Young Socceroos @ AFF U19 Championships

[Rowdy]

Woooohooo, we get to see 'Junior' !
..... well some of us.

Optus make broadcast announcement:

Australian football fans will be able to watch two of the country’s national teams at their respective major tournaments courtesy of Optus Sport.

Optus, which also has rights to the English Premier League, has announced that it will show all of the Australian teams in action at the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2016 in Columbia and the 2016 Asean Football Federation U19 Championship.

Optus Sport will broadcast all of the Futsalroos’ matches at the FIFA Futsal 2016 World Cup LIVE as well as the Semi Finals and the Final.

This will be the same for the Young Socceroos’ campaign at the 2016 Asean Football Federation U19 Championship to be held in Vietnam from 11-24 September.

The Futsalroos opened their World Cup campaign with a 3-2 win over Mozambique yesterday afternoon with their remaining group matches against Brazil (14 September) and Ukraine (17 September).

The Semi Finals are set down for 27/28 September with the Final to be played on October 1.

The Young Socceroos’ group matches at the AFF U19 Championship are against Cambodia (12 September), Myanmar (14 September), Indonesia (16 September), Thailand (18 September) and Laos (20 September).

 

[JoyfulPenguin]

Woooohooo, we get to see 'Junior' !
..... well some of us.

Optus make broadcast announcement:

Australian football fans will be able to watch two of the country’s national teams at their respective major tournaments courtesy of Optus Sport.

Optus, which also has rights to the English Premier League, has announced that it will show all of the Australian teams in action at the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2016 in Columbia and the 2016 Asean Football Federation U19 Championship.

Optus Sport will broadcast all of the Futsalroos’ matches at the FIFA Futsal 2016 World Cup LIVE as well as the Semi Finals and the Final.

This will be the same for the Young Socceroos’ campaign at the 2016 Asean Football Federation U19 Championship to be held in Vietnam from 11-24 September.

The Futsalroos opened their World Cup campaign with a 3-2 win over Mozambique yesterday afternoon with their remaining group matches against Brazil (14 September) and Ukraine (17 September).

The Semi Finals are set down for 27/28 September with the Final to be played on October 1.

The Young Socceroos’ group matches at the AFF U19 Championship are against Cambodia (12 September), Myanmar (14 September), Indonesia (16 September), Thailand (18 September) and Laos (20 September).

So this is only for Optus subscribers?

 

[Rowdy]

..... well some of us..

 

[sydmariner]

So this is only for Optus subscribers?

the futsalroos games are also on sbs

 

[Forum Phoenix]

I've been wanting someone to do this forever. Think I will have to change to Optus.

 

[Rowdy]

Australia defeated Cambodia 2-0.

In another moment of prestige for the Central Coast Mariners, our 'own' Junior Rose led out the Young Socceroos wearing the Captain's armband for this clash in Vietnam.

There was a heavy downpour just prior to the game & light to medium drizzle throughout the 1st half that affected the quality of play, although a determined Cambodian defence stood long and hard to fend off the incessant onslaught of the physically superior Australians.

The slick conditions made for some loose tackling from the Aussies early on and at 4 mins in Junior, playing DM, could have been sent off with a heavy sliding hit, he was extremely lucky to not even pick up a Yellow for it.

The Aussie boys looked like they were playing a Cambodian U16's sized team (with a few U14's given a run as well ) , so much physically stronger across the park. See photo below:

Cambodia earned a free kick 35 yards out and they had a crack shot on target top right corner, forcing the Aussie keeper into a diving parry to save.

A lot of the play was coming through Junior when playing out from the back, with his usual 'nice' sliding-diagonal passes through to the attacking third. However with the attacking mids turning over possession regularly he impatiently tried too many longer balls over the top, the CB's were guilty of this too often as well, (thinking they were Zwanny in disguise).

The Cambodians were very mobile in defence, with a player always springing out of their shape to close down whichever Aussie had the ball but we controlled the midfield with physicality and superior passing, Cambodia did do well to keep it level at 0-0 going in at half-time.

Ex-Mariner/Manly NPL's Dejan Pandurevic came on at 60 mins and injected himself straight into the attacking raids.

At the 62 min mark, a 'mad' scramble in Cambodia's box trying to clear out from an Australian corner eventually landed at the feet of Sydney FC's George Blackwood and his attempt at 4 yrd's out found the back of the net but may have been put down as a Cambodian 'own-goal', not sure.

3 minutes later, after an Australian player was brought down in the box - Blackwood scored another from the penalty spot to go 2-0 up.

80th min and an attack down the rhs saw the ball crossed into the box across the face of goal for Dejan Pandurevic sliding in, only to be a yard too late in anticipating what should have been a simple tap-in at the back post.

88th min, Pandurevic had a shot on goal from just inside the area, it deflected up off a defender - still on target, only to then be saved by a diving GK who touched it over the crossbar.

2 mins later Dejan had another rifling shot, again saved solidly by the GK.

