The Subway Joeys have prevailed in the final of the ASEAN U16 Boys Championship over Thailand with an 8-7 shootout result following a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes in Surakarta.
Coach Brad Maloney made two changes to the side that defeated hosts Indonesia in the semi-final, with Anthony Didulica and Rhys Williams rejoining the starting side for the first time in the knock-out stages, with Jordan Graoroski and Jay Maltz shifting to bench, but being introduced for the penalty shoot-out.
The first big chance came from Thailand in the 19th minute, with a promising counter denied by a stunning one-on-one block by goalkeeper Jai Ajanovic who spread his body and closed any avenue for the opposition to score from.
Fifteen minutes later Laoongdi pounced on a loose ball and scored from his attempt, despite the efforts of the Central Coast Mariners shot-stopper to block the strike which found his way to the top of the net.
Australia would not enter the half-time break behind however, with an intricate move upfield from the Joeys ending with a cut-back from Amlani Tatu towards the path of Brisbane Roar's Quinn MacNicol just outside the penalty area.
MacNicol struck first-time with his right foot powering the ball off the far post and into the net to get his side back in the contest during first-half injury-time.
Despite the tight turnaround between matches, the Joeys seemed to grow into the match with Tatu almost replicating his semi-final free-kick heroics in the 50th minute with a 25-yard hit which was saved by the Thai keeper.
Fifteen minutes after a desperate goal-line clearance denied captain Jayden Necovski a winning goal. Brad Maloney's men thought they had found a second goal with ten minutes to play, however, Anthony Didulica's tap-in was denied by VAR for a prior penalty-box infringement.
With no extra-time allocated for the tournament due to heavy scheduling, the match was sent to a penalty shootout following a 1-1 stalemate after 90 minutes.
Goalkeeper Ajanovic produced an outstanding save on his right-hand side from the first attempt, however the first part of the shootout remained even after goal-scoring hero MacNicol's effort drifted marginally left of the goal.
Eight different Aussie penalty takers were required with Alfaro, Maltz, Didulica, Eames, Pullella, Garbowski, and Kutleshi converting before Ajanovic broke the cycle with a second low save to put Australia on the brink of victory.
Captain Jayden Necovski was tasked with the final penalty and calmly sent the Thailand keeper the wrong way, wheeling away in celebration, with the Joeys securing a first piece of silverware for an Australia men's side since 2019.
Thailand U16: 1 (Poramet Laoongdi 33')
Australia U16: 1 (Quinn MacNicol 45+3')
Date: Wednesday 3rd July 2024
Venue: Manahan Stadium, Surakarta, Indonesia
Thailand U16: 1. Supakorn Poonphol (GK), 2. Phuriphan Phothong, 4. Phurinat Poolkamlang, 5. Supawit Phasom (19. Chatchawat Sahanunchaichid 64'), 6. Danuphon Buppha (C) (7. Kittiphop Chephankhung 90+8'), 10. Natthakit Phosri, 11. Chaiwat Ngoenma, 14. Poramet Laoongdi, 20. Sorakrit Kaewsri (16. Phanuphong Wan-on 64'), 21. Siwakorn Ponsan, 22. Kanapoth Inthasing (8. Jompon Homboonma 64' (15. Napat Ijoi 90+2'))
Unused Substitutes: 12. Narukit Sangsawang (GK), 18. Pongsapat Sukkasem (GK), 3. Thanantat Wattanapoonsin, 9. Kanaroot Kanphai, 13. Sirasit Supsin, 17. Phanupong Popsayai, 23. Kongthaweep Makkathok
Australia U16: 1. Jai Ajanovic (GK), 2. Malual Nichola (13. Besian Kutleshi 46'), 4. Jayden Necovski (C), 5. Christian Pullella, 6. Alex Bolton (8. Haine Eames 46'), 10. Nickolas Alfaro, 11. Amlani Tatu (9. Jordan Graoroski 90+1), 14. Alexander Garbowski, 20. Anthony Didulica 21. Rhys Williams (7. Noah Slunjski 68' (19. Jay Maltz 90+5')), 22. Quinn MacNicol
Unused Substitutes: 12. Jonty Benfield (GK), 18. Noah Ellul (GK), 3. Charlie Parkin, 15. Marco Santangelo, 16. James Houridis, 17. Alexander Houridis, 23. David Bolongi