Nice touch to wheel the Champions sign in mid-shot too. 
It took twenty years but finally commentators seemed to have moved on from mentioning Schwarzer every time an Australian goalkeeper makes a save in a shootout.
Huge win and great to see.
Last time we made the final was 2010 where we lost 3-2 to North Korea. Bulut scored a brace that day and finished the tournament as top scorer with 7. Other Aussies to score goals include Mathew Fletcher, Mustafa Amini, Kofi Danning, Terry Antonis, Dylan McGowan and Mathew Leckie. Hopefully many go down the route of Leckie.
And also scoring at that tournament was Hiroshi Ibusuki (4) and Ryo Nagai (2)
You say that like it’s a bad thing? What a night. I’m happy to be reminded of it at every opportunity until we win the thing.
Also batalato and his panenka. Outrageous. The confidence of youth… Was great how they played most of the whole game and tournament I thought. Great movement, positive, energetic. Hope some of it keeps filtering through to the Socceroos if they have the talent to play like that. Especially if we can find a decent 9.
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Agreed. It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed watching Australia play, especially at youth level. There’s real promise with this group.
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Alfaro & Maltz in the squad from our academy.
Anyone know what kind of player Maltz is? Only seen Alfaro the once but really liked the kind of player he was.
I also really hope Alexander GARBOWSKI’s surname is misspelt and it’s actually Grabowski.
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A draw against Vietnam followed up by a 2-0 loss last night against the Emirates.
And playing Japan who beat UAE 4-1 and had a 1-1 draw with Vietnam next.
The kids beat Japan but a bit of a gut punch with the UAE getting an 87th minute equaliser against Vietnam. Until that goal I think we were going through (and to the world cup) behind Vietnam on top. As it is both us and Vietnam out. Tight group.
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Given no other threads. Upsets a plenty in the U17 Qtrs with 3 of the 4 second placed group finishers progressing. A dual Korea final is possible.
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Guaranteed those North Korean birth certificates are doctored by the government so they qualify
And to close out.the thread, well done Uzbekistan.
Think next junior tournament is in September - qualifying tournament for the 2026 U23 AFC Asian Cup.
Draw on 25 May 2025 for that tournament, to be held in Saudi Arabia.
Australia has ended up in Pot 2 for the draw…
And it looks like it’s 10 groups of 4-5, with winner and 5 best 2nd places progressing.
So the draw really matters.
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