Williams brace sees U20's home against UAE

The Qantas Young Socceroos have survived its second straight game with just 10-men, defeating the United Arab Emirates 2-0, to now face a difficult quarter final against defending AFC Youth Champions Korea Republic. David Williams scored both Australia's goals.

The Qantas Young Socceroos have survived its second straight game with just 10-men, defeating the United Arab Emirates 2-0, to now face a difficult quarter final against defending AFC Youth Champions Korea Republic.

Brondby striker David Williams scored a confidence boosting double, but in what is a massive loss, Adelaide United-s Nathan Burns will miss the match against Korea after being sent off just before half-time after receiving a second yellow card.

Both teams played the second half with ten men, after the UAE had a player sent off earlier for a straight red card, following a tackle on Chris Grossman. The win however was set up in the first 30 minutes of the match, with Williams scoring twice, the first after 13 minutes and the second on the half hour mark.

Coach Ange Postecoglou made seven changes from the team that won 3-1 against Thailand two days ago, giving Mitchell Langerak, Oliver Bozanic, Sebastian Ryall, Troy Hearfield and Tarek Elrich their first starts, while Shaun Ontong and David Williams were recalled.

Australia opened the scoring after 13 minutes when Bozanic made a run down the left and crossed to Williams at the back post, who headed powerfully home.

The UAE then had a player sent off in the 20th minute and ten minutes later Williams made it 2-0 when he hit home a cutback from Chris Grossman, who received a good ball from Hearfield.

With half time approaching however, Australia-s tournament hopes were dealt a blow when Burns, having been ruled offside, kicked the ball away in frustration and duly received a yellow card, his second of the match. His red card now means he misses the clash with defending champions Korea on Monday.

Postecoglou later revealed that he was going to take Burns off at half time, to give him a rest in preparation for the Korea match.

The second half saw the UAE control the play, but they never seriously threatened the Australian goal, with their only real chance coming three minutes from the end, which they sprayed wide.

Postecoglou had mixed feelings after the game, obviously happy with the result, but not entirely happy with the teams performance.

“Obviously we got the right result, but we didn-t play that well,” he said shortly after the game. “The boys again worked hard, but we looked a little tired and lacked some sharpness.

“We worked so hard in the last game and again with only ten men, we had to work hard in this game.

“It-s very disappointing,” Postecoglou said of Burns send-off. “He was very naïve to think he wouldn-t get a yellow card and what-s worse we were going to take him off at half time, with the strong position we were in.”

Despite the tough run the team has had in the group stage, Postecoglou believes this could help them for the clash with the Koreans, who have won four of the last five AFC Youth Championships.

“They have played well, but their group was probably the easiest of the lot and I don-t think they had a tough game,” Postecoglou added. “ They certainly haven-t faced anyone as tough as we will be in the quarter final and lets hope our three tough games means we are better prepared than they are.”

Postecoglou will get striker Bruce Djite back for the clash with the Koreans, after he served his one-game ban after his send off against Thailand. The match will kick-off at 9.30pm AEDT on Monday night.

Match Details

Australia 2 (David Williams 13/30) UAE 0

Australian line-up: Mitchell Langerak (gk); Stephen O-Dor, Sebastian Ryall, Matt Spiranovic, Oliver Bozanic, Chris Grossman (Brad Porter h/t), Shaun Ontong, Troy Hearfield, Tarek Elrich (James Downey h/t), David Williams (Dario Vidosic 76-), Nathan Burns Subs not used: Tando Velaphi (gk), Peter Eleftherakis, Evan Berger, Michael Marrone, Kaz Patafta Unavailable: Bruce Djite (suspended)

Cautions: Burns (27-/44-), O-Dor (66-), Porter (75-) Red Card: Burns (44-)

Australia v China - 0-1 Australia v Thailand - 3-1 Australia v United Arab Emirates - 2-0

Quarter Finals Korea Repulic v Australia Monday 6 November, 4.00pm (9.30pm AEDT)

Semi Finals Thursday 9 November, 4pm and 7pm

Final (and 3/4 match) Sunday 12 November, 7pm (and 4pm)

More information on the Qantas Young Socceroos including player profiles can be found at the FFA website via the following link:-

www.footballaustralia.com.au/default.aspx?s=aus_mensu20s_player_profiles