Qantas Young Socceroos suffer New Zealand defeat
The Qantas Young Socceroos (U-20) have suffered a 1-0 defeat against New Zealand in the first of the three match series being played at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra this week.
The Qantas Young Socceroos (U-20) have suffered a 1-0 defeat against New Zealand in the first of the three match series being played at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra this week.
A goal on the hour mark from Sam Jenkins was enough to settle the contest after Australia had turned over possession in the defensive third of the pitch.
Troy Hearfield came closest to scoring for the Qantas Young Socceroos striking the woodwork just prior to the goal, while half time substitute Christopher Nunes made inroads down the flank but Australia was unable to find an equaliser.
The second training match will take place on Sunday with the series concluding next Wednesday.
Australia are preparing for the AFC U-20 Championship which will take place in India during October and November. The top four teams at the 16-nation tournament will qualify for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Match Details
Qantas Young Socceroos 0 New Zealand U-20 1 (Sam Jenkins 60-)
Australian line-up: Tando Velaphi (gk), Stephen O-dor, Peter Eleftherakis, Matthew Spiranovic, Shaun Ontong, Troy Hearfield, James Downey, Chris Grossman (Tarek Elrich 79-), Bruce Djite, Evan Berger, Nathan Burns (Christopher Nunes h/t) Unused Substitutes: Jamie Cumming, Greg King, Michael Marrone, Aleks Vrteski (gk), Robbie Kruse, Joel Allwright, Wade Oostendorp
This week-s match schedule is
Qantas Young Socceroos v New Zealand u-20 Thursday 4 May, 5pm
Qantas Young Socceroos v New Zealand u-20 Sunday 7 May, 11am
Qantas Young Socceroos v New Zealand u-20 Wednesday 10 May, 5pm
Free entry to all matches which will be played at the AIS Athletic Track.
The Australian squad is:
Aleks Vrteski (gk) (Perth Glory/AIS), Tando Velaphi (gk), Michael Marrone, Peter Eleftherakis, Matthew Spiranovic, Shaun Ontong, James Downey, Troy Hearfield, Greg King, Chris Grossman, Dario Vidosic, Foad Comandari, Evan Berger, Stephen O-dor, Christopher Nunes, Nikita Rukavtysa, Joel Allwright, Robbie Kruse, Blake Charity (all AIS), Bruce Djite (AIS/Marconi Stallions, NSW), Tarek Elrich (Newcastle Jets), Wade Oostendorp (Sydney FC), Jamie Cumming (Frankston Pines, Vic), Ben Kennedy (gk) (Broadmeadow Magic, NSW)