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Joeys qualify for U17 World Cup

14th September, 2014
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Australia’s next generation of Socceroos have punched their ticket to the 2015 Under 17 World Cup in Chile, with a 2-1 victory over Malaysia in the quarter-finals of the Asian confederation qualifying tournament in Thailand.

The Joeys did things the hard way, when despite a glut of possession they fell behind in the 31st minute of the match when Malaysia midfielder Raj Mohana unleashed a long-range bullet to beat `keeper Duro Dragicevic.

Fortunately for Australia the wait for an equaliser was short-lived, Cameron Joice netting from close range after being played in by a beautiful cross from Jamie Dimitroff.

The game continued at a frenetic pace, Malaysia unlucky not to regain the lead in the 43rd minute when a thunderous strike rattled the crossbar.

Throughout the second half, the Joeys once again had the better of possession, but struggled to break down the Malaysia defence, until the 76th minute when Daniel Maskin struck.
Maskin calmly finished off a Peter Kekeris cross to beat the Malaysia `keeper.

The Joeys will play the winner of Iran and North Korea in the semi-final of the Asian Football Confederation’s Under 16 Championships.

The four semi-finalists from the region automatically go through to the 2015 World Cup which is then played in the under 17 age group.

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