Must of been 6-7 good chances at goal in the last 10 mins of play, with final whistle blown at 93 min.

Next up they play Myanmar

 

[Rowdy]

In Vietnam, Junior is known as:
'Lamb Ross' !

Very fitting, that Lamb with a sprig of Ross-mary is somewhat of an iconic Australian 'Sunday dinner' past time.

 

[Rowdy]

The Young Socceroos have downed Myanmar 3-0 to remain undefeated at the AFF Under-19 Championships.

Myanmar looked content to sit deep and try and hit on the counter attack with Australia making the most of their opportunities on Wednesday night.

Ufuk Talay’s side took the lead just after the quarter hour mark when George Timotheou’s long-range shot was parried by the keeper, with Dejan Pandurevic squeezing it home from close range.

It was 2-0 just 10 minutes later as a swift counter attack from the Young Socceroos ended with Lachlan Scott’s cross being swept in by Pandurevic for his second.

Myanmar applied more pressure after the break but Australia’s defence was rarely troubled and they continued to dominate possession and chances.

And they capped a dominant performance with a third goal inside the last 10 minutes as Scott was rewarded for his excellent display with a goal of his own.

“The boys played well even though the ground was a little hard for the short passes,” Young Socceroos boss Talay said afterwards.

“We improved into the second half although we should have been more clinical with the finishes.”

 

[dibo]

I watched a fair bit of the game; they played some really nice one-touch stuff, and they had a really good structure. A number of times they'd play forward, and they'd get shut off but quickly change angle of attack and pull the opposition way out of shape.

If Okon had a bit to do with their play (and I reckon he did), then I'm pretty optimistic for our year that we'll at least try to play some good football.

 

[Rowdy]

The Young Socceroos won their 3rd game 3-1 against Indonesia.
Goals to - Jayden Prasad, George Blackwood & Mario Shabow.

 

[Rowdy]

Young Socceroos downed by classy Thailand:

The Young Socceroos starting XI against Thailand.

The Young Socceroos have suffered their first defeat at the AFF Under-19 Championships after going down to Thailand in Vietnam on Sunday night.

In a match between the last two unbeaten sides in Group B, Thailand proved too strong for the young Aussies as they prevailed 5-1. Despite the defeat Ufuk Talay’s Australians should still progress to the semi-finals, needing only a draw in their final group match against Laos on Tuesday to advance. “It’s obviously a disappointing result for our team but more importantly we are here to prepare for the AFC Championships and we are learning more about our players with each match we play,” Talay said. “We still have one more group match against Laos in a couple of days then hopefully a semi and a final to continue to try and improve as a group.” While Thailand is the defending champions at the tournament it was the Young Socceroos who made stronger start and took the lead inside 13 minutes. Sydney FC youngster George Blackwood produced a solo effort with an excellent finish from inside the box past Thai keeper Chakorn Philaklong. But Thailand equalised four minutes later through Sowarit Panthong before delivering a blow just before the break as Supachai Chaided nailed the first of his three goals on the night to make it 2-1 to the Thais. Supachai doubled his tally on the hour mark before completing his treble eight minutes from time with a deft chip. The scoring was completed in stoppage time as Thai striker Worachit Kanitsribumphen tapped into an empty net.

 

[Rowdy]

Noticed that Junior is missing from the starting XI Team photo for that Thailand game. Cant seem to find a team sheet or match review for the Thai game to see if he even took the pitch ???

Despite that heavy loss the YS went on to beat Laos 2-1 in their final game.

Finishing on 12pts in second place in Group B, 1pt behind Group winner Thailand on 13pts.

This puts them through to the semi-finals, where they'll face the tournament's host country - Vietnam, which will surely be a capacity crowd and extremely hostile.

Hopefully there'll be NO 'home-town' cooking served up by the Ref's.

If the boys pull off a win they'll most likely again face the defending Champions Thailand in the Grand Final play-off, who face Timor-Leste in their semi.

 

[dibo]

Vietnam and Thailand are both tidy sides - a tough game coming up and if we win, a very tough final!

 

[Rowdy]

AFF VIETCOMBANK U19: Australia deny hosts Vietnam for place in final

Hosts Vietnam’s hope of a second successive final of the AFF Vietcombank Under-19 Championship was denied when Australia emerged victorious 5-2 in the second semi-final tie that was played this evening at the Hang Day Stadium.

Four goals in the first half underlined Australia’s seriousness to make the final of the meet after narrowly missing on it in 2015 and where they will take on Thailand in two days.

“It was a very good first-half. We are here to be challenged and Vietnam came back in the second half which was very good,” said Australian head coach Ufuk Talay.

“We made some changes in the second half and that changed the face of the game. But we need to make them so as to avoid risking injuries and those who were tired.”

With Australia going for a more attacking option against the homes team, it forced Vietnam into defensive mode. It did not take long for the more physically Australians to prise open the lead in the 21st minute when striker George Blackwood made good on a cross from Mario Shabow.

