Qantas Young Socceroos qualify for Asian Championship
The Qantas Young Socceroos qualified for next year's AFC (Asian Football Confederation) U-19 Championship with a thumping 15-0 victory over group minnows Guam overnight in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
The Qantas Young Socceroos qualified for next year's AFC (Asian Football Confederation) U-19 Championship with a thumping 15-0 victory over group minnows Guam overnight in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Australia opened the scoring in the ninth minute and held a seven goal advantage by half time with ten goalcorers eventually getting their name on the scoresheet. Queensland Roar utility Mitch Nichols lead the way with a hat-trick while there were also doubles for Roar striker Tahj Minniecon (pictured), Melbourne Victory defender Sebastian Ryall and Marconi Stallions' midfielder Glen Trifiro. The other goalscorers were Marko Jesic, Milos Lujic, Jason Hoffman, Isaka Cernak-Okanya, Matthew Theodore and Luke DeVere.
The win guarantees Australia a top two berth in the qualifying group and with it qualification for next year's 16-nation 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.
Australia will compete their qualifying matches on Wednesday against the Korean Republic with the result likely to decide the winning team in the group.
In the other group match Indonesia defeated host nation Vietnam 2-0.
Match Details
Australia 15 (Mitch Nichols 9', 34', 51', Tahj Minniecon 15', 40', Glen Trifiro 31', 46+, Marko Jesic 47+, Milos Lujic 53', Jason Hoffman 60', Isaka Cernak-Okanya 70', Sebastian Ryall 74', 80', Matthew Theodore 85', Luke DeVere 94') Guam 0
Australian line-up: Michael McEntegart (gk); Matthew Jurman, Sebastian Ryall (c), Glen Trifiro, Milos Lujic (Jason Hoffman 53'), Mathew Theodore, Tahj Minniecon (Isaka Cernak-Okanya 60'), Ryan McGowan, Rocco Visconte, Mitch Nichols (Luke DeVere 76'), Marko Jesic Subs not used: Andrew Redmayne (gk), Pece Cvetanovski, James Holland, Daniel Mullen Unavailable: Matthew Mullen, Oliver Bozanic, Nathan Elasi (all suspended)
Cautions: McGowan (88')
Australia are in Group G in the preliminary qualifying competition alongside Korea Republic, Indonesia, Guam and host-nation Vietnam. The top-two teams from each of seven preliminary stage groups will advance to the Asian finals in 2008 along with the best third-placed team. Hosts Saudi Arabia qualify automatically for the finals which will be held from November 1-16, 2008.
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 Wednesday 14 November All matches to be played at Thanh Long SC, Ho Chi Minh City