Subway Young Socceroos top Group A after victory over hosts China PR

Two minutes of magic have seen the Subway Young Socceroos achieve a perfect group stage record at the AFC U-20 Asian Cup after a 2-1 win over hosts China PR.

Head Coach Trevor Morgan made nine changes to the side that defeated Qatar on Saturday evening. With a quarter-final secured, the Young Socceroos boss elected to rotate the squad, giving additional members vital minutes heading into the knockout stages.

A physical first period of the match greatly contrasted the free-flowing football of the first two group stage clashes with both sides feeling their way through a grueling opening twenty minutes.

What proceeded, however, was electric. Australia would open the scoring in the 23rd minute through Medin Memeti, who slipped his shot through the legs of keeper Liu. The goalkeeper initially saved the forward's first attempt following some persisent work by Tiago Quintal.

Just seconds after the restart, the Young Socceroos would extend their lead, with Louis Agosti converting his chance following a blistering attack which saw Quintal again involved in the build up. The scoring would not stop there, with China PR swiftly responding through a Kuai Ji Wen volley just before the half-hour mark.

Despite a number of intricate attacking plays by the Subway Young Socceroos, the second half would be defined by their ability to repel the hosts from scoring an equaliser, and putting top spot in Group A back in the balance.

Goalkeeper Alexander Robinson would repel the Chinese with a stunning double parry in the 50th minute, along with a strong high-dive in injury time to save a deflected effort toward goal.

Trevor Morgan introduced a number of fresh legs late in the half to maintain control of the match and the approach appeared to bear fruit, with the Australians effectively stamping out the majority of China PR's attempts at goal.

The victory sees Australia record a perfect record of three wins from three games in Group A with a quarter-final booked for Saturday evening, along with a shot at FIFA U-20 World Cup qualification, should they overcome their next opponents.

China PR U-20: 1 (Kuai Ji Wen 29') 
Australia U-20: 2 (Memeti 23', Agosti 25') 
Date: Tuesday 18th February 2025 
Venue: Baoan Sports Centre Stadium, Shenzhen

Australia U-20 Lineup: 5. Fabian Talladira, 7. (C) Daniel Bennie, 8. Jonny Yull, 11. Tiago Quintal, 12. (GK) Alexander Robinson, 13. Lucas Herrington, 14. Zach Lisolajski (3. Sebastian Esposito 46'), 15. Jaylan Pearman (17. Frans Deli 62'), 16. Oliver Randazzo (2. Joshua Inserra 74'), 20. Louis Agosti, (6. Paul Okon-Engstler 62') 22. Medin Memedi (9. Luka Jovanovic 62')

Unused Substitutes: 1. (GK) Steven Hall, 4. Panagiotis Kikianis, 10. Alex Badolato, 18. (GK) Gus Hoefsloot, 19. Musa Toure, 21. Dean Bosnjak, 23. Adam Bugarija