Young Socceroos 0 Korea Republic 4 (FOUR)

hmmm weather bad, we'd already qualified, but we were thumped by another Asian team.

Anyone worried, anyone, anyone?

FFA report below.




FFA Media Release
Thursday 15 November 2007

QANTAS YOUNG SOCCEROOS GO DOWN IN FINAL MATCH





The Qantas Young Socceroos have concluded the AFC Youth qualifying tournament in disappointing fashion going down 4-0 to Korea Republic, to finish second in the group.

Despite the loss in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Australia has still qualified for next year’s AFC Youth Championships, with the top two from each preliminary qualifying group progressing to the tournament.

Going into the final group game tied on points, Korea stole an early goal after three minutes and never looked back and by half time were three goals to the good.

They added a fourth goal midway through the second half to complete the scoring.

Much of the match was played in heavy rain although the Koreans were clinical in pouncing on several hesitant moments by Australia in its own penalty box.

The opening goal came after Australia failed to clear the ball properly and they pounced quickly and had the ball in the back of the net.

Australia’s first meaningful effort on goal came in the 23rd minute, but Oliver Bozanic’s long range effort was high and wide.

Soon after Korea was up 2-0 when they again pressured the defence in the penalty box, who turned it over and the Korean striker had an easy tap-in from close range.

With the rain bucketing down, Australia was again punished for not clearing it lines effectively in the 40th minute, with goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne beaten a third time by a clinical finish from 10 metres out.

Redmayne was forced into two excellent saves after the break, but was unable to stop a solid shot in the 69th minute.


The top two berth for Australia ensures qualification for next year's 16-nation AFC Youth Championship in Saudi Arabia. The top ranked teams at next year’s tournament will qualify for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.


Korea Republic 4 (3', 28', 40', 69')
Australia 0

Australian line-up: Andrew Redmayne (gk); Luke Devere, Sebastian Ryall, James Holland, Tahj Minniecon, Daniel Mullen, Oliver Bozanic (Matt Mullen 54’), Ryan McGowan (Peter Cvetanovski 62’), Jason Hoffman, Mitch Nichols (Mario Jesic 79’), Nathan Elasi
Subs not used: Milos Lujic, Isaka Cernak-Okanya, Matthew Jurman, Glen Trifiro, Michael Entagert (gk), Rocky Visconte

Cautions: Holland (42’), Hoffman (51’), D Mullen (67’)




The Qantas Young Socceroos squad to compete in Vietnam is:

Peter Cvetanovski, Luke DeVere, Marko Jesic, Daniel Mullen, Milos Lujic, Matthew Theodore, Isaka Cernak-Okanya, Matthew Jurman, (all AIS), Tahj Minniecon (AIS/Queensland Roar), Sebastian Ryall (Melbourne Victory), Andrew Redmayne (AIS/Central Coast Mariners), Matthew Mullen (AIS/Adelaide United), Jason Hoffman (Newcastle Jets), James Holland (AIS/Newcastle Jets), Nathan Elasi (Marconi Stallions), Glen Trifiro (Marconi Stallions), Michael McEntagert (Everton, England), Ryan McGowan (Hearts, Scotland), Rocky Visconte (Hearts, Scotland), Oliver Bozanic (Reading, England), Mitch Nichols (Queensland Roar)
* All players AIS-based unless stated otherwise


Australia v Indonesia 2-0
Tuesday 6 November

Australia v Vietnam 2-0
Thursday 8 November

Australia v Guam 15-0
Saturday 10 November

Australia v Korea Republic 0-4
Wednesday 14 November
All matches to be played at Thanh Long SC, Ho Chi Minh City