The Olyroos have qualified for the Tokyo Olympics after a 1-0 win over 10-man Uzbekistan in the third-place playoff at the AFC Under-23 championships.
Nicholas D’Agostino skipped past two defenders before sliding the ball into the bottom corner in the 47th minute at Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium on Saturday night to secure Australia’s place at their first Olympic tournament in 12 years.
It was the Olyroos’ second chance to qualify after they missed their first opportunity with a 2-0 loss to South Korea in Thursday’s semi-final.
Uzbekistan were the dominant side for most the match, even after Oybek Bozorov was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Zach Duncan in the 59th minute.
Australia started well with D’Agostino rising to head the ball past goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov in the fifth minute, but the goal was disallowed after Nematov was fouled in the lead-up.
The Uzbeks then started to turn the screws with winger Djasur Yakhshibaev menacing defenders Alex Gersbach and Dylan Ryan down the right flank.
The forward had a great chance in the tenth minute but headed straight into Olyroos goalkeeper Tom Glover’s hands.
Seven minutes later Yakhshibaev had an even better opportunity from the edge of the area but curled his shot just wide.
He later skipped through his markers in the 28th minute but the Olyroos defence shut down the attack.
Australia offered very little going forward in the first half but after the break took a surprise lead when D’Agostino skipped past two defenders and sent a neat finish into the bottom corner.
Just 14 minutes from the whistle, Australia had a chance to double their lead but midfielder Keanu Baccus’ effort was dealt with by Nematov.
The Central Asians refused to give up and continued to press for an equaliser in the final ten minutes as Australia seemed to be stuck in a holding pattern, despite their superior numbers.
Yakhshibaev had a chance to send the match into extra time in the 89th minute, but sent his free kick into the stands.
A total of six minutes of stoppage time was added but the Olyroos hung on to book their places in Tokyo.
Yo mamma
Guest
Arzani, McGree, Kalik, Strain, Souttar and Iredale coming back into contention will greatly improve this side
chris
Guest
The Olympics needs football. It is consistently the highest attended event at the Olympics. FIFA insists its a restricted by age so as not to interfere with the FIFA WC.
chris
Guest
When you add McGree and Arzani into the squad our technical abilities rise significantly. And looking at our u17s recently we more than matched other teams technically. The gap is closing I think in that regard.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Given our lack of creativity in the midfield, brutally exposed by the South Koreans, I dare say we are going to require McGree, Arzani and possible D'Arrigo to cause problems at the Olympics.
Bondy
Guest
This is a great achievement by our boys I'm very proud of them . I hope we can cause some form of havoc at the Olympics ... Interesting to hear also tonight Graeme Arnold suggested that this qualification phase is his finest hours as a coach ..
The Recalcitrant
Guest
Pre Australia joining the Asian Football Confederation and qualifying for World Cups, I used to get interested in Olympics soccer. Now, it is almost a nuisance. The top players in that age category, wont be available. So, we are playing always with a hand tied behind our backs. Also, not many serious soccer nations get terribly interested in the tournament either. On top of all this, if you are in your twenties, you are a fully grown adult man(physically, maybe not mentally). What the hell are they doing still playing 'age' events then? Forgot to mention the costs involved also. Can we afford this sideshow tournament? Great Britain, the home of the sport doesnt even bother with it. It is time to consider if this is something we need anymore.
Will
Guest
They would be learning you need to have a lot of luck to go your way that’s for sure...
Will
Guest
An awesome achievement given the limitations and challenges the team had to go through, have faith in youth aleague clubs!
Redondo
Roar Rookie
I thought the Aussie guys looked a match technically for the Uzbekistanis. It's really just game time that most are lacking. The South Koreans looked better technically, but it's hard to tell how much better because they were obviously more match-hardened and more familiar with each other.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
And yet, we qualified for the Olympics by beating them. Ironically, I bet commenters on the Uzbekistani Roar website are wondering what lessons they can take from Australia's success.
Torchbearer
Guest
I scan the papers very early in the morning, I see the stories have now appeared. There is no need for hateful name calling...
Nemesis
Guest
This tournament was an eye opener. It showed what Australia can achieve purely on its mental toughness. It showed that Asian nations at u23 level are far superior technically & tactically. Our technical improvement will come with time as our education system places a bigger emphasis on technique. It is already evident at u17 level where our Aussie team at the World Cup matched it individually & collectively with their opponents. One obvious gap that can be fixed with the stroke of a pen. Our u23 players are probably playing more Fifa video games than actual competitve games &, as long as this continues, we will continue to be outplayed & rely on luck to get us wins. We need 28 teams in the ALeague spread across 2 Divisions. If we did this then every footballer that was in the u23 squad would likely be playing 40 matches every year - NPL & ALeague. You can bet their technical & tactical levels will improve immediately.
Nick Symonds
Guest
FTBL 3 THINGS WE LEARNT: OLYROOS VS UZBEKISTAN It's important to understand that Uzbekistan, despite facing enduring national challenges, have managed to become a model of consistency throughout the youth process. They have maintained a familiar squad and tactical approach throughout the tournament, credit to the huge amount of experience (a la match fitness) these players garner in their increasingly high-quality domestic competition. Every single one of their 23 man squad play domestically in the Uzbek Super League (a 14 team competition). All but five of them for top four clubs. Travelling back through the years, this squad is also a linear progression of the youth teams that have competed in Uzbekistan's AFC U16 to U19 tournaments in past iterations. The success of the central Asian nation's transitional system is the single most important factor allowing Uzbekistan to develop so quickly. More than the oil money that pours into clubs like Bunyodkor and Pakhator, or the technical quality of their own players, this is why Uzbekistan have progressed from group stage knockouts to the defending champions of this competition. - https://www.ftbl.com.au/news/3-things-we-learnt-olyroos-vs-uzbekistan-537028/page0
Nick Symonds
Guest
"I believe that by the end of 2020 there will be five kids that will be part of the Socceroos squad" - Graham Arnold, before the tournament
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Mostly the Aussies did pretty well but looked suspiciously like they don't play football as much as they should, either together or at their clubs. Most problems aren't from a lack of skill but from indecisiveness and hesitation. Their chances at the Olympics will depend on having players like Arzani and McGree available, not to mention whichever 3 overage players Arnie manages to persuade to play.
Para+Ten ISUZU Subway support Australian Football
Roar Rookie
Uzbekistan were heroic, but glad we got through. It will be a pity as lot of these young boys won't be picked for the Olyroos team when the tournament starts. Arnold, will no doubt introduce a lot more experienced players to go to Tokyo---one has to feel a bit sorry for those who have made it possible, only to miss out on the Tokyo games.
max power
Guest
there is a lot in the mainstream press. stop playing the victim
Stevo
Roar Rookie
They were more impressive than the Olyroos last night but we jagged a win. Such is life. And yeah, good to be back at the Olympics.
Onside
Guest
Olympic matches will be played in favourable TV time zones that will provide great exposure for football in Australia.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
I think Australias problem is while you may have a huge lot of players to choose from, their a lack of clear front runners which makes selection hard, Arnold is going with whoever he fancies for mysterious reasons. Whenver Arnie opens his mouth about needing players to get game time in the A-league, when he has chosen donkeys from Europe with no game time you wonder . Aiden Oneill is it a coincidence that his absence from Roar has improved Brisbane Roar, definetly not , yet he was chosen. He is the sort of player you would want if you desire the wooden spoon, may have some technique but he is a disaster in so many ways. A lot of aimless crosses by this team and no service to the front line players . The goal was well taken, Agostino had three guys converging on him from behind, and the defender chose to step up just before they would have sandwiched him.