Toure crowns incredible 12-month story in Adelaide's FFA Cup Final 2019 triumph
Al Hassan Toure was sat in front of his television at home when Adelaide United lifted the FFA Cup Final in 2018.
12 months later, the 19-year-old striker was the hero as his side secured a record third trophy after a 4-0 win over Melbourne City.
That resounding triumph in the City of Churches crowned a stunning elevation to first team football for the teenager, who has emerged from relative obscurity to become the unlikely story of new boss Gertjan Verbeek's reign so far.
Although the club have long held high hopes for the Guinean-Australian, Adelaide had not highlighted the first-team prospects of Toure to Verbeek in the same manner of some of his colleagues when the experienced Dutch manager arrived down under.
In fact, it took a stunning goal for the youth team against Campbelltown City for Verbeek to sit up and take notice.
Since then, Toure has found the net against Melbourne Knights, Olympic FC, Newcastle Jets and in the Final against City.
"Considering I was watching from home last year, winning the cup means a lot. It's been a joy to play," Toure told FOX Sports post-match.
"This is a dream come true to be honest."
REPORT: Adelaide secure third FFA Cup with 4-0 defeat over City
"He's not surprising us anymore," said Adelaide attacker Ben Halloran of Toure's remarkable emergence.
"He just keeps on doing it. You almost expect him to score when he plays. I think he's destined for really big things.
"We haven't seen a player of this type come through in the A-League yet," said FOX Sports commentator Andy Harper.
"This is breaking new ground. I'm so excited for the kid and for Adelaide United."
"I'm really happy on his behalf," said Adelaide skipper Michael Jakobsen.
"He's a good kid. He works very hard every day. He's one of the last ones to go away from training. He does a lot of stuff around the club.
"He's sometimes doing the hard things, but everything's just happening for him at the moment. I'm really happy for him."
