Australia Cup 2022: Oakleigh Cannons hand debut to 13yo in loss to Macarthur Bulls

Oakleigh Cannons sprung a major surprise in the semi-final of the Australia Cup, handing a debut to a 13-year-old goalkeeper in their clash against A-League club Macarthur FC.

Ymer Abili, right, played in the Australia Cup.

Oakleigh Cannons made 13-year-old goalkeeper Ymer Abili the youngest Australia Cup player in history with a shock debut in the club’s semi-final against A-League club Macarthur FC.

The Victorian side was trailing 5-2 in injury time when coach Chris Taylor introduced Abili, who is said to play for Oakleigh’s under-14 team.

Reactions ranged from “madness” to “he can barely fill up the goal”, but Abili, who replaced former A-League goalkeeper Lewis Italiano, kept a clean sheet during his brief cameo as the match finished 5-2.

Ymer Abili is substituted into the game to replace Cannons goalkeeper Lewis Italiano. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Abili also featured on the bench in Oakleigh’s upset win over Sydney FC.

“In the 85th minute ... He (Oakleigh coach Chris Taylor) said, ‘warm up’. I was buzzing, so happy,” Abili told Network 10 post-game. “I had no nerves. I was just excited to go on, to make history.”

The Cannons hailed his debut as “an historical (sic) moment for our club and for the Australia Cup”.

The magic of the cup. 14 year old keeper Ymer Abili coming on against @mfcbulls. Love to see it. @AustraliaCuppic.twitter.com/RayTkdZupH

— Dan Batten (@danbatten_) September 14, 2022

💥FULL-TIME 💥

It was tough night for our boys after our Grand Final win and we are extremely proud!
What an incredible night to see our 14 year old keeper Abili make his debut!!
An historical moment for our club and for the Australia Cup!!

— Oakleigh Cannons FC (@oakcannonsfc) September 14, 2022

How good is that @oakcannonsfc hand Abili a 14 year old his debut..xmb @mfcbulls@AustraliaCup

— Mark Bosnich (@TheRealBozza) September 14, 2022

WHAT A MOMENT!

Ymer Abili, just 13 years old! 🤯

The youngest ever to make an appearance in the #AustraliaCup!

🎥: @10FootballAU#AustraliaCup#MagicOfTheCup#OAKvMACpic.twitter.com/GzgNUPju6s

— Australia Cup (@AustraliaCup) September 14, 2022

Unfortunately for the young gun, his debut did not have the fairytale ending Oakleigh wanted.

The Cannons’ giant-killing run came to an end, after they were sent crashing down to earth by a rampant Macarthur outfit, who continued its undefeated start under new boss Dwight Yorke to secure a place in a maiden Australia Cup final.

The Bulls showcased their class in key moments to sink the newly crowned NPL Victoria champions in-front of 5200 vocal supporters at Jack Edwards Reserve, with new signing Daniel Arzani particularly standing out with a Man of the Match showing.

Ymer Abili kept a clean sheet in his stint on the field. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

After an ill-fated stint overseas since leaving Melbourne City in 2018, Arzani showed signs of the player who burst onto the scene at the World Cup — scoring a brace and looking like a threat each time he got on the ball.

“[I’m] getting minutes, getting confidence. It’s been unbelievable for me working with the gaffer (Yorke),” Arzani said. “He’s got a way with us boys. He’s keeping everyone happy, he’s keeping everyone playing at their best.

“I’m really loving my football for the first time in a while.”

After going a goal behind as a result of a Joe Guest wonder-strike, the Bulls upped the ante with five goals in just over 20 minutes, as braces from Arzani and Ulises Davila, and a solitary goal from Jake Hollman proved to be the difference, with Yorke’s charges playing the role of spoiler to a potential first-ever all-NPL Cup final.

Daniel Arzani scored twice in Macarthur FC’s 5-2 win against Oakleigh Cannons. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

As a result of the 5-2 win, Macarthur will compete for their first-ever piece of silverware against NPL New South Wales outfit Sydney United on October 1, in a Western Sydney derby with the venue to be decided in the coming days.

Despite the thrashing, Oakleigh can hold their heads high after a sensational campaign, which saw them battle through a treacherous schedule which included playing 13 games in 60 days to end their campaign across three different competitions.

And it seemed as if the newly minted NPL Victoria champions would enact yet another ‘cupset’, having knocked off Sydney FC a fortnight ago at the same venue when they took the lead through Guest to send the home fans into raptures.

Cannons goalkeeper Ymer Abili with teammates Nicolas Niagioran, left, and Wade Dekker Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

But the toll of big game, after big game seemingly took its toll on the semi-professional outfit, who were dealt a hammer blow to their already decimated back-line — losing defender Aryn Williams to a suspected ACL injury just prior to the floodgates opening.

Macarthur fans will take great confidence into the final, as they fly the flag of the A-Leagues in the decider against yet another NPL opposition, but also given the form of their fleet-footed front-line which has caught the eye in the early days of Yorke’s tenure.

OAKLEIGH 2 (Guest 24’, Dekker 81’)

MACARTHUR 5 (Davila 44’, 64’, Arzani 45+4, 55, Hollman 58’)

Venue: Jack Edwards Reserve