Medin Memeti is relishing a successful inaugural season in the Isuzu UTE A-League following his promotion from Melbourne City’s academy. Here, we delve into the statistics that highlight the promising talent of this young footballer.
Not too long ago, Memeti was showcasing his skills in the second tier of Victorian football with Melbourne City’s youth setup.
The teenage prodigy has been making headlines in the A-Leagues, demonstrating his swift ascent within the ranks at Casey Fields.
In July, the 17-year-old secured his first professional contract and has since emerged as City’s joint-leading goalscorer in the Isuzu UTE A-League, standing shoulder to shoulder with Israeli forward Yonatan Cohen, both having netted four goals this season.
Memeti has been instrumental in back-to-back victories, contributing goals that led Aurelio Vidmar’s title-contending team to triumph over Sydney FC and Central Coast Mariners.
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“He has a tremendous amount to learn,” Vidmar remarked after the Dandenong Thunder product’s decisive goal against the two-time champions, Central Coast, last week. “But that’s completely normal for someone his age. He’s only 17 and was playing in the U21s not so long ago.
“For him to step up and score crucial goals for us… he is a dynamic, powerful player who will only improve physically. At just 17, he’s still quite young.”
“It’s a long road ahead. Consistency and hard work are key.”
Among players aged 20 or younger this season, only Adelaide United’s Archie Goodwin (12) and Sydney FC’s Adrian Segecic (10) have outscored Memeti, who currently sits on four goals.
In the realm of the Isuzu UTE A-League, Memeti ranks in the top 10 for goals scored by players aged 20 or under. Notably, he occupies the eighth position on a list that includes talents like Nestory Irankunda.
This speaks volumes about Memeti’s potential. Although, as his coach points out, he has much to learn, this young talent is undoubtedly moving in the right direction.
This academy graduate has, for significant stretches of this season, been carrying the goalscoring burden.
With an impressive shooting accuracy of 60%, Memeti has found the net every 212.8 minutes during his debut season.
In the historical context of the competition, among players aged 20 or under, he ranks in the top 11, and seventh for minutes per goal among players under 20 who have clocked at least 500 minutes on the pitch.
Only Irankunda (10) and Mohamed Toure (7) have surpassed Memeti’s tally of four goals in the Isuzu UTE A-League before turning 18, with Memeti set to celebrate his birthday this coming June. He is currently tied with Garang Kuol on this notable list.
“He exhibits the right mentality and the technical skills required to excel as a City player, which is why we are optimistic about his future ahead,” stated City’s director of football, Michael Petrillo.
Memeti has always been held in high regard at City, having joined the academy in 2022.
Arriving from Dandenong three years ago as one of the inaugural talents from the South East region to link up with the club, he marked his NPL debut at the age of 15 with a remarkable hat-trick in 2023.
Last season, he netted 9 goals in 15 appearances in VPL1.
Throughout his period in the academy, Memeti racked up an impressive 64 goals for City’s youth teams.
“Medin has a remarkable backstory; he was amongst the first signings we made in the Academy after relocating to Casey Fields from his youth club, Dandenong Thunder,” stated Simon Zappia, City’s academy senior manager, in July.
“After joining our U16s at just 14, we witnessed a rapid surge in his development, enabling him to train with our A-League squad in under 18 months.
“Medin has displayed impressive resilience in overcoming setbacks and has established commendable consistency in the VPL.
“I’m incredibly proud to reflect on the progress he’s achieved.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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