Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna described Azor Matusiwa’s thunderous winner against Hull City as a defining moment in the season, praising both the quality of the strike and the midfielder’s growing influence on the squad.
The Dutchman’s first goal for the club arrived in the 71st minute, a rising drive into the top corner that broke open a tense contest at Portman Road and secured a third straight victory for the Blues.
“What a brilliant moment for Azor,” Kieran McKenna said. “It’s a brilliant moment for the team and for the club really.”
The win lifts Ipswich three points clear of Hull, moves them back up to third, and keeps them within striking distance of second‑placed Middlesbrough with a game in hand.
Kieran McKenna emphasised the importance of individuals stepping up in tight games, especially during the promotion run‑in.
“We’ve won a good amount of games this year, but how many have we won off a player stepping up with a big moment that is the clear difference in the scoreline? Tonight was definitely one of those, and you need them over the course of the season.”
He added that such moments often become the ones teams look back on if the campaign ends successfully.
“Hopefully, if you have a good season, you remember those big moments. We’ve had them over the last few years here, and that was definitely another brilliant moment tonight.”
Azor Matusiwa, signed from Rennes for £7.8 million last summer, has quickly become a fan favourite. Kieran McKenna highlighted not just his performances but his professionalism and influence behind the scenes.
“He’s an outstanding person, player, leader,” Kieran McKenna said. “He’s a proper standard‑bearer in how he looks after himself and how he trains. You see how he competes, but he’s a great human off it and a great team‑mate.”
Kieran McKenna admitted the match was far from straightforward, with Hull sitting deep, slowing the game down and limiting space.
“It was a tough game, a frustrating game,” he said. “A team came with good players and sat with 11 so deep. It’s very rarely going to be a fantastic game of football when that happens.”
He felt Town improved after the break, moving the ball more quickly and building sustained pressure leading up to the goal.
“The second half was better. We started to pick through them a little bit quicker and cleaner and build the pressure right up to the point of the goal.”
However, he acknowledged the closing stages were nervy.
“Honestly, we didn’t see the game out fantastically well… but that’s a lesson. It wasn’t perfect, but it’s a great way to win it with a big moment like that.”
