Young Socceroos win Weifang Cup

QANTAS YOUNG SOCCEROOS WIN SIX-TEAM WEIFANG CUP

The Qantas Socceroos have won the Weifang Cup in China overnight after recording a 1-0 win over Uzbekistan in their match finishing the tournament one point ahead of hosts China.


Australia won four of their five matches winning the tournament ahead of second-placed China with Iran in third position. The only defeat for the Qantas Young Socceroos was against China who scored a late winner from the penalty spot.

The match, again played in stifling heat and humidity, was a fairly lacklustre affair with little in the way of goal scoring opportunities.

While Australia had the better of play for the much of the game, Uzbekistan often looked dangerous on the counter, especially early in the match.

Despite its importance Mullen’s goal will not be remembered for its execution with the ball deflecting off his back into the goal after a goalmouth scramble following an Ante Cicak free kick.


“I’m very pleased with the performance of the team throughout the tournament especially considering the conditions which were challenging to say the least,” said Qantas Young Socceroos coach Steve O’Connor.

“We had some excellent results against some quality opposition, with our only loss in the five matches coming against the host nation after a somewhat controversial penalty.

“The conditions were extremely difficult with temperatures reaching the high 30’s and it has shown the boys they need to be prepared mentally as well as physically.

“Overall it was a very valuable experience and a great opportunity to play against good opposition in a different environment.”

The tournament is the first international outing for the current generation of Young Socceroos. Qualification for the 2009 FIFA World Youth Cup will commence in October with the first stage of qualifying to be followed next year by the AFC U-19 Championship.





Match Details



Australia 1 (Matt Mullen 31’)

Uzbekistan 0



Australian line-up: Andrew Redmayne (gk), Luke De Vere, Sebastian Ryall, James Holland, Matt Mullen, Isaka Cernak-Okanya, Tahj Minniecon (James Brown 60’), Dane Milovanovic (Richard Greer 83’), Milos Lujic (Jason Hoffman 70’), Ante Cicak (Alex Sunasky 78’), Daniel Mullen (Matthew Theodore 62’)



Cautions: Nil





Other Results

Australia v Korean Republic 1-0 (Matt Mullen)

Friday 27 July



Australia v Iran 4-1 (James Holland 8’/76’, Milos Lujic 26’/89’)

Sunday 29 July



Australia v China 0-1

Tuesday 31 July



Australia v Shandong Luneng 5-3 (James Holland 2’, Isaka Cernak-Okanya 18’, Bonel Obradovic 57’, Jason Hoffman 72’ Richard Greer 76’ pen).

Thursday 2 August



Australia v Uzbekistan 1-0 (Matt Mullen 31’)

Saturday 4 August



The Qantas Young Socceroos squad at the Weifang Cup:



Luke De Vere, Dane Milovanovic, James Holland, Ante Cicak, Daniel Mullen, James Brown, Richard Greer, Tahj Minniecon (AIS/Queensland Roar), Jerrad Tyson, Bonel Obradovic, Milos Lujic, Sebastian Ryall, Andrew Redmayne (AIS/Central Coast Mariners), Matthew Mullen (AIS/Adelaide United), Alex Sunasky, Matthew Theodore, Isaka Cernak-Okanya, Matthew Jurman, Matthew Harper, Jason Hoffman (uncontracted