The 21-year-old Kiwi forward scored the decisive goal overnight in his club's 1-0 home win over Torpedo Vladimir which sends Alania joint top ahead of third place.

With the top two promoted to Russia's Premier League it sets up a classic final home game with high flying Nizhni-Novograd on August 13 before the club plays Turkish power Besiktas in the Europa League.

Barbarouses was signed last month from Brisbane Roar where he had an outstanding season helping the club to a double winning both the A-League Premiership and the Grand Final.

Barbarouses's agent Ritchie Hinton said the striker's Russian club was delighted with its new acquisition.

"They've been impressed with his attitude and he's been training really well they say and now with this goal on debut he's got his career off to a great start in Russia."

SEE THE VIDEO OF THE GOAL HERE: