Melbourne Victory Youth midfielder Milos Lujic netted a brace as the Qantas Young Socceroos defeated China PR 3-1 in the opening match of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) U19 Youth Championship in Thailand overnight.
Melbourne Victory Youth midfielder Milos Lujic netted a brace as the Qantas Young Socceroos defeated China PR 3-1 in the opening match of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) U19 Youth Championship in Thailand overnight.
After conceding a goal three minutes into the match, Lujic equalised for Australia soon after, neatly placing his shot past the Chinese goalkeeper from a James Holland pass.
Lujic then netted his second goal on 18 minutes when he headed home a Tahj Minniecon cross, while Victory defender Sebastian Ryall was also a solid performer at the other end of the pitch.
Midway through the second half, Australia had a chance to extend its lead when Thomas Oar hit the cross bar with a great strike. Unfortunately, Holland was unable to head in the rebound.
Mitch Nichols finally scored the Qantas Young Socceroos third goal on 74 minutes when he headed home a long lofted pass from Peter Cvetanovski from inside the box.
Qantas Young Socceroos Head Coach Jan Versleijen was happy with the team-s first match of the tournament.
“This was a good win to start with,” Versleijen said.
“The new players I have brought into the squad fitted in well, especially Ryan McGowan.
“Although, there are still some areas we need to improve on like our concentration in the latter stage of each half and our composure.”
In the other match of the tournament, Korea Republic defeated host nation Thailand 1-0.
The Qantas Young Socceroos will meet Korea Republic in the second match of the AFF U19 Youth Championship on Tuesday, 7 October.
