The Subway Young Socceroos have qualified for the AFC U20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™ after topping Group H with nine points in Kuwait.
Trevor Morgan’s side was pitted alongside Kuwait, India and Iraq.
Below is a recap of every game.
4-1 win vs Kuwait
Australia U-20 commenced its qualifying campaign with an impressive 4-1 victory over hosts Kuwait. Adrian Segecic opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Kuwait were reduced to 10 men with Saleh Almehtab brandished a second yellow. Gabriel Popovic slotted the ensuing spot-kick before scoring a second in the 40th minute to put the Green and Gold in a commanding 3-0 half-time lead.
Kuwait hit back from the penalty spot seven minutes after the resumption, but two minutes before full time Nectarios Triantis tapped home from close range to put the result beyond doubt.
4-1 win vs India
The Subway Young Socceroos began its match against India with the ascendancy as Garang Kuol sent an emphatic 11th-minute finish into the top corner from the edge of the area. Twenty minutes later an own goal doubled the Aussies’ advantage.
Australia struggled to play with any real fluidity in the second half with India making things difficult. Gurkirat Singh’s long-range strike ricocheted in off the post just past the hour mark, making for a few anxious moments. However, two lates goals helped settle the nerves and indeed flatter the scoreline for Australia. Adrian Segecic volleyed in Jayden Gorman’s chipped cross before Yaya Dukuly released Max Caputo one-on-one with the goalkeeper and he clinically steered his finish home.
1-0 win vs Iraq
Australia’s toughest test of the group would arrive against Iraq. Both sides headed into the final group clash on maximum points, with the Aussies boasting a +2 superior goal difference. It meant Trevor Morgan’s squad only needed a draw to claim top spot. Yaya Dukuly had a penalty saved in the first half but his blushes were spared in the 59th minute as a sliding Gabriel Popovic met Matthew Dench’s low cross from the left to win the tightly-fought contest. It was Popovic’s third goal of the campaign. Both teams continued to have chances but on the balance of play, Australia deserved the victory. Despite the loss, Iraq also qualified for next year’s tournament after finishing fourth out of the best five runners-up.
