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So near, yet so far. There’s a fine line between success and second place in international football, and the Young Socceroos learned that the hard way as they went down 3-2 to North Korea in the final of the AFC Under-19 championship in China overnight.
It was a heart-stopping encounter at the Zibo Sports Stadium as the lead changed hands repeatedly in a gripping clash, but the match ended in tragedy for goalkeeper Mark Birighitti, who spilled a high ball minutes from time to allow Jong Il-Kwan to poke home his hat-trick and the winner for the North Koreans.
Nevertheless, there were giants all over the pitch for Australia – captain Ben Kantarovski was a colossus throughout the entire tournament, winger Tommy Oar turned in another virtuoso display down the left-hand side and striker Kerem Bulut scored his sixth and seventh goals in a prolific individual campaign.
But the credit must go to the entire Young Socceroos squad for reaching the final after they saw off some seriously pedigreed sides – Korea Republic, Iran and Saudi Arabia among them – to earn a credible second place finish.
And the team’s performance in China suggests there’s plenty for Australian fans to look forward to, with the likes of Kantarovski, Oar and Bulut all set for bright futures in a Socceroos jersey.
Former Sydney FC youth-team player Bulut now plays his club football for Czech first division outfit Mlada Boleslav, and it’s a shame Socceroos coach Holger Osieck looks set to take a vastly experienced squad to the Asian Cup in Qatar, not least because the powerfully-built striker is still eligible to play full international football for Turkey.
Bulut wasn’t the only impressive performer in a beaten side, with speedster Oar consistently showing the North Korean defence a clean pair of heels, even if his final pass wasn’t always as accurate as required.
Indeed, while there were plenty of decent combinations on the pitch for the Australians, it was clear at least a couple of Jan Versleijen’s side still have some work to do at international level, with Adelaide United goalkeeper Birighitti unlucky to concede three goals – having only been beaten three times en route to the final.
Young Brisbane Roar defender Daniel Bowles also endured a torrid night out against the penetrative North Korean attack, and at times the Australian defence was at sixes and sevens.
That’s not to take away from the overall performance, however, and there’s no shame in going down to a North Korean side making great strides on the international stage.
The secretive Communist state has pumped significant sums into international football – particularly at youth level in both the men’s and women’s game – and those investments are starting to bear fruit.
Painful as defeat was for the Young Socceroos, it should be pointed out that North Korea conceded just one goal prior to reaching the final – notably holding hosts China and a powerful South Korean side scoreless in their quarter-final and semi-final respectively.
History shows that only a handful of players ultimately step up from youth level to full international football, but the future looks bright given our strong showing in China.
Kudos to Fox Sports for screening the final live as well, with the broadcast once again demonstrating their commitment to screening Australian and Asian football.
It’s just a shame the boys couldn’t come home with the trophy, but coach Versleijen and his entire squad deserve our heartfelt congratulations – and our sympathy – following a gripping campaign that was so close to ending in triumph.