The Young Socceroos head into tonight’s match against North Korea with a chance to make history and to provide a glimpse into Australia’s football future.
The Young Socceroos have had a fantastic tournament at the AFC Under-19 Championships in China, banging in goals for fun and already qualifying for next year’s 2011 FIFA Under 20 World Cup. They topped their group and move into the final after defeating the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
They now have the chance to be crowned champions of Asia, a title no other Australian men’s team has achieved, I believe.
This tournament has been important in the development of several of Australia’s most talent youngsters, such as Tommy Oar, Matthew Leckie and Ben Kantarovski.
Oar has already a few caps for the Socceroos, Leckie has been on the fringes of the Socceroos for some time, and would have made the Paraguay squad if it wasn’t for this tournament, while Kantarovski has made Socceroo camps previously but never played a match.
The tournament has also been great for some of the teenage prodigies, like Sydney FC’s 16-year old Terry Antonis, who scored against Iran, and AIS youngster Ryan Edwards. Speaking to an executive at an A-League club this week who rated Edwards, the son of former Socceroo Alistair, very highly and said he has a bright future, the same as Antonis.
The Young Socceroos squad has featured some familiar names to A-League observers like Kofi Danning, Ryan Grant and Eli Babaj, as well as the talented son of another former Socceroo – Alan Davidson – in Jason Davidson who plys his trade in Portugal.
Another potential star that has also done well is Kerem Bulut. The 18-year old has been knocking in goals for fun, scoring five in the tournament so far. Bulut, who hails from Sydney, plays in the Czech Repbulic for Mlada Boleslav and despite his age has already cracked the clubs first-team and scored in the Czech league. Could he be the answer to the Socceroo’s woes up front in the future?
Like a lot of these players, it’s far too early to say. It would be good to see Oar back in the Socceroos line-up for the Egypt game, and the Asian Cup is probably to soon for the likes of Leckie to force their way in.
But it will be interesting to see how the next four years to the 2014 World Cup takes shape, and how these players continue to develop. The Socceroos line-up is only getting older and it will be time to blood some new players post-Qatar.
A lot of pessimism has been directed recently at Australia’s youth development, but if the Young Socceroos can beat North Korea then it will be a timely boost for Australian football in general. Let’s hope they do.
Thanks must go to Fox Sports for televising the final.
Midfielder
Guest
Take bloody Daniel Bowles out and we win 2-1. I reckon Responsible for first goal, and then a butchered simple cross, then immediately stupid foul on the ball out leads to a free kick where our Goalkeeper blunders. Got to give it to the Koreans for taking their chances - but we handed that game to them.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
What a shattering way to lose a final. Feeling so disappointed for the lads - I'd have backed them to finish strongly if it went to 30 minutes extra time. But, have to admit DPR were the better team on the night but the Aussies showed very good technique, stuck to their game plan and, as always, fought it out right to the end. I thought Brighitti had a terrific tournament and I hope he dwells on all the good things he did throughout this tournament and puts that error out of his mind.
Midfielder
Guest
THo we were the best side in the second half ... bad way to loose on a keeper error... maybe he was still suffering from the knock a couple of minutes earlier .. Great game back we attacked all night ...
John Davidson
Roar Guru
That's shattering. Very disappointing end.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
But it isn't meant to be. Terrible error by Birghitti, and that looks to be it in the 88th minute.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
In the meantime Timmy Cahill scores in another Merseyside derby. If the Young Socceroos can find a goal then it will be great night for Aussie football.
Mister Football
Guest
Oar went for the first time cross this time - picked out Bulut beautifully - good effort that went the wrong side of the upright - I think he had too much time to think about it! No doubt now that Oar has got the message to mix it up, and the team are getting good shots at goal out of it.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
I think Warren should be subbed.
Mister Football
Guest
He just did it and set up Amini! First chance Warren gets to overlap, and he loses control of the ball! Then gets himself a yellow. Bulut just gave the ball away again with an atrocious pass that set up North Korea for a shot on goal. Geez, full marks for finishing - but I tell you what, his general passing has been woeful.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Oar's looking to push too far wide and always cross it in. He needs to look to cut inside sometimes and knock it back to a teammate. Our fullbacks are looking a little shaky defensively.
Mister Football
Guest
The North Koreans are tag-teaming Oar - this means we have to be a bit smarter, get Warren overlapping, or switch it quickly to Leckie, or have one of the mids come in to look for the one-two. The second goal came from Bulut running in alongside Oar - it's that sort of thing that creates doubt in the minds of defenders, it wins Oar an extra metre - it's dumb football if the rest of the team expects Oar to out-dribble two or three - that will rarely work.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Its been a crazy game. Some of the Aussies have gone to sleep and let the North Koreans back into the game. But we look very dangerous when we're attacking, and we should win this game. The North Koreans are shaky when we're going forward.
Mister Football
Guest
I should have added - following those three subs - the North Koreans wrested a bit of control back - but I think we also lost concentration, as I said above, players getting ahead of themselves.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Wow - what a frantic 1st half. And, DPR has used all 3 subs. Should make it very interesting b/c the Aussies seem very well conditioned for this tournament. Going to be a very nervous 45 minutes for me in the 2nd half and, let's not forget, all this excitement is for ... an u19 competition! Fußball ist "definitely" unser leben!
Mister Football
Guest
Why aren't you watching it on Fox?
Mister Football
Guest
Oar and Bulut are killing it. Fortunately, for the first goal, Bulut's hair stlye would have helped him get the correct angle on the header - if people haven't seen it, check it a replay, it's pretty good. But like all young players he needs to learn not to get ahead of himself. He absolutely blasted a team mate for a poor pass around the 39th min, and then proceeded to give the ball away with his next three touches - cut out the petulance and get back to team basics. Odd Spot - the North Koreans had made all three subs by the 37th min.
Midfielder
Guest
I am watching a stream coming out of a Middle Eastern Country cannot understand a single word.
Midfielder
Guest
2 all .. streaming http://ar.justin.tv/sada_aljamaheir9#/w/472886064/3
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Bulut has scored two, he looks the real deal. And Tommy Oar has to be picked for the Socceroo game against Egypt. He has pace to burn, which we need.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Antonis looks really good, and he's only 16. No wonder Everton wanted to sign him as a 14-year old.