Qantas Young Socceroos rout Vietnam

The Qantas Young Socceroos defeated Vietnam 4-0 in their second match of the AFF U19 Tournament at Thong Nhat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

The Qantas Young Socceroos defeated Vietnam 4-0 in their second match of the AFF U19 Tournament at Thong Nhat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Qantas Young Socceroos head coach Paul Okon made nine changes to the starting line-up due to the fact that his team was to play four matches in eight days.

The first 30 minutes was a very even contest and Vietnam forced a couple of great saves out of the Qantas Young Socceroos goalkeeper Paul Izzo. From then on the Qantas Young Socceroos took control the game.

The opening goal for the Qantas Young Socceroos came around the half hour mark when Luke O-Dea passed to Ryan Edwards in the box who drew out the Vietnamese goalkeeper, Nguyen Son Hai, and neatly slotted the ball into the back of the net.

The Qantas Young Socceroos doubled their lead eight minutes into the second half when Hayden Morton carried the ball out of defence and, with a pinpoint pass, hit Ryan Edwards on the break down the right side.

Edwards outran his opponent down the flank and dribbled into the box. The Vietnam goalkeeper came out to close down Edwards who then chipped the ball across to Jake Barker-Daish who finished the move with a calmly taken goal.

Three minutes later the Qantas Young Socceroos extended their lead following a series of passes through the midfield the ball that ended with Reece Caira shooting from range.

Caira-s shot was blocked by the Vietnam goalkeeper but fortunately Jesse Makarounas was on hand to tap in the rebound.

The scoring was completed in the 83rd minute when a Qantas Young Socceroos corner was cleared by Vietnam to Caira in the midfield.

Caira played the ball to David Vrankovic at the far edge of the box who then headed back into the six-yard box for Adam Taggart to take full advantage of and slot home for his team-s fourth goal.

Okon said was much happier with performance and result compared to the opening match against Uzbekistan.

“It was a tough first 30 minutes with Vietnam putting us under a lot of pressure trying to stop us playing out from the back. Credit to our players that they persisted and were able to start to break them down and we got our reward with the first goal,” he said.

“In the second half we started very well keeping possession, moved the ball well and as a result we scored 3 more goals and created numerous opportunities that could have made the score line even greater.

"The final score is pleasing because as in the first game against Uzbekistan we had the same scoring opportunities but tonight we were able to convert them.

“We look forward to the next match against Iran knowing it will be another test as we continue our preparation towards the AFC U-19 Championships in UAE in November,” concluded Okon.

The Qantas Young Socceroos will face IR Iran in their next match of the tournament on Thursday (6 September).

Match Details Qantas Young Socceroos 4 (Ryan Edwards 30-, Jake Barker Daish 53-, Jesse Makarounas 56-, Adam Taggart 83-) Vietnam 0 Thong Nhat Stadium, Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Qantas Young Socceroos line-up: Paul Izzo (gk),, Daniel Petkovski,, Jake Barker-Daish, (Corey Brown 76-), Jesse Makarounas, Riley Woodcock, Hagi Gligor (Reece Caira 46-), Hayden Morton, Ryan Edwards (C) (Adam Taggart 65 ‘),Brandon O-Neill, Luke O-Dea , David Vrankovic

Substitutes Not Used: Nick Munro (gk), Jason Geria, Connor Chapman, Terry Antonis, Ben Garuccio, Mitch Cooper

Yellow cards: Reece Caira 60-.