http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/184111,young-roo-amini-runs-red-hot.aspx
Young Roo Amini Runs Red Hot
EXCLUSIVE: All eyes were on Central Coast's Patricio Perez but it was 17-year-old Young Socceroo playmaker Mustafa Amini who stole the show in Thursday's friendly between the sides in Gosford.
The Mariners defeated Australia's U/20s 1-0 courtesy of a scrappy goal from the Argentine playmaker Perez in a match played behind closed doors at Bluetongue stadium.
But the young Roos had their own diminutive number ten in Amini who put in an eye-catching display of guile despite being one of the smallest players on the park.
Playing just behind main striker Eli Babalj, Amini hit the bar in the second half with a scorching shot and generally dictated play in the attacking third.
He repeatedly set up opportunities with clever balls in behind the Mariners defensive line and by game's end, the kid from western Sydney with the Nicaraguan mother and Afghani-born father had outshone starman Perez despite being on the losing side.
Amini is on the fringes of Graham Arnold's Central Coast first team and it was Young Socceroos coach Jan Versleijen who challenged his player to show he deserved a spot in the Coast's first team.
"I joked a little before the game saying I want to see who is better today, Perez or Mustafa," a beaming Versleijen told au.fourfourtwo.com.
"But he's a smart player, he's a good player, a lot of talent and he will get on a higher level."
The Young Socceroo coach added: "He has get a little more consistent and strong, but he's only 17 so that will come."
Amini told au.fourfourtwo.com that the playmaker role was his favoured position. And one of his role models was in fact a Mariner.
"Zidane is one of my role models. And Perez. It's good having him at the club, I've learned a lot from him," he said.
"How he finds space, one-twos, all that stuff. Just learning off him, watching him train. Arnie told him to help me out a bit so he tells me what to do which is good."
And Amini earnt praise from his teammates too.
"Musty played well today," Young Socceroo striker Kerem Bulut told au.fourfourtwo.com.
"I like to play with Musty, he's a good little player. For a striker it's good to have a player like him. He can play little balls in behind."
If the Young Socceroos do qualify for next year's U/20 World Cup in Colombia - they need to finish in the top four of the AFC U/19 Championships which kick off next month in China - A-League fans may never get a chance to admire this potentially fabulous playmaker with a heritage as unique as his ‘fro.
"It's hard but hopefully I get a chance and prove myself and let Arnie decide after that," Amini added when quizzed on his first team chances at Bluetongue.
"I'll just keep training hard and hopefully get on the bench and come on some time.
"Right now, I just want to play A-League, get on the bench, playing regularly then hopefully make the World Youth Cup next year and you never know, play a good game and hopefully one day go overseas and make a living out of it.
"But right now I'm living at home."
However, Amini's hairstyle - a unique red afro - had made less of an impression with Bulut drawing comparisons with a certain fast food character.
"For me I don't like it! No way, that's not my type of look. But for him, it looks alright," he said. "He could probably work for McDonalds!"
Young Roo Amini Runs Red Hot
EXCLUSIVE: All eyes were on Central Coast's Patricio Perez but it was 17-year-old Young Socceroo playmaker Mustafa Amini who stole the show in Thursday's friendly between the sides in Gosford.
The Mariners defeated Australia's U/20s 1-0 courtesy of a scrappy goal from the Argentine playmaker Perez in a match played behind closed doors at Bluetongue stadium.
But the young Roos had their own diminutive number ten in Amini who put in an eye-catching display of guile despite being one of the smallest players on the park.
Playing just behind main striker Eli Babalj, Amini hit the bar in the second half with a scorching shot and generally dictated play in the attacking third.
He repeatedly set up opportunities with clever balls in behind the Mariners defensive line and by game's end, the kid from western Sydney with the Nicaraguan mother and Afghani-born father had outshone starman Perez despite being on the losing side.
Amini is on the fringes of Graham Arnold's Central Coast first team and it was Young Socceroos coach Jan Versleijen who challenged his player to show he deserved a spot in the Coast's first team.
"I joked a little before the game saying I want to see who is better today, Perez or Mustafa," a beaming Versleijen told au.fourfourtwo.com.
"But he's a smart player, he's a good player, a lot of talent and he will get on a higher level."
The Young Socceroo coach added: "He has get a little more consistent and strong, but he's only 17 so that will come."
Amini told au.fourfourtwo.com that the playmaker role was his favoured position. And one of his role models was in fact a Mariner.
"Zidane is one of my role models. And Perez. It's good having him at the club, I've learned a lot from him," he said.
"How he finds space, one-twos, all that stuff. Just learning off him, watching him train. Arnie told him to help me out a bit so he tells me what to do which is good."
And Amini earnt praise from his teammates too.
"Musty played well today," Young Socceroo striker Kerem Bulut told au.fourfourtwo.com.
"I like to play with Musty, he's a good little player. For a striker it's good to have a player like him. He can play little balls in behind."
If the Young Socceroos do qualify for next year's U/20 World Cup in Colombia - they need to finish in the top four of the AFC U/19 Championships which kick off next month in China - A-League fans may never get a chance to admire this potentially fabulous playmaker with a heritage as unique as his ‘fro.
"It's hard but hopefully I get a chance and prove myself and let Arnie decide after that," Amini added when quizzed on his first team chances at Bluetongue.
"I'll just keep training hard and hopefully get on the bench and come on some time.
"Right now, I just want to play A-League, get on the bench, playing regularly then hopefully make the World Youth Cup next year and you never know, play a good game and hopefully one day go overseas and make a living out of it.
"But right now I'm living at home."
However, Amini's hairstyle - a unique red afro - had made less of an impression with Bulut drawing comparisons with a certain fast food character.
"For me I don't like it! No way, that's not my type of look. But for him, it looks alright," he said. "He could probably work for McDonalds!"
