HO CHI MINH CITY (4 Sept 2012) – Australia picked up their first three points in the competition when they blasted hosts Vietnam 4-0 in their second match of the AFF Under-19 Tournament this evening at the Thong Nhat Stadium.
Both teams needed the win to bolster their chance of a place in the final but it would seem that Australia were more determined that the hosts in spite of the early pressure from Vietnam.
Striker Nguyen Xuan Nam and captain Que Ngoc Hai both tested Australian reserve keeper Paul Izzo with shots from outside the box but the latter was equal to the task with some fantastic saves.
But in the 31st minute, Australia went in front when Luke O’Dea played the ball short to Ryan Edwards to blast into goal. The score at the end of the first half was 1-0.
Eight minutes into the second half, Edwards floated in a cross which was parried out by Vietnam custodian Nguyen Son Hai, but unfortunately the ball fell onto the path of Jake Barker-Daish, who did not hesitate with the loose ball.
Four minutes later, a defensive lapse saw Jesse Makarounas pouncing in for goal No. 3. The Vietnam bench then decided to bring in Russian-born keeper Dang Van Lam and he prevented a bigger scoreline for Australia with some daring saves.
But six minutes to the end, there was no stopping Australia from getting their fourth goal following an own goal from defender Dao Duy Khanh.
In the meantime, Iran confirmed their place in the final of the tournament this year when they picked up the full six points out of two matches, following their close 2-1 win over Uzbekistan in an earlier match.
Chief coach Akbar Mohammadi Argi said after the game that both teams were struggling with the unpredictable weather conditions throughout the 90 minutes.
“It was hot at the start then it became cold right at the end, a condition which both teams have to adjust to,” said Akbar. “Today, we put what we have learned into practice and it is just another win for us.
“But today, the players also must realized that they have to finish all the chances they have created where in the second half we had at least three good opportunities. That failure to score resulted in us being put under pressure.”
With both teams fresh from their respective victories two days earlier, the game was always going to be close as afterall the last time, the two teams met in friendlies in Tashkent, it ended in an even one win and one defeat for either team.
But today, Iran seemed to be more determined where in spite of being ran ragged by Vietnam in their first match, they have the legs to take control of the midfield with Mohammad Hossein pulling the strings.
Both Roozbeh Chesmi and Sardar Azmoun had their chances but missed the target while for Uzbekistan’s best effort in the first half came off Abdumuminov Jahongir in the 18th minute but was denied by the excellent save from Hojjat Sedhi.
In the 29th minute, there was no denying Iran the lead when Azmoun made good on the cross from Roozbeh. The score at the end of the first half was 1-0 to Iran.
The second half saw a more battling performance from Uzbekistan as they look for the equalizer. In the 58th minute, a header from Yuldashov Boburbek off a freekick was cleared on the line by Mohammad Hossein.
Iran replied with Azmoun rocking the crossbar just after the hourmark before Roozbeh doubled their lead with a well taken header off a cross from Hossein Fazeli.
Uzbekistan then grabbed their only goal in the game in the 71st minute when Sergeev Igor slammed home from close range.
AFF UNDER-19 TOURNAMENT 2012
(All matches at the Thong Nhat Stadium)
2 Sept 2012: AUSTRALIA 1 UZBEKISTAN 2 / IR IRAN 2 VIETNAM 1
4 Sept 2012: UZBEKISTAN 1 IR IRAN 2 / VIETNAM 0 AUSTRALIA 4
6 Sept 2012: Australia vs IR Iran (1600) / Uzbekistan vs Vietnam (1830)
8 Sept 2012: 3rd Position vs 4th Position (1600) / Winner vs Runner-Up (1830)
