't injured at all, but I am the type of player that when I have a month or three weeks out I need more time to get back. I need games."

The more games he gets, the better his chances are of a World Cup swan song with Serbia.

Ninkovic, who has 28 caps, hasn't appeared for his national team since 2012 but went to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where he played against the Socceroos including current Sydney teammates Luke Wilkshire and David Carney.

Late in 2016 he shut the door on a potential recall, but he's not given up hope of making the Russia 2018 showpiece.

Serbia have reportedly handed the vacant coaching position to caretaker Mladen Krstajic, who looks set to lead the country against Group E opponents Brazil, Switzerland, and Costa Rica.

"I want to play one more World Cup, but as well you need to be realistic," Ninkovic said.

"I'm 33 years old, and I just want to stay healthy so I can enjoy playing and help my teammates.

"It doesn't matter if I score 10 goals or (make) 10 assists. Of course I would like to score 10 goals, but I just want to help my teammates to win trophies and make history."

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