Plucked from SA's second tier to the international stage. Now, this 20yo lit up the NPL

The NPL South Australia title race rolled on this weekend, but the most memorable moment belonged to a 20-year-old.

Zakaria Abdullahi scored his first goals for WT Birkalla, coming off the bench to net a late brace in a 4-1 victory over Adelaide Comets on Friday night.

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For the league leaders, it was another important three points in a tightly-contested premiership race.

For Abdullahi, it felt like a breakthrough.

After making his senior international debut for Somalia at just 17 years of age - having been plucked from South Australia’s second tier, the forward delivered the first goals of his Birkalla career and a glimpse of the talent that has made him one of the competition's most intriguing prospects.

His late double capped Birkalla's comeback after George Blackwood and Brodie Everett overturned an early Comets lead, ensuring the league leaders remained one point clear at the top.

MetroStars continue to apply pressure after a dominant 4-0 win over Campbelltown City.

Hamish Gow scored twice, while Golden Boot leader Andre Carle recorded his 11th goal of the season as the title challengers kept pace.

Third-placed Playford City were unable to gain ground after being held to a goalless draw by Adelaide United.

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Adelaide City, meanwhile, moved to within four points of the summit after a 2-1 victory over West Adelaide courtesy of goals from Yuki Kitano and Oliver Western.

Elsewhere, Croydon FC comfortably accounted for Para Hills Knights 5-1, while Alexander Sortini's 90th-minute winner earned Sturt Lions a dramatic 2-1 victory over FK Beograd.

The battle for top spot remains incredibly tight. However as Round 12 showed, the race for the future might be just as interesting.