Damian Mori
Damian Mori ( born September 30, 1970 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) is an Australian football player. He obtained reputation as a fast-paced goal hustler, which is remarkable for a player who began his career as a defender. He left his mark both at home and internationally. For Australia, he completed 45 international matches and scored 29 goals, which he is the sole scorer of the Socceroos until 19 November 2013.
Club career
Mori was also successful at club level - mainly in the National Soccer League. After he became the most important and best player of Adelaide City, he spent a single season (1996/ 97) overseas, in Germany at Borussia Moenchengladbach. This step was only marked by frustration. He appeared in only six games, and never played more than a half. In those six games, he hit a single time. Mori returned home and was in the next year, top scorer in the NSL.
1996 Mori held the world record for the fastest goal after he scored for City in just 3.69 seconds in a 2-2 draw against Sydney United.
In 2000, Mori to Perth Glory and enjoyed great success. The Storm partnership with Bobby Despotovski was considered one of the most effective of the championship. Mori won the 2002/03 NSL Championship and met in the Grand Final. He was also part of the champion team from Perth Glory by 2003/04.
After the end of the National Soccer League 2004 he moved back to Adelaide City to play in the South Australian Premier League and coach. He was extremely successful and won the " Coach of the Year ". Nevertheless, many were surprised by the fact that the record scorer in the NSL of all time was not in the shortlist of clubs in the A-League.
It turned out later that a major obstacle Moris desire for a part-time contract was that allowed him to do economic interests in Adelaide. Prior to the fourth round of the A-League season, it was announced that Perth Glory Mori committed in a short-term contract to replace the injured defender David Tarka. Then Mori came as a substitute in Glory's 1-0 win at the New Zealand Knights on 22 September 2005 on the field of play. After some excellent performances, such as a double whammy against Newcastle United Jets and a hat-trick against Adelaide United, the club would enjoy very much a permanent contract. After a few quarrels with the President of Adelaide City, Bob D' Ottavi, Mori agreed to a one-year contract.
On 9 December 2005 it was announced that Damian Mori has been appointed as an assistant to Perth Glory. This appeal followed the carriage of Alan Vest as manager after the departure of Steve McMahon. After the end of the A-League Season 2005/ 06 Mori returned as a player and manager for Adelaide City. On 27 September 2006 Mori signed with the Central Coast Mariners a short -term contract to cover the loss of elongating itself once Nik Mrdja. After the short-term contract expired with the Mariners, the FFA did not allow the Mariners to sign him again. On 21 November 2006, approached the new manager of Queensland Roar, Frank Farina, and a day later he signed a short-term contract "to the end of the season ."
National team career
Mori made his international debut on 4 September 1992 against the Solomon Islands. Within the next decade, he should take a total of 45 times for Australia and achieve 29 goals, which is to date record. Greatest success here was the surprising second place in the tournament at the Confederations Cup in 1997 in Saudi Arabia.
On November 19, 2013 Tim Cahill hired his record of 29 international goals in a 1-0 against Costa Rica and is now together with Mori scorer Australia.
Achievements
- Oceania champions: 1996 (not used in the final)
- FIFA Confederations Cup: Finalist 1997 (not used in the final)
- Australian champion: 1994, 2003, 2004
Personal honors
- Johnny Warren Medal: 1996, 2003
- Australian top scorer: 1996 (31 goals), 1998 ( 19) 2000 ( 22) 2002 ( 17) 2003 ( 24)