Young Socceroos qualify for AFC Youth Championship

The Young Socceroos (u-20) have qualified for the Asian Youth Championship after topping their preliminary qualifying group following a comprehensive 4-0 win over Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Following Australia’s 3-0 win earlier this week over Turkmenistan, and Sri Lanka’s 2-1 win over the same opponent on Friday, the Socceroos needed to secure at least a draw to progress. The first half remained scoreless, however the Australians completely dominated the second period with goals from firstly Troy Hearfield and Chris Grossman, before substitute Bruce Djite scored a double in the final ten minutes to conclude the scoring.

Australia created a number of scoring opportunities in the first half but it wasn’t until two minutes after the interval that the deadlock was broken. Hearfield, who had previously scored twice against Turkmenistan, got on the end of a free kick to head home. The youngster from the NSW country town of Tamworth, then turned provider crossing for Grossman to double the advantage. Djite completed the scoring with late goals, the second from a cross by Newcastle Jets’ Tarek Elrich.

Australia have become the 16th and final qualifier for the AFC Youth Championship in India in October and have now joined Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Japan, DPR Korea, defending champions Korea Republic plus host nation India.

"The intensity from the boys was good in what were very hot conditions,” said Young Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou.

”We could have wrapped up the match a little earlier than we did having created quite a few chances but once we finally scored we were pretty much comfortable and could have scored a few more.

“The players have done well here considering we have only had limited time together but we now have around seven months to prepare for the championship and really have the boys playing the way we want.”

The tournament will commence on October 29 and conclude on November 12 with the top four teams to qualify for the 2007 FIFA World Youth Championship in Canada.

Australia   4 (Troy Hearfield 47’, Chris Grossman 70’, Bruce Djite 80’, 82’)

Sri Lanka   0

Australian line-up:

Alex Vrteski (gk); Steven O’Dor, Matthew Spiranovic, Michael Marrone, Tarek Elrich, Evan Berger (Greg King 60’), Shaun Ontong (Wade Oostendorp 79’), Kaz Patafta, Chris Grossman, David Williams, Troy Hearfield (Bruce Djite 73’).

Cautions: Williams 3’, Patafta 46’, Elrich 78’, Oostendorp 90’, Djite 90’

Australia vs Turkmenistan -- Aus 3-0
Sugathadash Stadium, Colombo
Wednesday 22 February, 4pm (9pm AEDST)

Sri Lanka vs Turkmenistan -- SL 2-1
Sugathadash Stadium, Colombo
Friday 24 February, 4pm (9pm AEDST)

Sri Lanka vs Australia -- Aus 4-0
Sugathadash Stadium, Colombo
Sunday 26 February, 4pm (9pm AEDST)