Subway Young Socceroos have one foot in the AFC U-20 Asian Cup China 2025™ quarter-finals after overcoming Qatar 3-1 in Shenzhen to accrue their second consecutive win at the tournament.
Coach Trevor Morgan made five changes to the side that defeated Kyrgyz Republic on Wednesday evening, showcasing the depth of the Young Socceroos squad, as Joshua Inserra, Tiago Quintal, Zach Lisolajski, Frans Deli, and Dean Bosnjak all made their starting debuts at the tournament.
The Young Socceroos would almost make the perfect start in the fifth minute with Sydney FC star Quintal darting past a number of Qatar defenders within the penalty box before finding a shot which was blocked by the keeper.
Qatar would be the side to take the lead early, however, with Mohamed Gouda tapping the ball home from a low cross in the 19th minute.
Not to be discouraged, the Young Socceroos equalised shortly after, with Melbourne Victory teammates combining as Inserra played a delightful cutback for Alex Badolato to finish.
Tweet: https://twitter.com/FootballAUS/status/1890720136941953187
Badolato would almost nab a brace, merely seconds after the game restarted with his long-range curling effort striking the far post and denying Australia the lead going into half-time.
The green and gold would regain that momentum in the second stanza with Jovanovic denied within the first five minutes via a free-kick, before Bosnjak rose highest from a Quintal corner to head the Young Socceroos into the lead.
Trevor Morgan looked to his bench to help close out the tie with three attacking outlets introduced in the form of Adam Bugarija, Musa Toure, and Daniel Bennie.
It would be the latter that proved a stroke of genius, as the West Australian winger fired past the near post of 'keeper Abubaker to extend the lead 10 minutes after being substituted.
Australia held onto its two-goal buffer to secure consecutive victories in Group A, thanks to Steven Hall producing two strong parries to thwart the opposition late in the match.
The Young Socceroos however, remained resolute, with a potential spot in the quarter finals secured with a game to spare, depending on the result in the subsequent fixture between Kyrgyz Republic and hosts China.
Qatar U-20: 1 (Gouda 19')
Australia U-20: 3 (Badolato 24', Bosnjak 52', Bennie 69')
Date: Saturday 15th February 2024
Venue: Shenzhen Youth Football Stadium, Shenzhen
Australia U-20 Lineup: 1. (GK) Steven Hall, 2. Joshua Inserra, 3. (C) Sebastian Esposito, 4. Panagiotis Kikianis, 6. Paul Okon-Engstler (20. Louis Agosti 82'), 9. Luka Jovanovic (13. Adam Bugarija 62'), 10. Alex Badolato (15. Jaylan Pearman 82'), 11. Tiago Quintal (19. Musa Toure 62'), 14. Zach Lisolajski, 17. Frans Deli, 21. Dean Bosnjak (7. Daniel Bennie 62')
Unused Substitutes: 5. Fabian Talladira, 8. Jonny Yull, 12. (GK) Alexander Robinson, 13. Lucas Herrington, 16. Oliver Randazzo, 18. (GK) Gus Hoefsloot, 22. Medin Memedi
