Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Bangkok: Striker Daniel Maskin scored the winner with 15 minutes remaining as Australia edged out Malaysia 2-1 in the quarter-finals of the AFC U-16 Championship on Sunday.
Australia started positively at Muangthong Stadium, but fell behind to a goal from midfielder Kogileswaran Raj after 30 minutes only to equalise through striker Cameron Joice four minutes later.
But it was Maskin who was the hero as the striker netted the winner in the 75th minute as Australia also secured qualification for the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.
Australia had the better of the opening stages and had their first chance inside 10 minutes as Charlie Devereux met Jamie Dimitroff's cross from the left only to see his close range effort deflected over the crossbar.
And just before the 20 minute mark, the Joeys went close again as Devereux fired a powerful left-footed shot from outside the penalty area just over the crossbar.
Malaysia finally created their first chance of note a minute later, but Muhammad Najmuddin's effort from just outside the penalty area was deflected just wide of Australia's post.
Tony Vidmar's Australia went back on the attack, though, as Dimitroff failed to find the target following a beautiful one-two with forward Jackon Bandiera.
But Malaysia then took the lead on the half hour mark as Raj burst into the area from the right before firing an unstoppable right-footed shot across Australia goalkeeper Duro Dragicevic.
Australia, though, levelled within four minutes as Joice tapped in Dimitroff's left wing cross from six yards out.
Malaysia, though, went back on the front foot and could have retaken the lead eight minutes before the interval when Najmuddin ran past two Australia defenders but custodian Dragicevic was off his line quickly to narrow the angle.
And just before half-time, Malaysia captain Muhammad Shahrul Akmal struck the top of the crossbar with a speculative effort from fully 30 yards.
But the Joeys dominated possession at the beginning of the second half and went close 10 minutes after the restart as Maskin shot over from just inside the area after being teed up by midfielder Jake Brimmer.
And Vidmar's Australia continued to keep the ball well but chances were few and far between as the dreaded penalty shootout drew ever nearer.
But then with 15 minutes left on the clock substitute Peter Kekeris beat defender Muhammad Ghaffar for pace down the left before his cross was cleverly dummied by Joice at the front post and swept in at the back post by the unmarked Maskin.
Malaysia pushed for the equaliser in the final 10 minutes and nearly levelled two minutes from time as Najmuddin headed agonisingly over from Raj's cross.