Oakleigh Cannons' fairy-tale run in the Australia Cup may have come to an end, but 13-year-old goalkeeper Ymer Abili’s footballing dream has only begun.
The 3-2 Australia Cup defeat against A-League side Macarthur FC draws a historic week to a close for the club, after defeating South Melbourne 5-0 on Sunday to claim the 2022 NPL Championship.
Ymer first received his call-up to the main squad for Oakleigh’s Australia Cup Semi-Final clash with Sydney FC when the club was faced with a goalkeeper injury crisis.
The Cannons flew in former A-League keeper Lewis Italiano to take the reigns in goals while elevating young Ymer to the bench.
Ymer said he was “buzzing” when head coach Chris Taylor told him to warm up in the 85th minute.
“I was so happy,” Ymer told Channel 10 post-match.
“I had no nerves basically, I was just excited to go on, to make history.”
The overnight sensation received a thunderous ovation from Oakleigh's Jack Edwards Reserve when he became the youngest player to participate in the Australia Cup competition.
I am very happy, I didn’t think I would get the call-up,” he recalled to Channel 10’s The Project.
“I had a big smile on my face running onto that pitch, seeing everyone being happy me coming on.
“It was just something I cannot explain.”
The big stage may not have worried Ymer, but his mother; Andy was a “nervous wreck” watching from the sidelines.
“I didn’t really think he was going to come on,” she said.
“When I saw him warming up my husband turned around and said something is going on.
“When he got on I was just super super proud.
“It was the proudest moment; I am really really proud of him and his achievement.”
The young keeper wasn’t needed to make a save, however in what would have been a nervous moment, Oakleigh conceded a corner in the final minute, although the A-League side wasn’t able to get a clean shot away.
“I was a bit disappointed, I wanted to show everyone what I can do,” Ymer said.
Despite making history on Wednesday night, Ymer was back to school the following day, enjoying the plaudits of his peers.
“People were just coming and talking to me, people who are not even my good mates coming up to me and congratulating me,” he said.
“It was pretty good.”
Mrs Abili said the last month has been a whirlwind for her family, however, it had all been worthwhile.
“It is such a great achievement,” she said.
“He trains really, really hard, especially for the last couple of years."
“Chris Taylor (coach) and all of the senior players have been amazing towards him the last couple of weeks, they have just been amazing.”