Socceroos young gun Nestory Irankunda makes A-League ...

Socceroos young gun Nestory Irankunda made a successful return to football in the A-League Men’s season opener on Friday night after having his life saved on the the pitch just two months ago.

The Adelaide United star was playing a state-league match in August when he suffered a heavy fall and laid motionless while unable to breathe.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Socceroos rising star’s life saved by referee.

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Panic set in when the 17-year-old crashed face-first into the turf and had to be saved by the quick action of a local referee.

Irankunda, who scored a sensational match-winning goal 20 minutes earlier, was immediately surrounded by the referee as teammates and rivals also rushed to his side.

“He was gasping for air,” the referee, Dr Christian Verdicchio, told 7NEWS.

“It was at that point, when he was holding his throat, it was very clear that he was not in a good situation.”

Conscious throughout, Irankunda remained motionless for more than three minutes before slowly making his way to the bench.

Nestory Irankunda was saved by a local referee. Credit: 7NEWS

In his return to the pitch against the Central Coast Mariners on Friday night, Irankunda was instrumental in the Reds’ win, very nearly adding to their 3-0 scoreline.

The Reds were under pressure early against the defending champions on Friday night but survived the onslaught, aided by injuries to key Mariners Brian Kaltak and Alou Koul who left the field on 23 and 34 minutes respectively.

The visitors finished with 10 men when Jacob Farrell was sent off in the final 15 minutes after receiving two cautions.

United coach Carl Veart was thrilled with the strong showing and perfect start to the campaign.

“It’s always important to start the season with three points if you can,” he said.

“The performance tonight was excellent and to keep a clean sheet as well was a huge tick for our boys.”

United had a chance on 23 minutes when Irankunda exploded past Farrell on the right wing and cut back for Zach Clough, who controlled and shot on the turn, only to hit the post.

Nestory Irankunda made a successful return to the pitch. Credit: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

From the resultant corner, Irankunda whipped in a cross which was met by Hiroshi Ibusuki, who headed against the upright.

After surviving an early storm from Central Coast, United eventually broke the deadlock on 38 minutes through Ben Halloran.

Clough collected possession in the front third and drove forward before laying off to Ibusuki on the edge of the area. The Japanese striker held up play and teed up Halloran, who thundered a shot in off the crossbar.

Just before the hour, Mariners winger Angel Torres drove down the right and played in Dylan Wenzel Halls, who shot low and hard from a tight angle but United shot stopper Gauci saved with his legs.

On 62 minutes, Adelaide was awarded a penalty when Wenzel Halls clipped the heels of Ryan Kitto who was looking to latch onto a through pass from Halloran.

Clough stepped up and coolly dispatched the spot kick, sending Danny Vukovic the wrong way.

Ben Halloran's opening goal sent Adelaide United on their way to a 3-0 ALM win over the Mariners. Credit: AAP/Matt Turner

Soon afterwards, Central Coast substitute Christian Theoharous struck the base of the post from inside the area before Marco Tulio blasted the rebound wide.

In the 79th minute Farrell was sent off, collecting his second yellow card just minutes after his first.

From the subsequent free kick, Bernardo curled a cross to the edge of the six-yard box where Nick Ansell rose highest and headed past Vukovic to seal the win.

Mariners coach Mark Jackson acknowledged it was a difficult outing for Central Coast.

“We had a lot of challenges tonight, but like with any game we’ll take the positives out of it, but it’s also an opportunity for us to get better,” he said.

- With AAP

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