“We're not looking too far ahead. This is a tight league, we have 14 points from a possible 27. There is no clear cut leader,” he told au.fourfourtwo.com at Sydney airport before flying back to Adelaide.

Pantelis's low drive on Saturday night helped sink Sydney FC 1-0. The previous week his scorching strike was the highlight of a comprehensive 4-1 demolition of Melbourne Victory.

With wins over the two previous A-League champions, the hype surrounding the reshaped Reds is building. Aurelio Vidmar's men are now in second place on the ladder just a win behind the leaders Central Coast.

In what is becoming a congested top half of the competition both Melbourne and Newcastle Jets are also on 14 points in third and fourth.

“At halftime against Sydney we changed things around as they were starting to stretch us on the wings. It worked and now we have two wins on the trot.”

Nevertheless, Pantelis, 25, was impressed by FC, but offers this advice: “Juninho needs help in the midfield. He is all class with his first touch and ability to pick out players.

“I definitely learnt a few things from just seeing him up close but he needs help around him.”

Pantelis missed last season courtesy of a torn anterior cruciate ligament injury in his knee. He was, however, a key player in season one for the Reds and he's noticed the hole that Sydney's season one marquee man Dwight Yorke has left.

“Dwight was a huge loss for Sydney," he said. "He brought so much to Sydney both on and off the park week in week out.”