Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kunshan: Goals from Nicholas Cowburn and Stefan Mauk secured Australia a 2-1 win over Thailand in their final warm-up match ahead of the AFC U23 Championship 2018 China which kicks-off on Tuesday.
Newcastle Jets defender Cowburn scored the first goal in the eighth minute, after Aleksandar Susnjar’s header rebounded off the bar. Cowburn was in a perfect position to slot home.
At half-time, head coach Ante Milicic made five changes to the team, and just seven minutes after the restart, substitute Mauk doubled their lead with a superb finish.
Supachok Sarachat narrowed the deficit in the 70th minute for Thailand but an equaliser eluded the young War Elephants.
Thailand are grouped with DPR Korea, Japan and Palestine in Group B, while Australia face Korea Republic, Syria and Vietnam in Group D of the AFC U23 Championship 2018.
Photo: The Football Association of Thailand