Del Piero scores four in 7-1 win

SYDNEY - The Associated Press

Del Piero. EPA photo

Former Italy and Juventus star Alessandro Del Piero scored four goals as Sydney FC routed last-place Wellington 7-1 in the A-League on Jan. 19.

Del Piero finally found form after an injury-plagued season to score in the 20th, 23rd, 39th and 70th minutes, giving Sydney an emphatic win which thrust it away from the foot of the A-League table.
 Sydney is paying Del Piero a reported $4 million on a two-year contract to be its marquee player in the 10-team Australian league. The investment seemed unwise as Sydney slumped to the bottom of the league and as Del Piero battled hamstring and other injuries.

But his form on Saturday echoed his glory days at Juventus, for whom he scored a record 513 goals in 208 premier matches.

“I felt free in my mind today for sure,” said Del Piero who lifted his tally of goals for the season to nine. “It’s a day from the heavens because when you score four, for sure it’s a great day.”