THE YOUNG Socceroos lost their final qualifier 4-0 to Korea Republic but still go on to next year's AFC Youth Championship.
Despite the loss in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Australia has still qualified for next year’s AFC Youth Championships, with the top two from each preliminary qualifying group progressing to the tournament.
Going into the final group game tied on points, Korea stole an early goal after three minutes and never looked back and by half time were three goals to the good.
They added a fourth goal midway through the second half to complete the scoring.
Much of the match was played in heavy rain although the Koreans were clinical in pouncing on several hesitant moments by Australia in its own penalty box.
The opening goal came after Australia failed to clear the ball properly and they pounced quickly and had the ball in the back of the net.
Australia’s first meaningful effort on goal came in the 23rd minute, but Oliver Bozanic’s long range effort was high and wide.
Soon after Korea was up 2-0 when they again pressured the defence in the penalty box, who turned it over and the Korean striker had an easy tap-in from close range.
With the rain bucketing down, Australia was again punished for not clearing it lines effectively in the 40th minute, with goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne beaten a third time by a clinical finish from 10 metres out.
Redmayne was forced into two excellent saves after the break, but was unable to stop a solid shot in the 69th minute.
The top two berth for Australia ensures qualification for next year's 16-nation AFC Youth Championship in Saudi Arabia. The top ranked teams at next year’s tournament will qualify for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.
Korea Republic 4 (3', 28', 40', 69')
Australia 0
Going into the final group game tied on points, Korea stole an early goal after three minutes and never looked back and by half time were three goals to the good.
They added a fourth goal midway through the second half to complete the scoring.
Much of the match was played in heavy rain although the Koreans were clinical in pouncing on several hesitant moments by Australia in its own penalty box.
The opening goal came after Australia failed to clear the ball properly and they pounced quickly and had the ball in the back of the net.
Australia’s first meaningful effort on goal came in the 23rd minute, but Oliver Bozanic’s long range effort was high and wide.
Soon after Korea was up 2-0 when they again pressured the defence in the penalty box, who turned it over and the Korean striker had an easy tap-in from close range.
With the rain bucketing down, Australia was again punished for not clearing it lines effectively in the 40th minute, with goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne beaten a third time by a clinical finish from 10 metres out.
Redmayne was forced into two excellent saves after the break, but was unable to stop a solid shot in the 69th minute.
The top two berth for Australia ensures qualification for next year's 16-nation AFC Youth Championship in Saudi Arabia. The top ranked teams at next year’s tournament will qualify for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.
Korea Republic 4 (3', 28', 40', 69')
Australia 0
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