The Subway Young Socceroos have qualified for the AFC U20 Asian Cup China PR 2025™ following a 0-0 draw against host Saudi Arabia at the Prince Sultan Sports City Stadium in Abha on Monday morning (AEST).
The Aussies finished Group D with 10 points, level with Saudi Arabia but second due to an inferior goal difference. However, the draw was enough to secure qualification as one of the five best runners-up.
Needing just a point to guarantee their passage to next year's tournament, the match began in cagey fashion with chances few and far between.
Luka Jovanovic was forced off with an injury just beyond the half hour mark, before Jonny Yull had the best chance of the first half when his long-range attempt flew inches over the bar.
The second stanza continued to be a tight affair until first-half substitute Thomas Waddingham tested goalkeeper Hamed Abdullah as honours were even.
Match Details
Australia U20: 0
Saudi Arabia U20: 0
AFC U20 Asian Cup China PR 2025™ Qualifiers
Date: Sunday, 29 September 2024
Venue: Prince Sultan Sports City Stadium, Abha, Saudi Arabia
Starting XI: 1.Anthony PAVLESIC (GK), 3. Liam BONETIG, 7. Jonny YULL, 8. Alexander BADOLATO (C), 9. Luka JOVANOVIC (11. Thomas WADDINGHAM 32'), 10. Rhys YOULLEY (16. Louis AGOSTI 81'), 13. Panagiotis KIKIANIS, 14. Oliver RANDAZZO (6. Frans DELI 57'), 15. Tiago QUINTAL (17. Jake NAJDOVSKI 57'), 21. Fabian TALLADIRA, 23, Joshua INSERRA (4. Zach LISOLAJSKI 81')
Unused Substitutes: 2. Kayne RAZMOVSKI, 5. Zane SCHREIBER, 12. Alexander ROBINSON (GK), 18. Daniel GRASKOSKI (GK), 19. Miguel DI PIZIO, 20. Jesse CAMERON, 22. Arion SULEMANI
Yellow Cards: 10. Rhys YOULLEY (71'), 8. Alexander BADOLATO (87')
Red Cards: N/A
Results
Afghanistan U20: 0
Australia U20: 2 (Jovanovic 84’, 90+3' (P))
AFC U20 Asian Cup China PR 2025™ Qualifiers
Date: Monday, 23 September 2024
Venue: Prince Sultan Sports City Complex, Abha, Saudi Arabia
Australia U20: 2 (Kikianis 9', 50')
Macau U20: 0
AFC U20 Asian Cup China PR 2025™ Qualifiers
Date: Wednesday, 25 September 2024
Venue: Prince Sultan Sports City Stadium, Abha, Saudi Arabia
Palestine U20: 1 (Ali 7')
Australia U20: 2 (Youlley 45+1', Badolato 75')
AFC U20 Asian Cup China PR 2025™ Qualifiers
Date: Friday, 27 September 2024
Venue: Prince Sultan Sports City Stadium, Abha, Saudi Arabia