Schoolkid by day, Adelaide United’s Steven Hall is the youngest goalkeeper in A-League men’s history

When he was called on to the field for Adelaide United, this 16-year-old was “in shock”. Now he’s made history as the youngest men’s A-League goalkeeper.

Adelaide United schoolkid Steven Hall could not believe what was unfolding.

Named as the Reds’ second-choice goalkeeper for the first time after illness to two of those ahead of him, including one who had Covid-19, the 16-year-old was warming up on the sidelines of the A-League clash against Wellington Phoenix on New Year’s Day when No.1 shot stopper James Delianov hit the deck.

“I was in the middle of my warm-up on the sidelines, enjoying the home crowd and atmosphere, and I saw ‘Delly’ go down,’’ said Hall, usually United’s fourth-choice gloveman.

“I forgot my gloves on the bench, so I ran back to the bench in disbelief, thinking ‘This cannot be happening’. I was so nervous and probably in shock really.’’

Hall entered the Coopers Stadium clash after 31 minutes when Delianov was substituted with a dislocated shoulder after a collision with Phoenix’s Ben Waine.

His sudden and unexpected call-up resulted in him becoming the youngest goalkeeper in A-League men’s history at 16 years and 350 days.

Adelaide United’s new 16-year-old goalkeeper Steven Hall. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Hall stepped up to the plate, impressively keeping a clean sheet as the Reds won 4-0 – their biggest A-League home win since trouncing Newcastle Jets 7-0 seven years ago.

“Unbelievable (performance), I’m very happy for him because he’s been training with us for a long time,’’ said United’s Spanish maestro Isaias.

A nervous Hall said his sole focus was on keeping the clean sheet that Delianov had preserved. “I was pretty happy to do that,’’ he said.

“I didn’t have a lot to do in the game but I think what I had to do I did well, which was shown with the clean sheet.’’

Hall produced a fine save just before half-time and was cheered by the home fans with every touch he had as he helped the Reds keep just their second clean sheet of the campaign.

The 187cm keeper retained his spot to make his starting debut against Melbourne Victory in Wednesday’s 2-1 FFA Cup quarter-final home loss.

He again looked composed and assured, with Victory’s second goal coming from the penalty spot.

Hall has flown to Melbourne with United for Saturday night’s A-League clash against Victory uncertain whether he or second choice keeper Joe Gauci, who had Covid-19, or No.3 Ethan Cox will be given the No.1 stopping job. Regardless, Hall has already made his mark.

A Year 12 student at SEDA College, his life is about to change.

Steven Hall – ‘I was so nervous and probably in shock’ – but he kept a clean sheet. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Steven Hall during the round seven A-League Men's match between Adelaide United and Wellington Phoenix at Coopers Stadium, on January 1. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

Due to his Reds morning training commitments, he already has organised with his school to start at noon and catch up on study after hours.

“It won’t be easy having to go to training and miss the first part of the school day, trying to catch up on that work, but it’s my dream to play professional soccer and the school has been very supportive in helping me with that,’’ Hall said.

Remarkably, Hall became a goalkeeper purely through a twist of fate.

He started his soccer journey with Modbury Vista’s under-8s as a striker but put his hand up to fill in as a goalkeeper one day when the team’s regular keeper failed to turn up for a game.

Hall quickly became hooked. Upon moving from Modbury to Para Hills Knights’ under-12s, he took up goalkeeping on a full-time basis.

From there he joined Adelaide City and then the SA NTC program before being snapped up by the Reds two years ago.

Mentored by Adelaide assistant and former A-League goalkeeper of the year Eugene Galekovic – “He’s been great for me,’’ Hall said – the teenager’s goalkeeping hero is Atletico Madrid keeper Jan Oblak.

Like Oblak, Hall aspires to play in Europe, particularly the English Premier League, where he supports Newcastle United.

“That’s the long-term goal and something I’ll push hard to try to achieve,’’ he said.