He’s only played a total of 30 minutes of Hyundai A-League action but Mohamed Toure has already written his name into the competition’s folklore.
When the Adelaide United youngster swept home Riley McGree’s cross at Coopers Stadium, not only did it ice the victory against Central Coast Mariners but also set a new Hyundai A-League record.
Toure’s strike ensured the Reds’ 2-0 win over the Mariners and in the process he became the competition’s youngest-ever goalscorer at 15 years and 325 days.
Having made his debut a week earlier with a spectacular cameo against Brisbane Roar, coach Gertjan Verbeek sent the talented teen on with 13 minutes left and scores locked at 0-0.
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His presence immediately gave the Reds more impetus, with George Blackwood scoring a spectacular opener soon after before Toure scored with his very first shot in the Hyundai A-League.
“It feels surreal. I never thought I’d do it in a million years – not at 15,” Toure said after the match.
“It’s an amazing feeling, especially at home in front of the friends and family.”
CORRECTION! Youngest Aus men's national league scorers
15y 289d Danny Wright (Bris Lions) 17-Aug-80
15y 316d Nick Carle (Syd Olympic) 05-Oct-97
15y 325d MOHAMED TOURE (Adelaide Utd) #ADLvCCM
15y 356d John Markovski (Sunshine) 06-Apr-86
16y 154d Paul Agostino (West Adel) 10-Nov-91— andrew howe (@AndyHowe_statto) February 14, 2020
What a night for @AdelaideUnited's Mohamed Toure who becomes the youngest goal scorer in @ALeague history at 15 years, 325 days!#ADLvCCM #ALeague
— Fox Sports Lab (@FoxSportsLab) February 14, 2020
MORE: Verbeek reveals 15-year old sensation made defenders ‘struggle’ in training
ANALYSIS: 15 years, 325 days: Toure becomes the Hyundai A-League’s youngest scorer
While Toure’s goal was a record in the Hyundai A-League, he’s the third youngest scorer in Australian national league history behind Brisbane Lions’ Danny Wright 15 years 289 days and Nick Carle of Sydney Olympic 15 years 316 days.
Toure is not the only player in fine form at the Reds, with Riley McGree providing assists for both goals against the Mariners. It means McGree has now been directly involved in nine goals in his last six matches against Central Coast, scoring four times and assisting five.
But the Mariners can count themselves a little unlucky not to have taken something from the match, having fired off 23 shots at goal on Friday night.
It was the club’s best tally in a match since they took 27 shots against Perth Glory in 2015 and also the second most by a single team this season (Western United had 27 against Newcastle Jets).
REPORT: Blackwood screamer and historic Toure goal sees Adelaide stun Mariners
REACTION: 15-year-old Toure stunned by goal but brother Al Hassan always believed
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6132551648001
What’s going wrong at Western United FC?
When you are a new team playing in your very first Hyundai A-League campaign, you can always expect the side to experience a range of peaks and troughs.
And it’s certainly the case for Mark Rudan’s Western United FC who – after a sensational start to life in the Hyundai A-League – have worryingly slid down the ladder.
Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Brisbane Roar means United have now picked up just five points from a possible 21, with one win in seven games.
They have now dropped four points outside of the top six ahead of a tough trip to Wellington in Round 20.
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In contrast, Robbie Fowler’s Roar are flying. The boys from Brisbane have lost just one of their last eight games and look good things for finals football.
It’s their away form which has really improved in recent weeks, having won three of their last five games on their travels. That’s the same amount of victories they managed in their previous 23 away games.
Western United defender Oskar Dillon did create his own piece of history though against Roar, became the club’s first player to make 100+ successful passes in a single match with 111 at Mars Stadium.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6132923304001
Petratos’ form offers ray of hope for Jets
Newcastle Jets continued their mini resurgence, coming away with a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday night.
Matthew Millar scored the goal that salvaged a point in Carl Robinson’s first match in charge, but it was Dimitri Petratos that stood out for the Hunter club.
After scoring a brace in the win over the Mariners the previous week, Petratos was again Newcastle’s most influential attacking player at Bankwest Stadium.
He created a team-high five scoring chances against the Wanderers and leads the Hyundai A-League in this category with 63 for the season, 11 ahead of the next best in Brisbane Roar’s Jay O’Shea (52).
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For the Wanderers, while they avoided defeat in front of their fans, they have now gone six games in a row without a win on home soil.
It’s the club’s worst run of home form in their history and something they will need to fix quickly with Adelaide United coming to town on Friday night.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6132804157001
Stingy Marinovic helping Phoenix rise
Wellington Phoenix stayed in the race for a top-two finish with a priceless 1-0 win over Melbourne City in Auckland on Saturday.
Goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic played a key role in the win – and clean sheet – making seven saves for the match at Eden Park.
Only three goalkeepers – Central Coast’s Mark Birighitti (9), Sydney FC’s Andrew Redmayne (8) and Wanderers’ Daniel Lopar (8) – have made more in a single game this season.
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Phoenix have now gone seven games at home without defeat, winning six of those matches with the other a 2-2 draw with league-leaders Sydney FC.
It’s the club’s best run in front of their own fans since a nine-game unbeaten stretch from October 2014 to March 2015.
While Phoenix are enjoying their home comforts, the same can’t be said for City when they are on their travels. Erick Mombaerts’ men are winless in their last four Hyundai A-League away matches (one draw and three losses), after winning three of their five road trips prior.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6132786031001
