Mustafa Amini Explained

Mustafa Amini
Fullname:Mohammad Mustafa Amini Castillo
Birth Date:20 April 1993
Birth Place:Sydney, Australia
Height:1.73 m[1]
Position:Central midfielder
Currentclub:Perth Glory
Clubnumber:8
Youthyears1:2004–2008
Youthclubs1:Blacktown City
Youthyears2:2009–2010
Youthclubs2:AIS
Years1:2010–2011
Clubs1:Central Coast Mariners
Caps1:23
Goals1:1
Years2:2011–2015
Clubs2:Borussia Dortmund
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:2011–2012
Clubs3:Central Coast Mariners (loan)
Caps3:18
Goals3:2
Years4:2012–2015
Clubs4:Borussia Dortmund II
Caps4:57
Goals4:3
Years5:2015–2016
Clubs5:Randers FC
Caps5:29
Goals5:0
Years6:2016–2020
Clubs6:AGF
Caps6:119
Goals6:10
Years7:2021
Clubs7:Apollon Limassol
Caps7:0
Goals7:0
Years8:2021
Clubs8:PAEEK (loan)
Caps8:0
Goals8:0
Years9:2022
Clubs9:Sydney FC
Caps9:17
Goals9:1
Years10:2022–
Clubs10:Perth Glory
Caps10:36
Goals10:2
Nationalyears1:2009
Nationalteam1:Australia U17
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2010–2013
Nationalteam2:Australia U20
Nationalcaps2:23
Nationalgoals2:3
Nationalyears3:2011–2016
Nationalteam3:Australia U23
Nationalcaps3:18
Nationalgoals3:4
Nationalyears4:2017–
Nationalteam4:Australia
Nationalcaps4:8
Nationalgoals4:0
Club-Update:2 May 2024
Ntupdate:15 October 2019

Mohammad Mustafa Amini Castillo (Dari: محمد مصطفی امينى كاستيلو, born 20 April 1993), known as Mustafa Amini, is an Australian professional soccer player who plays for Perth Glory and the Australian national team.

Born in Sydney, Amini played youth football with the Australian Institute of Sport before starting his professional career with Central Coast Mariners in the A-League. In 2011, Amini signed for Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund. After playing only for their second team, he transferred in 2015 to Randers FC.

Amini has appeared numerous times for the Australian U-17, U-20 and U-23 teams. He took part in the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Early life

Born in Sydney, Australia to an Afghan Hazara father[2] [3] and a Nicaraguan mother,[4] Amini grew up in the Western Sydney area. He attended Wentworthville Public School and Westfields Sports High School until moving to Lake Ginninderra College in the ACT while playing for the AIS, earning his Year 12 certificate in March 2010.

Amini wears a distinctive 'afro' haircut and is fluent in Dari and Spanish.[5]

Playing career

Club career

Central Coast Mariners

Amini played for Blacktown City before being signed to an AIS scholarship. He was signed by the Central Coast Mariners on a two-year contract in the A-League.[6] Amini made his debut for the senior team in a friendly against fellow Gosford club Central Coast Lightning which the Mariners won 7–1.[7] Amini made his official A-League debut for the Mariners in a match against Brisbane Roar on 20 October 2010. His first goal came in a 3–1 away win against Gold Coast United on 9 February 2011.

Amini's excellent form throughout the 2010–11 A-League season attracted major interest from overseas clubs Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. Subsequently it was announced that Amini was to spend two weeks on trial with Borussia Dortmund in preparation for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in July with a view of signing a long term deal with the Bundesliga club.[8] [9] Only days into his trial Borussia Dortmund publicly announced that the youngster had caught the eye of first team manager Jürgen Klopp stating that "he can definitely play football and is a really great talent."[10]

Borussia Dortmund

On 4 July 2011, it was announced that he had signed with Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund on a four-year contract. However, Amini would initially be loaned to Central Coast Mariners until 31 May 2012, making him eligible to play for the club during the 2011–12 A-League season as well as the group stage of the Asian Champions League. He played outstandingly well as Central Coast marched to the quarter-finals.[11]

On 11 July 2012, Amini made his debut for Borussia Dortmund in a friendly against SV Meppen, scoring a goal in the 63rd minute en route a 2–1 victory for Dortmund.[12] Amini scored his first goal for the second team in a game against MSV Duisburg on matchday 7 of the 2013–14 3. Liga season.

