The Subway Young Socceroos made it three consecutive wins in their AFC U20 Asian Cup China PR 2025™ Qualifiers after coming from behind to secure a 2-1 victory against Palestine on Saturday morning (AEST).
A stunning free-kick from Rhys Youlley of Westerlo on the stroke of half-time levelled proceedings after Suheibelias Ali was alert to give Palestine a seventh minute lead.
Having been thwarted minutes earlier from a long-range effort, Youlley would find the breakthrough in first-half stoppage time, curling his free-kick over the wall and perfectly placed into the top corner.
A tight affair would follow in the second half but Trevor Morgan's side managed to edge in front on 75 minutes when Luka Jovanovic turned and spotted Western Sydney Wanderers' Alex Badolato.
His attempt was too powerful for goalkeeper Rami Jabreen, despite getting a strong glove on it, and the goal proved the winner.
The win sets up an intriguing showdown with Saudi Arabia on Monday morning (AEST) to decide who will top Group D and automatic qualification to AFC U20 Asian Cup China PR 2025™ with the Green Falcons also on nine points, but boasting a superior goal difference.
The five best-ranked second place teams will also qualify for China 2025.
Match Details
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
Starting XI: 2. Kayne RAZMOVSKI (3. Liam BONETIG 54'), 4. Zach LISOLAJSKI, 5. Zane SCHREIBER (21. Fabian TALLADIRA 54'), 6. Frans DELI (14. Oliver RANDAZZO 81'), 8. Alexander BADOLATO, 9. Luka JOVANOVIC, 10. Rhys YOULLEY, 11. Thomas WADDINGHAM (15. Tiago QUINTAL 59'), 12. Alexander ROBINSON (GK), 13. Panagiotis KIKIANIS, 19. Miguel DI PIZIO (7. Jonny YULL 59')
Unused substitutes: 1. Anthony PAVLESIC (GK), 16. Louis AGOSTI, 17. Jake NAJDOVSKI, 18. Daniel GRASKOSKI (GK), 20.Jesse CAMERON, 22. Arion SULEMANI, 23. Joshua INSERRA
Yellow Cards: 4. Zach LISOLAJSKI (31'), 13. Panagiotis KIKIANIS (52'), 10. Rhys YOULLEY (66'), 8. Alexander BADOLATO (88')
Red Cards: N/A
Match Schedule
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
Subway Young Socceroos v Saudi Arabia
Sunday, 29 September 2024
Prince Sultan Sports City Stadium, Abha
Kick-off: 8.00pm local / 3.00am AEST (Monday, 30 September)