Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Yangon: Jaushua Sotirio was on target as Australia claimed a 1-0 victory over Indonesia, keeping the Young Socceroos on track for an AFC U-19 Championship quarter-final place whilst simultaneously eliminating the Southeast Asians from the competition, following the Group B tie at Thuwunna Youth Training Centre Stadium on Sunday.
The Western Sydney Wanderers starlet was one of five new faces in the Australia starting line-up following their 1-1 draw with United Arab Emirates in the tournament opener on Friday, and the striker made no mistake on 65 minutes to net the game's only goal.
The result eliminates Indonesia from the tournament, following their 3-1 defeat to Uzbekistan on Friday, and they now only play for pride as they travel to the Wunna Theikdi Stadium in Nay Pyi Taw to face the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday. Australia, meanwhile, will stay in Yangon to face Uzbekistan with Group B still in the balance.
"We wanted to freshen the team up with only 48 hours between games, I was pleased with those five changes and the three lads that came off the bench to help us get the result," said Australia coach Paul Okon.
"Jaushua's only been with us a couple of months and he's made a big impact – we were saving him for this game and I thought he worked hard and deserved his goal."
"We knew if we could keep the Indonesian midfield quiet then we would have opportunities to score and fortunately we were able to execute that plan."
Australia's goalscorer from the first game, Brandon Borrello, conjured up a piece of individual skill in the 14th minute for the first real opportunity of the match. Picking up the ball 25 yards out with his back to goal, he turned past two defenders and shot across the bow of the Indonesia goal, only just missing the far post.
Australia went even closer in the 19th minute when Sotirio had his header from an Australian corner cleared off the line by Fatchu Rochman.
Indonesia struggled to penetrate the Australian defence, characterised by the 39th minute efforts by Ilham Armaiyn, attempting to cut in from the right hand side of the box he was forced away from goal, unable to find space to shoot through the wall of green and gold.
In the second half, Indonesia came out hard at the Young Soceroos, with Evan Dimas making himself a particular nuisance.
And on the 50 minute mark Dimas twisted and turned in the box, unable to find assistance from his teammates, he ran behind the Australian defence and slid the ball across the goal mouth, but without support the ball ran harmlessly away.
A further Dimas chance came six minute later when Armaiyn collected the ball in his own half and ran at goal before his pass found Dimas to unleash a shot from the top of the box and forcing a fine save from Jordan Thurtell.
Indonesia's pressure gave Australia the opportunity to break shortly after the hour-mark, though, as Borrello played a long ball through to Sotirio who advanced into the box before placing the ball firmly to the keeper's right to give his side the lead.
Now on top, the Australian team had the composure to finish the job and ensure a valuable three points.
"The players have struggled on the field to deliver what we prepared, but they gave it their best and we look forward to the final match." said Indonesia coach Indra Syafri.
"Dimas is our best player he has the best physical fitness within the team and it showed."