Football Federation Australia may be set for a tug of war over teen sensation Al Hassan Toure
Australia’s most exciting football prospect could be lost in an international fight over his services — with the issue set to come to a head next month.
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The Olyroos look set to call up Al Hassan Toure for a November tournament, sparking an international tug of war for the breakout striking sensation.
The Guinea-born product grew up in Adelaide but has attracted interest from Liberia, where his parents emanate from, with coach Peter Butler contacting Adelaide United with a view to calling him up to the senior national team.
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Graham Arnold, who is in charge of both the Socceroos and Olyroos, is cautious about prematurely rushing Toure into the senior set up, but conscious of the international interest in the teen.
Toure announced himself in the FFA Cup final, which was beamed into more than 15 countries, scoring a sublime opener, providing a second assist and playing a key role in the third, as he was overcome with emotion.
Draped in a Liberian flag during the FFA Cup final celebrations, Toure is now firmly on the radar of the African nation which produced George Weah.
A Football Federation Australia spokesman confirmed Toure is wanted by Australia.
“Al Hassan Toure is on the Australian national team radar after his great performances early this season,’’ the spokesman said.
“Al Hassan will be selected in an Australia U-23 squad to travel to China next month for friendly matches.
“Australia’s matches in China will form part of the process for the coaching staff to finalise Australia’s squad for the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship to be held in Thailand in January — a tournament that doubles as the qualifiers for the men’s football competition at Tokyo 2020.”
Liberia’s English coach Butler confirmed the Liberian Football Federation was in the process of sending an official letter to Adelaide United, with club officials confirming the contact.
Butler was appointed coach in August as Liberia aims to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 2022 for the first time.
“I know quite a bit about him (Toure),’’ Butler, 53, said.
“I think Al Hassan Toure has certainly qualities to people I have spoken to and he has made it quite clear that he wants to play for Liberia.
“I have had a chat with my administration manager to write an official letter to Adelaide United.
“If he (Toure) wants to play for Liberia 100 per cent we’ll call him.
“There’s quite a few like him (with Liberian heritage).
“There’s a lad at Leeds United who is in a similar scenario Nohan Kenneh he was with the England youth (national team) and then there’s another lad at Athletic Bilbao Iñaki Williams he played one friendly game for Spain.”
Toure, who arrived in Australia age four, said he was open-minded about which country he represented after the FFA Cup final win.
“It would be great to play for my country (Liberia) but also Australia gave me opportunities,” Toure said.
Butler — a 450 games professional in the English leagues with West Ham, West Bromwich Albion, Huddersfield Town and Halifax Town has been studying Australian players closely since he had a two-year stint in WA soccer.
Butler coached Sorrento FC to a WA title and established the club’s youth academy at the turn of the century.
“Australia is still waiting for the next Harry Kewell or Mark Viduka,’’ Butler said.
“The nearest one we have in West Yorkshire is Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield) and he’s left and gone to Brighton and Hove Albion (on loan).”