Three minutes later and Australia were two goals up with Mario now finishing a fine run from Joseph Champness and then nailing his second in the 35th minute for them to be 3-0 in front at the half.

Vietnam started stronger into the second half but it was Australia who went ahead again in the 53rd minute through Blackwood.

The stocky Hi Minh Di then made a fine finish for Vietnam from inside the box the 58th minute to pull a goal back before earning a penalty just seven minutes later.

Ha Duc Chinh did not disappoint from the spot to put the score at 4-2 to Australia’s advantage.

Several substitutions later failed to ignite Vietnam as Champness then finished off a fine evening for Australia with their fifth goal of the game seven minutes to the end.

Head coach Hoang Anh Tuan, who had only recently led the side to the recent KBZ Bank Cup U19 Championship crown, was clearly disappointed with the performance of his chargers.

“It was awful. If we continue to play like this then we certainly don’t deserve to be in the final,” he added.

“The attitude and the spirit of the players are not very good. The way we play the game is more important than the score line.”

Result of the other Semi-Final:
Thailand 2, defeated Timor Leste 1

 

[Rowdy]

AFF VIETCOMBANK U19: Sweet revenge as Australia win crown !

Revenge is sweet they say and Australia picked up the crown in the AFF Vietcombank Under-19 Championship when they thumped Thailand 5-1 in the final that was played this evening at the Hang Day Stadium.

The score was the reverse Thailand had notched against the Australians in a Group B encounter just several days earlier.

Naturally, the win brought up a big smile on head coach Ufuk Talay afterwards.
“We tweaked the team a little bit from the one that played against Thailand earlier where we played a lot wider to create more space for the midfielders to come in between the lines,” said Ufuk.

“We love coming to these AFF competitions where in this two weeks, we got seven quality games which we can bring to Bahrain.”

With the loss in the group stage still weighs heavily on Australia, they did not waste any time in pressing Thailand in their own half in the opening quarter.

And just eleven minutes in, Australia grabbed the lead when Connor O’Toole floated in a long corner that was headed into goal by Keanu Baccus at the far post.

Thailand seemed to be a little off colour on the night as they continued to struggle to find their rhythm with the usually reliable Worachit Kanitsribumphen lost in the middle of the park.

In the 20th minute, Australia prised open the Thai defence for the second time when Steve Kumanovski ran in from the left before turning a defender to fire home.

With the score at 2-0 to Australia’s advantage, Thailand pushed harder in the second half but they were just lacking that bite they had shown in the group matches.

Australia on the other hand was finding it easier each time they go forward and within the space of just four minutes, they blasted in three goals through George Blackwood (73rd), Joseph Champness (75th) and Kuzmanovski (77th) to make sure that the cup was theirs for the taking.

Thailand rallied back into the game late in injury time with substitute Jakkit Wakkpirom finally finding the back of the net albeit a little late for a revival.

RESULTS:
FINAL
Australia 5 def Thailand 1

THIRD & FOURTH PLACING
Vietnam 4 def Timor Leste 0

 

[Rowdy]

Massive turnaround from our lads, reversing the scoreline was quite a statement indeed, the Thai's definetly weren't as sharp as they were in the first pool encounter.

Steve Kuzmanovski was the standout player for me. The Aussies hit the post and bar quite a few times and may have just added a few more.

Thai Coach must have put a rocket under them at half-time being 2-0 down, as they came out with a bit more vigour creating plenty of chances in the first 10-15mins of the 2nd half.

But overall, they started to look gassed-out of energy and the Aussie front 3 were easily getting in behind the Thai back 4 to lay on another 3 quality goals.

 

[Rowdy]

Bring on the U20 World Cup
..... & the loss of Junior @ CCM .

 

[Rowdy]

Good picture quality stream of the game if anyones interested:

 

[JoyfulPenguin]

Massive turnaround from our lads, reversing the scoreline was quite a statement indeed, the Thai's definetly weren't as sharp as they were in the first pool encounter.

Steve Kuzmanovski was the standout player for me. The Aussies hit the post and bar quite a few times and may have just added a few more.

Thai Coach must have put a rocket under them at half-time being 2-0 down, as they came out with a bit more vigour creating plenty of chances in the first 10-15mins of the 2nd half.

But overall, they started to look gassed-out of energy and the Aussie front 3 were easily getting in behind the Thai back 4 to lay on another 3 quality goals.

That's very interesting about Kuzmanovski considering he was released by Melbourne City and is now playing for the Kidderminster Harriers in the sixth tier of English football. Could be a good recruit for us? I heard he had some personality issues though...

 

[JoyfulPenguin]

That's very interesting about Kuzmanovski considering he was released by Melbourne City and is now playing for the Kidderminster Harriers in the sixth tier of English football. Could be a good recruit for us? I heard he had some personality issues though...

Whoops got him mixed up with another player! I'm an idiot though you all already knew that