Qantas Young Socceroos win Weifang Cup

The Socceroos have won the Weifang Cup in China, after recording a 1-0 win over Uzbekistan in its final game of the tournament, finishing a point ahead of hosts China.

The Socceroos have won the Weifang Cup in China, after recording a 1-0 win over Uzbekistan in its final game of the tournament, finishing a point ahead of hosts China.

The only goal of the game came courtesy of Adelaide United-s Matt Mullen after 31 minutes.

Australia won the tournament, ahead of China and Iran. Australia won four of its five matches, its only loss to hosts China, who scored a late winner.

Given it was the team-s fifth game in 10 days and all played in stifling heat and humidity, the match itself was a fairly lackluster affair with little in the way of good goal scoring chances.

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

Mullen-s goal will not be one he will remember for its execution, as he knew little about it. A free kick taken by Ante Cicak, saw a scramble develop in the penalty box and the ball deflects off Mullen-s back and into the goal.

Uzbekistan-s best chance to equalise came in the second half, but they shot it wide of the post.

The tournament was ideal preparation for the squad in readiness for their AFC U/20 qualifying tournament later this year.

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) * All players AIS-based unless stated otherwise