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Mark Schwarzer, Mackenzie Arnold, Andrew Redmayne and now, Steven Hall. <\/p>\n
Get all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n The goalkeeper is Australia\u2019s newest shot stopping hero after coming up a clutch in the penalty shootout that handed the Young Socceroos their first ever U20 Asian Cup triumph<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Australians were flawless from the spot, and Saudi Arabia were too through four attempts, before Hall dived to his right and stretched his left arm high into the air to pull off a save that immediately entered the nation\u2019s footballing folklore.<\/p>\n Making the moment even more special was that it acted as a tribute to his late grandfather, who passed away earlier in the tournament.<\/p>\n After making the all-important save, Hall got up and made a beeline towards the camera to kiss the words written on his glove \u2018for you grandad\u2019.<\/p>\n The incredibly touching moment might also launch Hall\u2019s career to another level.<\/p>\n In January 2024, Premier League club Brighton snapped up the youngster from Adelaide United for an undisclosed fee on a three-and-a-half-year contract, following in the footsteps of Socceroos captain Mat Ryan, who was the Seagulls\u2019 first choice goalkeeper from 2017 to 2020.<\/p>\n Hall has not be called up to the senior squad, but has been a part of Brighton\u2019s U21 team during his time on England\u2019s south coast so far and quickly endeared himself to the fans courtesy of filthy moustache and mullet combination.<\/p>\n He has made just two appearances, starting in both, this season after also making two starts last campaign.<\/p>\n Keen observers of Australian football will remember Hall for his history-making moment in the A-League.<\/p>\n On New Year\u2019s Day 2022, Hall became the youngest goalkeeper to make their A-League debut when he replaced the injured James Delianov 31 minutes into Adelaide United\u2019s 4-0 victory against Wellington Phoenix.<\/p>\n Hall was just 16 years and 350 days old when he stepped onto the pitch at Hindmarsh Stadium.<\/p>\n He made another three appearances for the Reds in the premier Australian competition before departing for England.<\/p>\n But he did not go unnoticed with Schwarzer saying on Optus Sport back in 2022, that Hall has \u201ca big future\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got a player for you that I\u2019ve seen quite a few highlights of and what I\u2019ve seen of him, I\u2019m very impressed and I think the kid\u2019s got a big future,\u201d Schwarzer said.<\/p>\n \u201cSteven Hall, a goalkeeper at Adelaide United. He\u2019s played three games, he came on – I think he was the fourth goalkeeper. I\u2019ve liked everything about him.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s 17-year-old, made his debut at 16. He looks calm, he look assuring, he looked commanding in his own 18-yard box. There\u2019s quite a few saves I\u2019ve seen him make and he made them look easy.\u201d<\/p>\n It is in national colours where he has truly proven to be a star on the rise, however.<\/p>\n Hall has also featured for the Olyroos, Australia\u2019s men\u2019s U23 team, and in recent weeks in China, he has shown why he is highly touted within Australian ranks.<\/p>\n The heroic moment may never have happened if not for two less celebrated, but crucial saves during the quarter-final win against Iraq.<\/p>\n The Young Socceroos came from behind twice to prevail 3-2<\/a> and book their place in this year\u2019s FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile by advancing to the semi-finals, but the script could have easily been different if not for Hall\u2019s excellence.<\/p>\n He pulled off two vital stops in the second half to deny Iraq and send Australia on the road to the title with a clean sheet in their 2-0 semi-final win against Japan<\/a> following.<\/p>\n The 20-year-old, who was allowed to play in the U20 Asian Cup because players born on 1 January 2005 or later are eligible, and he turned 20 on January 16, is almost certain to be a key figure in Australia\u2019s U20 World Cup campaign in September and October.<\/p>\n If Hall can continue to hold his nerves in the big moments, who knows where his career might take him and if Schwarzer is right, Australia might just have its next star goalkeeper.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n