AUSTRALIA EDGE KOREA REPUBLIC FOR AFF U19 TITLE

The score at the end of regulation was 0-0 and both teams decided to do away with the extra-time due to the heavy downpour which began at the start of the second half.

Both teams created several clear chances in the opening half and they certainly gave the few hundred fans that had come out to watch these young players in action something to cheer about.

Korea began with an exquisite one-two between Choi Young-dong and Lee Jong-won but the latter’s shot was pushed out by Australian keeper Andrew Redmayne.

Australia replied with an attempt from Tahj Minniecon from a melee but Korean custodian Kim Seung-gyu was there to deny them.

With the rain coming on after the breather, it affected the quality of the game as both teams having to grasp with the difficulty slippery conditions.

The chances were far in between even though Korea did bring in their prodigal midfielder Seo Yong-duk to give more attacking options.

Minniecon came close on two occasions but he just could not find the last touch to beat Seung-gyu between the posts.

With the rain soaking the playing pitch, the decision was made not to have the extra-time but to go straight into penalties.

And Australia kept their nerves to score through Sebastian Ryall, Jason Naidonski and captain James Holland for the win.

Korea missed their first three penalties from captain Lee Chang-ho, Park Jong-woo and Yang Jun-a while Kim Jae-min converted the fourth penalty.

In the meantime, China emerged as the third best team in the competition when they beat hosts Thailand 3-0 in a match that was played earlier.

The win was just revenge for the Chinese who had lost to the Thais by the same margin.

And this evening started the match with lanky forward Tan Yang back in contention after missing the last two matches with an ankle problem.

But this time round however, his presence would make a world of difference to China when he struck the first goal in the 20th minute before Yu Yang nailed the second in the 42nd minute for China to take a 2-0 lead at the break.

Tan Yang then added his second and China’s third in the game jus two minutes after the restart for the well-deserved victory.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULES and RESULTS

5 OCT 2008: KOREA REPUBLIC 1 THAILAND 0/ AUSTRALIA 3 CHINA 1

7 OCT 2008: KOREA REPUBLIC 0 AUSTRALIA 0/ CHINA 0 THAILAND 3

9 OCT 2008: CHINA 0 KOREA REPUBLIC 1/ THAILAND 1 AUSTRALIA 2

11 OCT 2008: Third and Fourth Placing – CHINA 3 THAILAND 0/ Grand Final – KOREA REPUBLIC 1 (0) AUSTRALIA 3 (0)

ROLL OF HONOUR

CHAMPIONS: Australia

RUNNERS-UP: Korea Republic

THIRD: China PR

FOURTH: Thailand

FAIRPLAY AWARD: Thailand