Rising young Adelaide United talent Awer Mabil has taken out the National Youth League’s top individual honour for 2012/13.
Rising young Adelaide United talent Awer Mabil has taken out the National Youth League-s top individual honour for 2012/13.
Mabil won the National Youth League (NYL) Medal after being adjudged the league-s Most Valuable Player at the Hyundai A-League & Westfield W-League 2013 Awards held at the Hilton Hotel in Sydney on Monday night.
Seated at a table with a host the Reds- biggest stars including captain Eugene Galekovic, Cassio, Dario Vidosic and Marcelo Carrusca, it was Mabil who stole the spotlight from his more recognised peers as he claimed the club-s solitary award for the night.
The 17 year old was seen as the standout player amongst all of the clubs in the NYL as he constantly proved a terror for opposition defences with his pace, skill and maturity beyond his years. It has been a breakout year for Mabil, a Sudanese refugee who came out to Australia with his family at the age of 10.
Mabil-s NYL season saw him find the back of the net eight times, his tally also consisting of a hat trick against the Newcastle Jets Youth Team on December 15. The attacking midfielder-s performances led to him making five Hyundai A-League appearances and signing a two year contract with the Reds- senior list.
Justifiably thrilled about receiving the award, one thing you can be certain of is that Mabil is keeping his feet well and truly on the ground, acknowledging that ‘the hard work starts now- as he tries to mould a professional career for himself. From what he has showed over the past 12 months, there is no doubt he is on the right track.
Melbourne Victory-s pint sized attacking midfielder Marco Rojas was named the Johnny Warren Medallist, the award for the most valuable player in the Hyundai A-League as selected by the players. The New Zealander finished well clear of Sydney FC marquee man Alessandro Del Piero and Central Coast Mariners sharpshooter Daniel McBreen, while Reds number 10 Dario Vidosic came in fifth.
