Former Adelaide United attacker Awer Mabil is certain to become the Socceroos and the FIFA World Cup’s No. 1 rags to riches story

AWER Mabil’s rise to Socceroos status is destined to feature as a perfect example of a FIFA World Cup rags to riches story — if he can cement his spot and Australia makes the cut for Russia next year.

Then-Adelaide United star Awer Mabil kicks around a soccer ball in a park in Adelaide in 2015.

AWER Mabil’s rise to Socceroos status might feature as a perfect example of a FIFA World Cup rags to-riches-story — if he can cement his spot and Australia makes the cut for Russia next year.

After publicly declaring his dream was to play for Manchester United when he started out with Adelaide United, the South Sudanese refugee has done that ambition no harm.

When Mabil congratulated his new Socceroos team-mate Aaron Mooy for scoring his first premier league goal for Huddersfield Town in a 1-0 win over Newcastle United last weekend, he again made it clear his dream English Premier League move isn’t dead.

Wish to follow your footsteps one day brother as It is my dream to play in EPL also congrats thanks for being great example. #DreamChasers https://t.co/EVskUY0CYv

— Awer Mabil (@awermabil17) August 13, 2017

“Wish to follow your footsteps one day, brother (Mooy) as it is my dream to play in EPL also congrats - thanks for being a great example,’’ Mabil posted to Mooy on his Twitter account.

After being spotted by Socceroos legend Tony Vidmar as a rising star - which led to Mabil winning a 2011 Martyn Crook Scholarship - the attacker signed for Adelaide. On Tuesday he was named for the first time in Ange Postecoglou’s final 23-man national squad.

Born in a Kenyan refugee camp, Mabil attracted the eye of Postecoglou when he made a move to Portugal’s Pacos de Ferreira - the club of former Adelaide United defender Dylan McGowan - on loan from Danish club FC Midtjylland.

He featured in 10 games, starting once for Midtjylland after making a move from Adelaide in 2015. The club then loaned him out to Esbjerg.

He started 23 from 35 matches for Esbjerg before scoring six goals in Denmark’s first division.

Mabil, 21, has started once in three games for Pacos de Ferreira and is the only uncapped player in the Socceroos squad.

He will be joined by South Australians James Troisi from Melbourne Victory and Ryan McGowan, who this week became a new Al-Sharjah FC defender.

The rich UAE club made the announcement on Twitter earlier this week.

Former Reds attackers Mat Leckie - who scored twice for Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin in a 2-0 win over Stuttgart last weekend - and Tomi Juric from Switzerland’s Luzern easily made the cut.

After facing Japan in August 31 away, Australia hosts Thailand in the final Group B clash in Melbourne on September 5.

The top two sides qualify for Russia, while third place means sudden-death play-offs.

The Socceroos sit currently third on equal points with Saudi Arabia and a point behind leader Japan. Saudi Arabia hosts Japan in the final match.

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Originally published as Former Adelaide United attacker Awer Mabil is certain to become the Socceroos and the FIFA World Cup’s No. 1 rags to riches story