Mohamed Toure wrote his name into Adelaide footballing folklore on Friday night, becoming the Hyundai A-League’s youngest ever goalscorer aged just 15 years and 325 days.
Toure – the younger brother of Adelaide forward Al Hassan – needed just seven minutes to steal the show at Coopers Stadium by playing a pivotal part in setting up George Blackwood’s stunning opening goal, before bringing the house down by tucking Riley McGree’s cutback home.
The two quickfire strikes gave Gertjan Verbeek’s side a 2-0 win over Central Coast Mariners which tightens the Reds’ grip in the Hyundai A-League top six.
With older brother sidelined for the rest of the season due to injury, Mohamed was given a chance to impress by Verbeek in last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Brisbane Roar.
READ: Blackwood stunner and historic Toure goal sees Adelaide stun Mariners
And five days after becoming the competition’s third youngest debutant at Suncorp Stadium, Toure had his name up in lights – on the same pitch older brother Al Hassan had written the headlines in Adelaide’s FFA Cup 2019 Final triumph over Melbourne City.
FOX Sports pundit Andy Harper said it was another watershed moment for football in the City of Churches.
“This is such a special place. It has generated some unbelievable players, unbelievable football culture going right back to the NSL has generated some unbelievable teams and coaches,” he said.
“And then through the A-League era, some incredible nights, Champions League nights, cup nights, knockout finals nights.
Youngest Aus men's national league scorers:
15y 289d Danny Wright (Bris Lions) 17-Aug-80
15y 294d MOHAMED TOURE (Adelaide Utd) #ADLvCCM
15y 316d Nick Carle (Sydney Olympic) 05-Oct-97
15y 356d John Markovski (Sunshine) 06-Apr-86
16y 154d Paul Agostino (West Adel) 10-Nov-91— andrew howe (@AndyHowe_statto) February 14, 2020
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6132551648001
“This year, we’ve seen the emergence of these two African Australians bursting onto the scene. They’ve been so exciting.
“It’s just the tip of the iceberg to what Adelaide has contributed to football in this country.
“And it’s just the tip of the iceberg of what’s lying in wake in these football communities right around Australia.
Verbeek added: “He [Mohamed] gave the team new energy. I hope that other young players see that you get a chance at Adelaide United and want to come to the academy.”
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Round 20
Western Sydney Wanderers v Adelaide United
Friday, 21 February
Bankwest Stadium
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEDT
Central Coast Mariners v Sydney FC
Sunday, 23 February
Central Coast Stadium
Kick-off: 6pm AEDT
