Ruiz-Diaz hat-trick against Singapore sends Australia to semi-finals in Vietnam

A hat-trick from Central Coast Mariners starlet Dylan Ruiz-Diaz has helped Australia beat Singapore 5-0 and secure a semi-final berth at the 2019 AFF U-18 Championship.

18-year-old attacker Ruiz-Diaz scored twice in the space of four first half minutes following an opening strike from Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder Fabian Monge.

Gary van Egmond’s side continued their dominance after the interval with a stunning long-range effort from Thomas Fay of Sydney FC, before Ruiz-Diaz sealed his treble in the 78^th minute.

Feature image courtesy of Central Coast Mariners on Twitter @CCMariners

Q & A: Gary van Egmond on the Young Socceroos
SQUAD: The 23 players representing Australia at the 2019 U-18 AFF Championship

Thursday's result means the Young Socceroos edge out Malaysia at the top of Group B with four wins and one defeat from five matches.

Australia will now entertain Myanmar, who finished runners up in Group A to Indonesia, in a semi-final on Saturday in Binh Duong. Kick off in that one is 9.30pm AEST.

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