In March 2015, Amini announced, that he would leave the club when his contract expired in June, after playing there for three years.[13]

Randers FC

Amini signed a three-year deal with Danish Superliga club Randers FC in June 2015.[14] He scored the opening goal in the club's 3–0 UEFA Europa League qualifying second leg win over Sant Julià.[15]

AGF

In June 2016, Amini moved to Superliga side AGF on a four-year deal.[16] Amini enjoyed a good debut for AGF, with a goal and an assist in a 2–1 win away at SønderjyskE in the Superliga on 17 July 2016.[17]

Cyprus

In June 2021, Amini joined Cypriot First Division side Apollon Limassol on a two-year deal. In September 2021, Amini was loaned out to fellow First Division club PAEEK.[18] In December 2021, he mutually terminated his contract with Apollon Limassol and left both Cypriot clubs.[19]

Sydney FC

On 24 December 2021, Amini signed a six-month deal with A-League Men club Sydney FC as an injury replacement for Luke Brattan.[20]

Perth Glory

On 10 June 2022, Amini signed a three-year deal with A-League Men club Perth Glory.[21] Amini was announced just hours after the club released a statement advising members and fans that former Glory skipper, Brandon O'Neill had his request granted for an early release from his deal.

Amini was named Perth Glory team captain on 6 October 2022 ahead of the 2022–23 A-League Men season.[22]

International career

Youth

Amini was first selected for Australia under-17 to play Turkey in a two-match series in April 2009 in Turkey.[23] He made his Joeys debut in the first match of the series, a 1–0 loss, starting the match as a defender, but moving into midfield in the second half before being substituted late in the game.[24] He also played a full match in the second leg, a 2–1 defeat.[25]

Amini was selected to play for Australia U-20 in a four-match tour of South America against the Argentina U-20 and Paraguay U-20 teams from 3–19 April. He was then selected for the Australia U-20 again for the 2010 AFF U-19 Youth Championship. Amini scored his first goal for the Australia U-20 in the 2010 AFF U-19 Youth Championship in a 4–1 win over Vietnam U-20.

Senior

On 23 March 2011, after impressing on trial at Borussia Dortmund, Amini was called up to the Australian national side training camp by Head Coach Holger Osieck which was being held in Germany.

Amini was named among the 43 players squad to represent Afghanistan for 2014 AFC Challenge Cup preparations camp in Qatar, but he refused the call saying "I only want to play for Australia if I get the chance".[26]

Amini was called-up to Australia's senior squad ahead of the World Cup qualifiers in March 2017.[27] He debuted on 28 March 2017 against the United Arab Emirates at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, when subbed on in the 87th minute.[28]

20 November 2018, Amini made his first starting appearance for Australia at Stadium Australia, Sydney in a friendly match against Lebanon in front of a crowd of 33,268 people.[29] Amini played 74 minutes before being replaced by debutant James Jeggo with Australia three goals in the lead at the time.[30] Australia went on to win the match 3–0.[31]

Career statistics

Club

[32] [33]

ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Central Coast Mariners2010–11A-League2310000231
2011–121820041223
Total4130041454
Borussia Dortmund II2012–133. Liga140140
2013–14151151
2014–15282282
Total573573
Randers FC2015–16Danish Superliga2903041361
AGF2016–17Danish Superliga3252040385
2017–183111010331
2018–1931222334
2019–2016200162
2020–210000162
Total11010525012012
Apollon Limassol2021–22Cypriot First Division00000000
PAEEK (loan)2021–22Cypriot First Division000000
Sydney FC2021–22A-League Men1710070241
Perth Glory2022–23A-League Men19000190
2023–24100010
Total200000000200
Career total27417821525030221

International

Statistics accurate as of match played 15 October 2019.

