Year 10 Maribyrnong Sports Academy student Idrus Abdulahi has made his first team debut for Melbourne City Football Club and in doing so has become the fifth youngest player in the history of Australian football to make his senior debut.
Idrus was named on the bench at the start of the A-League season, but had to wait until the final round of the year to finally run onto the park. He did that on Friday night in Melbourne City’s 5-0 win against Central Coast Mariners at AAMI Park when coach Warren Joyce brought on the 15 year old at the 81st minute of the game.
The Midfielder playing a big part in City’s 5th goal with a sublime cross to Ramy Najjarine.
At 15 years and 220 days old, Idrus is the youngest player to debut for Melbourne City in the A-League and is now setting his sights on September’s FIFA Under-17 World Cup, after his impressive 15-minute cameo.
Idrus happy to now have that record against his name.
''I was training with the first team the whole week and the gaffer told me I might get a chance and to be ready.'
''I thought I was dreaming, I thought I was in my bedroom last night. I was tapping myself the whole game. Jamo [captain Scott Jamieson] looked after me, told me where to be, the team really helped me out.
''I was going to cry when Ramy scored that one. The gaffer told me to get that ball, I did a one-two with Lachie [Wales], so I am very happy.''
''My goal now is to represent the Joeys in the next World Cup,'' he says.
City coach Warren Joyce happy with the youngsters debut..
“The young kid Idrus did well when he came on. He didn’t look like a little schoolboy, he put Matt Simon on his arse and broke away for the fifth goal and showed a lot of character, composure and willingness to run for the team,” Joyce said.
“Pleasing for him to come on and give a good account of himself.”
All of us here at Maribyrnong Sports Academy and Maribyrnong College congratulate Idrus on his achievement and wish him all the best in the A-League Finals.