He was just a kid. Some National Premier League youngster from Victoria, dressed in orange.
Substituted for Oakleigh’s keeper late in the dying minutes their Australia Cup semi-final on Wednesday night.
Yet, he made headlines across the country.
Waiting patiently on the sidelines was Ymer Abili. Some pundits said he was 14 years-old, others 13. Already, the legendary tales had started.
When the vocal Jack Edward Reserve crowd roared, first-choice keeper Lewis Italiano acknowledged the Cannon’s faithful. Smiling, he could see Abili pacing in the distance, wearing his gloves. A reassuring pat on the shoulder by his coach followed. It was time.
Knowing he was being substituted, a beaming Italiano marched up to his fellow goalie, ruffling Abili’s mop of dark hair. Although looking identical in matching jerseys, a difference in height suddenly became apparent, as the six-foot-three Italiano towered over the lucky tyke.
As Abili ran past the temporary video camera scaffolding, social media buzzed with excitement. A few fans commented about the intimidating size of the goalmouth. Others speculated if he was the youngest ever Australia Cup player.
In the end, our newest football sensation let his proud mother do the talking.
“I was a nervous wreck,” she grinned, speaking to reporters after the event.
When quizzed on her son’s inclusion, it was discovered Ymer was asked to join the bench a few weeks ago, during Oakleigh’s quarter-final match with Sydney FC.
Apparently, the phone call from management had come just before mealtime.
“We were eating dinner,” Mrs Abili continued, reminiscing. “I nearly choked on my food!”
When reporters asked our young shot-stopper if he should have come on earlier, Abili cheerfully shrugged, slightly bemused.
“I was buzzing,” he said, having been told to warm up in the 85th minute. “So happy.”
And he was, standing next to his proud mum.
“Just excited to go on,” he resumed, dismissing any apprehension projected by the circling commentary team.
Macarthur might have convincingly won the match 5-2, but it was Abili who put his memorable stamp on the occasion.
“Make history,” he simply stated, referring to his age. “That’s it.”
The Australia Cup final will be held in Sydney on Saturday, October 1. Macarthur takes on Sydney United. The venue is yet to be confirmed.
A return plane ticket from Melbourne Airport to Kingsford Smith will set you back a few hundred dollars. More if you’re going business class.
Or, if the Bulls come to the party, it could be complimentary. That’s one way how to celebrate football’s newest hero, because the Australia Cup needs all the positive attention it can get.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Cheers, Tony. I typed away, inspired by the fledgling goal keeper. When the excitement of sport enters your thoughts, sleep can happily wait.
Brendan
Roar Pro
I can only speculate, but it seems like a final hurrah from Oakleigh’s managerial team. One last celebration, to get the crowd excited, after last week’s Victorian NPL grand final win. For the Cannons, it ends the season on a high.
Brendan
Roar Pro
The online chatter it created has been top-notch. Up until the World Cup, the media will most likely have a romantic fling with football. The next few months are crucial for the A-League.
Brendan
Roar Pro
With all due respect to Oakleigh, the finest response Macarthur could have mustered, would have been scoring more goals in the dying minutes. Sincerely. I’m talking about a volley of ambushed shots, peppering the Cannon’s defence. Quite the introduction to professional football.
Brendan
Roar Pro
It’ll be close. Sydney United have more time to prepare. Plus, the Bulls only scored three goals (out of 5) last night in open play. Two were penalties. I’m still barracking for Macarthur.
Grem
Roar Rookie
It was a moment that could have backfired badly. I loved seeing it and was smiling as much as the keeper, but if someone had instinctively gone for a shot, it could have been ugly. I’m hoping at 5-2 up, the Bulls would have just given him catching practice.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Thats the really weird thing at least against Sydney FC he was the actual reserve, I dont know how you have 7 keepers out but they do, Lewis Italiano was brought in. Whether he was still the only option in this game I dont know but certainly if Italiano had got injured he was coming on. If Muscat had been playing or coaching , there is no way Italiano would have survived the first half. I wonder how many of those players were injured against Bentleigh Greens the local thugs team, I know Sydney FC seem to have ended up with a couple of players missing after Bentleigh.
Tony Harper
Editor
Great story thanks!
Jack Russell
Roar Guru
It's a bit gimmicky I have to say. Clearly the kid wasn't there on merit alone, the game was over. I can't entirely blame the club for putting him on as it does give them much needed publicity, but it also makes it seem a bit Mickey mouse.
chris
Guest
Not sure what this was all about. I guess it got some publicity. And good to see Bulls played a short corner and were never going to put the ball in the box with a 13yo as a gk.
Rollo Tomasi
Guest
Personally I think it's high-time we stop overanalysing these things; it's not like Oakleigh conspired to have all their usual sub 'keepers unavailable for this on purpose.
Sheffield WesDay
Roar Rookie
On Tv this looked like a really great moment for Football, but on reflection I feel it did nothing for the professionalism of the AUS cup, or football in general in Australia which is continually fighting for respect and to be taken seriously not only internationally but by our own fans. Does anyone else feel the stunt cheapened the game? I don't want to sound like a hater, and I was thrilled for the boy as I sat there thinking this is a dream come true for any young footballer. The crowed clearly loved it, but it does not look great for an NPL side who cant find an appropriate second keeper in their club for this game, and I felt it also showed disrespect to MacArthur who had earned their goals and were now what?? ..... expected to take it easy against the kid should they have got on goal again, or else look like brutes for potentially smashing home a goal against a child in the final 5 mins?? Am I way off the mark here? Just a little confused about the whole spectacle.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
A all NPL final would have been great, anyway this is gonna be a good grand final that Im sure SU58 will win.