Damian Mori


Damian Mori is an Australian former football player who is an assistant coach for Adelaide United. He won two Johnny Warren Medals, awarded to the best player in the Australian league and was top scorer on 5 occasions. He established a reputation as a pacy, poaching goalscorer, which is notable for a player who started his career as a defender.

Early and personal life

Mori was born in Box Hill North, Victoria in 1970. His father, Joseph Mori, was a footballer who emigrated from Slovenia. His paternal grandfather was of Italian ancestry.

Club career

Mori was successful at club level – mainly in the Australian domestic league. After developing into Adelaide City's most important and best player, he spent a single season overseas in Germany with Borussia Mönchengladbach. This move was characterised only by frustration. He appeared in only six games, and never played more than half a match. In those six games, he didn't score once. Mori returned home to become NSL Top Goalscorer the following season.
In 1996, Mori held the world record for the fastest goal after he scored for City in just 3.69 seconds, straight from the kick-off, in a 2–2 draw with Sydney United.
In 2000, Mori transferred to Perth Glory and enjoyed great success. The striking partnership with Bobby Despotovski was renowned as one of the most potent in the competition. Mori won the NSL championship in 2002–03, scoring in the Grand Final. He was also part of the 2003–04 Perth Glory championship side.
Following the end of the National Soccer League in 2004 he moved back to Adelaide City to play and coach in the South Australian Premier League. He was extremely successful here, winning the "Coach of the Year" award. However, many were surprised at the fact that the NSL all-time top goalscorer was not on the shortlist of any A-League club.
It later emerged that a major stumbling block was Mori's desire for a part-time contract to allow him to manage business interests in Adelaide. Prior to round four of the A-League season, it was announced that Perth Glory had signed Mori on a short-term contract to replace injured defender David Tarka. Mori subsequently came on as a substitute in the Glory's 1 – 0 away win over the New Zealand Knights on 22 September 2005. After some excellent displays, particularly a brace against Newcastle United Jets and a hat-trick against Adelaide United, the club strongly desired a permanent deal. After some wrangling with Adelaide City chairman Bob D'Ottavi, Mori agreed to a one-year deal.
On 9 December 2005, it was announced that Mori would be appointed as assistant manager at Perth Glory. This appointment followed the elevation of Alan Vest to Manager after the departure of Steve McMahon. After the completion of the 2005–06 A-League season, Mori returned to Adelaide City as player-manager.
On 27 September 2006, Mori signed with the Central Coast Mariners on a short-term deal to cover the loss of Nik Mrdja which was extended once. After the short-term contract with the Mariners had expired, the FFA did not allow Central Coast to re-sign him. On 21 November 2006, he was approached by new Queensland Roar manager Frank Farina and signed the following day on a short-term "until the end of the season" contract. After the Roar failed to make the playoffs, Mori returned to SA to be the player-coach once again of defending South Australian champions Adelaide City.

International career

Mori made his international debut against Solomon Islands on 4 September 1992. In an international career that spanned over the next ten years, he was capped 45 times and scored 29 goals.

Career statistics

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
111 September 1992Stade Pater, Papeete, Tahiti1–03–01994 FIFA World Cup qualification
224 September 1993Dongdaemun Stadium, Seoul, South Korea1–11–1Friendly
315 November 1995Breakers Stadium, Newcastle, Australia1–03–0Trans-Tasman Cup
414 February 1996Lakeside Stadium, Melbourne, Australia1–03–0Friendly
514 September 1996Kings Park Stadium, Durban, South Africa1–02–0Friendly
621 September 1996Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, South Africa3–04–0Friendly
711 June 1997Parramatta Stadium, Sydney, Australia1–013–01998 FIFA World Cup qualification
811 June 1997Parramatta Stadium, Sydney, Australia2–013–01998 FIFA World Cup qualification
911 June 1997Parramatta Stadium, Sydney, Australia4–013–01998 FIFA World Cup qualification
1011 June 1997Parramatta Stadium, Sydney, Australia6–013–01998 FIFA World Cup qualification
1111 June 1997Parramatta Stadium, Sydney, Australia9–013–01998 FIFA World Cup qualification
1212 December 1997King Fahd Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia3–13–11997 FIFA Confederations Cup
1325 September 1998Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia1–03–11998 OFC Nations Cup
1425 September 1998Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia2–03–11998 OFC Nations Cup
1525 September 1998Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia3–03–11998 OFC Nations Cup
1628 September 1998Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia2–016–01998 OFC Nations Cup
1728 September 1998Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia4–016–01998 OFC Nations Cup
1828 September 1998Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia6–016–01998 OFC Nations Cup
1928 September 1998Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia7–016–01998 OFC Nations Cup
202 October 1998Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia1–04–11998 OFC Nations Cup
212 October 1998Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia2–04–11998 OFC Nations Cup
222 October 1998Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia3–14–11998 OFC Nations Cup
239 April 2001BCU International Stadium, Coffs Harbour, Australia2–022–02002 FIFA World Cup qualification
249 April 2001BCU International Stadium, Coffs Harbour, Australia5–022–02002 FIFA World Cup qualification
259 April 2001BCU International Stadium, Coffs Harbour, Australia8–022–02002 FIFA World Cup qualification
269 April 2001BCU International Stadium, Coffs Harbour, Australia12–022–02002 FIFA World Cup qualification
276 July 2002Ericsson Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand1–02–02002 OFC Nations Cup
288 July 2002Ericsson Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand4–011–02002 OFC Nations Cup
2914 July 2002Ericsson Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand2–12–12002 OFC Nations Cup

Honours

South Melbourne
  • [List of National Soccer League|NSL champions|NSL Cup]: 1989–90
Adelaide City
Perth Glory
  • NSL Championship: 2002–03, 2003–04
Australia
Individual:
  • Johnny Warren Medal: 1995–96, 2002–03
  • NSL top scorer: 1995–96, 1997–98, 1999–2000, 2001–02, 2002–03