If you’re good enough, you’re old enough – that’s what Adelaide United are saying with the promotion of 15-year-old Teeboy Kamara to their matchday squad. But is Kamara Australian football’s youngest debutant?
If you-re good enough, you-re old enough – that-s what Adelaide United are saying with the promotion of 15-year-old Teeboy Kamara to their matchday squad. But is Kamara Australian football-s youngest debutant?
Should Kamara take the field against Gold Coast United tonight, he will certainly become the Hyundai A-League-s youngest player to date.
At 15 years and 212 days, the promising Liberian-born Kamara will surpass Newcastle Jets- James Virgili, who was 16 years and 180 days when he made his debut against Wellington in 2009.
Previously, another Jets youngster held the record – Ben Kantarovski was 16 and 208 days when he stepped into his first game – an F3 derby impressively, back in 2008.
Sydney FC young gun Terry Antonis comes next, at 16 and 300 days when he faced Wellington in September last year.
Now Qantas Socceroos star Tommy Oar was 17 and four days when he got a berth for Brisbane Roar in 2008, while Adelaide-s previous youngest was Joe Costa at 17 years and 21 days, facing Perth in 2009.
But still none of these talented youngsters can claim the title of Australian football-s youngest – that goes to Daniel Watkins, who debuted at 14 years and 268 days for Parramatta Melita in the National Soccer League back in 1995.
Will we ever see a 14-year-old in the A-League? If they-re good enough…
Hyundai A-League youngest debutants
16y 180d James Virgili Newcastle Jets (L0-3 v Wellington) 04-Jan-09
16y 208d Ben Kantarovski Newcastle Jets (D1-1 v Central Coast) 15-Aug-08
16y 300d Terry Antonis Sydney FC (L1-2 v Wellington) 11-Sep-10
17y 4d Tommy Oar Brisbane Roar (W2-1 v Newcastle) 14-Dec-08
17y 21d Joe Costa Adelaide United (W1-0 v Perth) 07-Aug-09
NSL youngest debutants
14y 268d Daniel Watkins (Parramatta Melita) 1995
15y 166d Peter Raskopoulos (Sydney Olympic) 1977
15y 212d Scott McDonald (Morwell Falcons) 1999
15y 228d Jim Patikas (Sydney City) 1979
15y 282d Jay Lucas (Wollongong Wolves) 2000
