The Young Socceroos are out of the FIFA Under 20 World Cup following a 3-0 loss to Costa Rica on Wednesday.
The Australians needed a win after their disappointing first match defeat to the Czech Republic but were outclassed by the Central Americans.
With Brazil and the Czech Republic later playing out a 0-0 draw any slim hope the Australians had of progressing past the group stage was extinguished.
Diego Madrigal netted Costa Rica’s first goal in the 35th minute, Luke DeVere had a horror own goal nine minutes from time and David Guzman sealed the Australians’ fate with a stoppage time effort.
It was an uninspired and ill-disciplined performance from Australia, substitute Tahj Minniecon summing up the effort when he was punished with a red card just five minutes after entering the pitch.
Minniecon kicked out at his counterpart in full view of Algerian referee Mohamed Benouza after first showing some neat touches in a cameo that was designed to rescue Australia’s disappearing tournament prospects.
Until Costa Rica’s opener, Australia were generally more disciplined and positive compared to their wayward showing against the Czechs three days earlier.
Recalled Bolton Wanderers midfielder Aaron Mooy had added some much needed class and finesse on the ball as the Young Socceroos pressed forward in the opening half an hour.
However, as the Czechs had done, Costa Rica struck against the run of play from a set piece.
With the Australian team camped in or around the penalty area, Ticos playmaker Madrigal received a short pass and was afforded too much time time on the ball, duly unleashing an unstoppable right foot effort past goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis.
Bouzanis was an unwilling participant in Costa Rica’s second, where Brisbane Roar defender DeVere headed back pass looped over the advancing Liverpool custodian.
With the final kick of the game, Guzman ensured a miserable end for the Young Socceroos with his neat finish.
BigAl
Guest
Shattered. I had big hopes for this side.
midfield general
Guest
Shame - it looked an ok team on paper. I hope there's not too much doom and gloom about it. After all, our great youth teams of 80's and early 90's didn't necessarily translate into senior socceroo success.The current crop like Culina, Bresciano, Emerton and even Dukes played in rather unsuccessful campaigns about 10 years ago from what I recall. Best not get too hang up on results at this stage, the current youth programs have only been implemented for a couple of years or even less under these Dutch coaches.
Art Sapphire
Guest
These kids are not necessarily the future - only 2 - 3 of them will be good enough to play at senior level. You need to remember that in 2 years time there will be another youth team (as long as we qualify) representing us at another Youth WC. As long as we can produce a few good potential senior players out of every batch we are doing well. In this current crop - only Kantarovski will definitely make it to the senior team. A few like Mooy, Rooney and Oar have the potential but are no certainty. But, what this tournament has again highlighted is the technical limitations of Australian players. You can spend all that money on getting coaches to put a teams out play to a template but its not much use if the players can't execute.
whiskeymac
Guest
if the coaches and players are on a learning curve so be it, but if the conclusion is that players arent up to it then thats different because these kids are the future!
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
At least someone is taking some positives out of it.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
As MV knows - the Ticos is where it's at - take note A-League clubs - lock up a good kid for four years while they're stlll affordable.