Australia
YearAppsGoals
201720
201830
201930
Total80

Honours

Central Coast Mariners

Australia U19

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mustafa Amini . Soccerway . 5 January 2019.
  2. Web site: One 2 Watch: Mustafa Amini . backpagefootball.com . 16 November 2010 . 27 October 2012 . Neil . Sherwin.
  3. Web site: Newcastle line up trial for 17-year-old Aussie whizzkid . nufcblog.co.uk . 27 October 2012.
  4. Web site: Un nica en la liga grande del fútbol . elnuevodiario.com.ni . es . A Nicaraguan in the big league football . 1 August 2011 . 10 December 2012 . Francisco . Jarquín Soto . 2 December 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131202222324/http://www.elnuevodiario.com.ni/deportes/109413 . dead .
  5. News: Mariners snare teen with a dream. 13 January 2010. The Australian. 31 October 2010 . Peter . Kogoy.
  6. Web site: Mariners Snap Up 16 Year Old. 12 January 2010. FourFourTwo Australia. 18 June 2010. 29 September 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120929021325/http://au.fourfourtwo.com/News/120240,mariners-snap-up-16-year-old.aspx. dead.
  7. Web site: Mariners In Seventh Heaven. 18 June 2010. FourFourTwo Australia. 18 June 2010. 22 September 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130922215344/http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/169269,mariners-in-seventh-heaven.aspx. dead.
  8. Web site: Amini bound for Europe . theworldgame.sbs.com.au . 13 March 2011 . 27 October 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120405105907/http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1048433/Amini-bound-for-Europe . 5 April 2012 . dead .
  9. Web site: Amini to trial in Germany . theworldgame.sbs.com.au . 17 March 2011 . 27 October 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120405105935/http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1048889/Amini-to-trial-in-Germany . 5 April 2012 . dead .
  10. Web site: Amini's Holger Call-Up . au.fourfourtwo.com . 23 March 2011 . 27 October 2012 . Aidan . Ormond . 4 October 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121004032932/http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/199683,aminis-holger-callup.aspx . dead .
  11. Web site: Musti Bundesliga bound with BVB . https://web.archive.org/web/20110709073751/http://www.ccmariners.com.au/default.aspx?s=aleague_newsdisplay&id=40229 . dead . 9 July 2011 . ccmariners.com.au .
  12. Web site: Hofmanns Traumtor: BVB siegt 2:1 in Meppen . de . ruhrnachrichten.de . 11 July 2012 . 27 October 2012.
  13. Web site: Amini headed for Dortmund exit door . theworldgame.sbs.com.au . 20 March 2015.
  14. Web site: Amini signs with Randers . . 12 June 2015 . 12 June 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045255/http://www.fourfourtwo.com/au/news/amini-signs-randers . 4 March 2016 . dead .
  15. Web site: Goalscorer Amini revels in Randers win . . 10 July 2015 . 24 December 2021 . Dave . Lewis.
  16. News: . 23 June 2016. 23 June 2016. Amini leaves Randers for Danish rival AGF Aarhus . Lewis . Dave.
  17. Amini's dream AGF debut. FourFourTwo. 18 July 2016. 17 July 2016. Somerford, Ben.
  18. News: Socceroo loaned to Cypriot club. 26 September 2021. 26 September 2021. Catherine. Paquette.
  19. News: Socceroo leaves Cypriot club. Catherine. Paquette. FTBL. 22 December 2021.
  20. Web site: Sydney FC Sign Socceroos Midfielder Mustafa Amini . Sydney FC . 24 December 2021 . 24 December 2021.
  21. Web site: Glory swoop for Socceroo Amini . Perth Glory . 10 June 2022 . 10 June 2022.
  22. Web site: Morgan . Gareth . 2022-10-06 . Amini named Glory skipper for 2022/23 Season . 2022-10-06 . Perth Glory FC.
  23. News: ANZAC significance for Qantas Joeys. 25 April 2009. 13 September 2015. Football Federation Australia.
  24. News: Joeys sunk by substitute. . 25 April 2009. 13 September 2015.
  25. News: Qantas Joeys lose to last minute goal by Turkey. 28 April 2009. 13 September 2015. Football Federation Australia.
  26. Web site: BVB Dortmund's Mustafa Amini says no to Afghanistan . https://web.archive.org/web/20140127032109/http://sports.af/afghanistan-pick-fc-dortmunds-mustafa-amini-43-players-2014-01-25/ . dead . 27 January 2014 . Sports.af . 8 April 2014 . 25 January 2014 .
  27. News: New Roo Amini has point to prove. Ben. Somerford. FourFourTwo. 16 March 2017. 29 March 2017. 30 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170330015912/http://www.fourfourtwo.com.au/news/new-roo-amini-has-point-to-prove-455017. dead.
  28. News: Australia's World Cup hopes still alive with UAE victory. The West Australian. 28 March 2017 . 29 March 2017.
  29. News: Boyle stars for Socceroos in 3-0 win . . Adrian . Warren . 20 November 2018 . 20 November 2018 .
  30. Web site: Australia vs. Lebanon - Football Match Commentary - November 20, 2018 - ESPN . . 20 November 2018 . 20 November 2018 .
  31. News: Martin Boyle states Socceroos case with brace as Tim Cahill bids farewell . . Mike . Hytner . 20 November 2018 . 20 November 2018 .
  32. Web site: M. Amini. Soccerway. 25 May 2015.
  33. Amini, Mustafa . de . kicker.de . 25 May 2015.
  34. News: Unfair to compare Amini to Kagawa. Sportal. 10 July 2012. 25 July 2016.
  35. News: Babalj Helps Young Socceroos Clinch AFF U-19 Championship. Melbourne City FC. 1 August 2010. 25 July 2016.