The Subway Young Socceroos are one match away from the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2025 Final™.
Fresh from the elated scenes against Iraq after securing FIFA U-20 World Cup™ qualification for the first time in twelve years, Trevor Morgan's side have shifted their full focus on trying to win the tournament. To do so, they will need to first overcome a familiar foe in heavyweights, Japan, in the Semi-Final.
The Aussies have never won Asia's premier competition at the Under 20 level since joining the Asian Football Confederation, with their best finish as runners-up in the 2010 iteration. Motivation is high within the group to create their own history.
The green and gold has so far won all of its matches, playing some scintillating attacking football in the process while possessing immense resilience and character in moments of adversity.
That was on full display in its 3-2 Quarter Final success over the Lions of Mesopotamia - coming from behind twice to advance to the last four.
Adelaide United duo Luka Jovanovic and Panagiotis Kikianis as well as new Melbourne Victory loan signing Alex Badolato were on the scoresheet in that entertaining classic.
However, the team is aware they will need to up their level again against the might of the Samurai Blue, who prevailed past IR Iran in a dramatic penalty shootout as the match was locked at 1-1 after 120 minutes.
As part of the team's pre-tournament preparations, the two sides did encounter in a friendly match in Japan, with Yuzo Funakoshi's side claiming a 2-1 friendly victory. Learnings from that clash will certainly assist in the preparation.
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What they said
Paul Okon-Engstler
Anticipating a tough match against Japan
It's a very difficult opposition that we're going up against, but I think if we play at our best we can definitely compete against anyone. They're very good as a team, technically very good and also physically very good. But I think with the games that we've now played together, I think that will only help in our performance.
Securing FIFA U-20 World Cup qualification against Iraq
Obviously, it was a special moment for us, especially as a group, coming back from 2-1 down at half-time and making it 3-2. I think it was a very emotional game. A game where we fought very hard for each other. And the group was just very happy to come out with the result and obviously qualify for a World Cup, which hasn't been done in 12 years. It was a night that I think a lot of us won't forget.
Strong performance against Iraq but room to improve
I was pretty satisfied with my performance against Iraq. I think there are a lot of things I could have done better, but I think overall, I played a pretty solid game. And I just think that the way the team plays allows me to perform at my best. I think if I'm performing at my best, then I believe I give the team the best chance of winning every game. So I think it's just building on the next performance and just preparing for the game against Japan. And hopefully we can replicate that type of performance, and hopefully we can come out on top.
Development at Benfica
It's obviously a privilege to be in that type of academy, that type of setup. I think being there every day on a daily basis helps you a lot. It improves your game a lot, training and playing with those types of players. I'm very privileged to be in that environment and I think it's only helped me.
Panagiotis Kikianis
Expecting against Japan
We played against them earlier this month. Everyone knows what Japan brings to the footballing table. They're very technical, very quick and agile. But to be honest, I think we have players who are more than capable to show up on this stage and we know what we have to do. If we can execute that, we'll be fine.
Adjusting to international football and improving each game
I think during this tournament, my performances have improved as the games have gone on. International football is so different (to club football) and it takes time to adapt. I haven't played with these boys in a while, but step by step, we got better as a team. I think the last game (against Iraq) was probably the first time we got to show our true colours individually and as a team. But hopefully now, we are going well at the right time, and against Japan we can properly show our true colors and what we're able to do.
The match against Iraq and qualifying for the World Cup
It was probably the best footballing moment of my life to experience that. I definitely didn't think I was going to shed a tear, but it was hard not to after the full-time whistle was blown. The emotions just ran wild and to win the way we did, showed a different performance from us. It showed that we have character, we have resilience, and if we do go down in a game, we're never out of it. So it was an unbelievable feeling.
A breakdown of the equaliser
I was screaming at Rocky (Alex Badolato) to lay it off for me. Credit to him, because a lot of people would've shot in that moment, but for him to have the vision just to lay it off for me, made my job pretty easy. And again, to score for your country is just a different feeling. As a defender, you don't often get to have that opportunity, but when it comes, there's definitely no better feeling.
Match Schedule
Subway Young Socceroos 5-1 Kyrgyz Republic
Wednesday, 12 February 2025
Bao’an Sports Centre Stadium, Shenzhen
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Qatar 1-3 Subway Young Socceroos
Saturday, 15 February 2025
Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Centre Stadium, Shenzhen
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China PR 1-2 Subway Young Socceroos
Tuesday, 18 February 2025
Bao’an Sports Centre Stadium, Shenzhen
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Subway Young Socceroos 3-2 Iraq
Saturday, 22 February 2025
Bao’an Sports Centre Stadium, Shenzhen
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Subway Young Socceroos v Japan
Wednesday, 26 February 2025
Bao’an Sports Centre Stadium, Shenzhen
Kick-off: 7.30pm Local / 10.30pm AEDT
Broadcast: Live on 10 Play