Young talents Dean Bosnjak and Alexander Badolato both scored as the Young Socceroos staged a remarkable comeback to secure a 3-1 victory over Qatar in their opening match of the AFC Under-20 Asian Cup.
After a resounding 5-1 triumph against Kyrgyz Republic in their opening group stage match, the Young Socceroos entered their second encounter brimming with confidence. However, they fell behind in the 19th minute when Mohamed Khaled Gouda netted the opener for Qatar in Shenzhen, China.
Featured image: Football Australia
Just five minutes after going a goal down, the Young Socceroos equalised thanks to Badolato, who skilfully converted a cutback cross from Melbourne Victory’s Joshua Inserra.
This goal came just two days following the announcement of Badolato’s loan transfer from Western Sydney Wanderers to Melbourne Victory for the rest of the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
READ MORE: Victory secures Young Socceroo with ‘enormous quality’ on loan from A-Leagues rivals
The first half concluded with the score tied at 1-1, but just seven minutes into the second half, Bosnjak, a striker for the Bulls, headed in from a corner taken by Sydney FC’s Tiago Quintal, putting Australia ahead in this Group A fixture.
With a 2-1 lead in Shenzhen, the Young Socceroos sought to extend their advantage, and former Perth Glory player Daniel Bennie delivered a brilliant goal, sending a powerful shot into the top-right corner in the 69th minute to secure the victory for Australia.
With two wins from their first two group stage matches, the Young Socceroos will secure a place in the knockout round if Kyrgyz Republic fail to overcome China PR in their later match on Saturday.
Australia’s final group stage game will take place against China PR on Tuesday, February 18 at Bao’an Sports Centre Stadium in Shenzhen, with kickoff scheduled for 10:30 PM AEDT.
RESULTS FROM SATURDAY
CITY 1-0 GLORY: Dreams come true for a 17-year-old academy graduate whose historic goal secures three points for City
WESTERN 0-2 AUCKLAND: Auckland solidifies their top position as a stunning goal from May inspires victory over top-four contenders
ADELAIDE 1-2 JETS: The Jets’ new dynamic duo strikes again, stunning Adelaide in an upset defeat
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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