Toure fuelled by group chat rev-up and trainer promise

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Toure fuelled by group chat rev-up and trainer promise

A WhatsApp group connecting some of Australia’s most-gifted exports and the promise of a pair of trainers has helped Young Socceroos striker Musa Toure hit top form en route to the U20 Asian Cup final.

Toure has been on fire for Australia, who meet Saudi Arabia in Saturday’s final (10.30pm AEDT) in Shenzhen, China.

The 20-year-old scored the opening goal in a 2-0 semi-final win over Japan and played a key role in the lead-up to Jaylan Pearman’s winner.

It represents Australia’s first shot at lifting an Asian trophy at any age group since Socceroos won the senior tournament in 2015.

With three goals to his name in the tournament so far, Toure has played a key role in the Young Socceroos’ fortunes in qualifying for this year’s World Cup in Chile.

And he has been able to keep pushing himself further courtesy of a group chat where a litany of Australia’s future stars offer each other words of encouragement.

“In there, there’s Nestory Irankunda, Garang Kuol, Tete Yengi, Rhys Youlley, Raphael Borges Rodrigues, Yaya Dukuly, Ariath Piol,” Toure told AAP.

“(After the Japan win) I went back into the changing room and saw my phone and everyone was jumping in (with comments) saying how happy they were.

“To have everyone watching and having those boys supporting me is amazing.

“We are always pushing each other and will say, ‘Oh, you won’t do this’. It gives us the belief to go do new things in the game.”

Toure has found belief hard to come by in recent months.

A move to French side Clermont didn’t pan out the way he would have liked but he is hopeful reuniting with older brother Mohamed at Danish top-flight club Randers can bring the best out of him.

Mohamed has been following the Young Socceroos’ fortunes, promising his younger brother a pair of trainers if he moves ahead of South Korea’s Tae-won Kim (four goals) and lands the competition’s golden boot award.

“Mohamed told me if I become the top goalscorer he’d buy me any trainers I want,” said the younger Toure, who has already eyed off a pair of Louis Vuitton sneakers.

“I’m one goal off it and I think it can happen.

“The win comes first and if the goals come it comes. Mohamed is doing well, his (goal) bonus is crazy.”

Toure’s move to Randers happened while he was away in Young Socceroos camp in China.

After Saturday’s final, he will have to return to France, empty his apartment, and then relocate to Denmark where he hopes he and his brother can become a devastating duo.

“I didn’t play with him in the A-League but from juniors and NPL we’ve been together our whole life,” Toure said.

“I know what we can do with each other … it’s going to be fun to play with him again.”

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