A last minute goalkeeper fumble gifted the 3-2 winner to North Korea in the last moments of the game after a dominany display by the Young Socceroos for much of the game.

And although obviously very disappointed with the loss, Versleijen, praised his team’s performance throughout the tournament.

“We tried to play good football tonight and throughout the tournament," he said. "Today we saw some good examples of that especially in midfield.

“I think we were unlucky tonight and DPR Korea was the luckier of the two teams. We were a little sloppy to concede the first two goals and there was an element of luck in the third goal that we let in.

 “I was very happy with the way that we came back from a goal down and took the lead. But this is a good learning experience for the players as we now look towards our next challenge at the FIFA U-20 World Cup next year."

He added: “If you look at where we have come from, I am very pleased with the overall performance of the players and the progress that they have made throughout the campaign. 

"In 2006 we made the quarter-finals but didn’t qualify for the World Cup. In 2008, we made the semi-finals and qualified for the World Cup.  This year we made the final and qualified for the World Cup. These results indicate the sort of progress that we are making at youth international level.

“These competitive international tournaments are extremely important for the development of our talented players.  To play six games in two weeks against various styles and oppositions is a fantastic opportunity for any player.

“It is now up to the players to play regularly with their clubs and be in the best form leading into the World Cup which is only nine months away.”