Australia win Youth Tournament in Japan

Queensland Academy of Sport striker Tahi Minniecon has scored a dramatic last minute extra time goal, to give Australia’s Under 17 Development squad a 1-0 win against the Hungary in the final of the 10th International Youth Football in Niigata Tournament, held in Japan.

Queensland Academy of Sport striker Tahi Minniecon has scored a dramatic last minute extra time goal, to give Australia-s Under 17 Development squad a 1-0 win against the Hungary in the final of the 10th International Youth Football in Niigata Tournament, held in Japan.

Minniecon raced onto a long ball over the top of the defence, beating a defender on the edge of the box, before slotting home his shot across the stranded Hungarian keeper.

The QAS striker had been a constant menace for the Hungarian defence throughout the match, with most of Australia-s best chances coming through him. Australia started the match strongly, with Oliver Bozanic, forcing a good save from the Hungary keeper after 5 minutes, with a powerful shot from outside the penalty area.

They continued to dominate possession for the first half, but were unable to manufacture too many decent chances.

Hungary started the second half with a renewed vigour and had Australia on the back foot with Andrew Redmayne making several good stops to keep Australia inj the game.

However after resisting the early Hungary pressure, the game started to even out again and Paul Giannou almost gave Australia the lead in the 75th minute, his shot from outside of the penalty box, hitting the crossbar.

Australia kept up the pressure in the latter stages of normal time with Marco Jesic denied twice by the keeper before the game went to extra time.

The match looked headed to penalties, until Minniecon-s timely winner handed Australia a deserved win.

Match Details

Australia 1 (Tahj Minniecon 113-) Hungary 0

Australia line-up: Andrew Redmayne (gk); Sebastian Ryall, Ryan McGowan, Travis Anderson (Peter Cvetnovski h/t), Matthew Jurman, Oliver Bozanic (c)(Stephan Vrbresic 65-), Matthew Cocks (Marco Jesic h/t), Paul Giannou, Richard Greer, James Brown (Isaka Cernak 70-), Tahj Minniecon Subs not used: Michael McEntagert, Seamus McAnelly, Jason Naidovski