Mohamed Toure marked his first professional start with a goal to give Adelaide United a 1-0 win over fierce rivals Melbourne Victory in a tempestuous contest on Saturday night.
At 16 years and 303 days, Toure is the youngest ever Red to begin an A-League game and he immediately showed his undeniable potential, despite missing two great chances.
He had a guilt-edge opportunity inside two minutes before hitting the side netting when through on goal but atoned after half-time with a fabulous 53rd minute finish.
Adelaide dominated a lot of the second-half to secure a fifth consecutive home win over the Victorians and a third clean sheet in their opening four games to start the A-League 2020/21 season.
United began on the front foot as Toure was brilliantly denied by a diving stop from Max Crocombe in the opening exchanges.
Victory responded with a glorious chance of their own when Jake Brimmer’s set-piece was headed onto the post by Rudy Gestede.
It would be the centre-forward’s final involvement as he was replaced for Elvis Kamsoba due to an apparent injury.
Ben Halloran wish he had his effort again when he was unable to generate enough contact to beat the Victory shot-stopper 30 minutes in.
Spanish defender, Javi López made his long anticipated debut when he was introduced at half-time and made an immediate impact with an assist for Toure from right-back.
The dynamic attacker outmuscled his Victory defender before clinically curling his finish into the bottom far corner.
Tempers flared in the second-half with a number of flashpoints, though it was the Reds who held their nerve and bounced back in immense style to record its second triumph of the campaign.
Victory threatened on the counter but many of their incursions never produced a clear-cut chance.
Team news
Carl Veart made three changes from the midweek loss to Perth Glory with the Reds switching between a 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 formation. Mohamed Toure became the youngest ever player start for the Club following 12 substitute appearances when he featured on the wing to form an attacking trio There was also a first game of the season for Ryan Kitto, who featured in left midfield, while Ryan Strain returned from injury at the expense of right-back Michael Marrone.
Key moments
2’ | CHANCE! Toure goes on a run from the left flank and is through on goal but his shot is saved by Crocombe.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6225543464001
8’ | CHANCE: Gestede hits the base of the upright and the ball swivels across the goal-line before it is cleared.
11’ | CHANCE! Halloran plays through Toure and his one-on-one attempt crashes into the side net.
30’ | CHANCE! The ball is laid back to an unmarked Halloran but he cannot generate enough power to trouble the ‘keeper.
53’ | GOAL! Toure latches onto López’s forward pass and through persistence beats the defender and scores in emphatic fashion.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6225544666001
66′ | SAVE! Delianov parries Kamsoba’s shot away to safety.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6225545426001
Match details:
Game date: Saturday, 23 January
A-League 2020/21 – Matchweek 05
Adelaide United 1 (M. Toure 53’)
Melbourne Victory 0
Venue: Coopers Stadium
Crowd: 8,133
