Joeys fire five past Oman as AFC U16 Championship approaches

The Joeys tuned up for their 2018 AFC U16 Championship opener against Korea Republic with a 5-1 friendly win over Oman U16 in Malaysia on Saturday. 

Mohhamad Rabeea’s 30^th minute goal put Oman’s youngsters ahead, before Melbourne City FC’s Luke Duzel restored parity to the contest shortly before the half time break.

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Australia dominated the second stanza in Negeri Sembilan, south of Kuala Lumpur, scoring four unanswered goals in wet and muddy conditions as Trevor Morgan’s side familiarised themselves with the type of challenge that awaits in the tournament proper. 

The Joeys’ second half strikes came via Sydney FC’s Joseph Roddy, Perth Glory’s Daniel Walsh, Melbourne Victory’s Birkan Kirdar, and Adam Zervas from the Newcastle Jets.

Australia U16 will spend this week training in Malaysia before playing their opening match of the 2018 AFC U16 Championships against Korea Republic on Saturday.

The Joeys’ second group game of the tournament will be against Iraq on Tuesday, 25 September, before Morgan’s charges round out their pool campaign against Afghanistan on Friday, 28 September 2018.

To qualify as one of Asia’s representatives for the 2019 FIFA U17 World Cup in Peru, Australia must reach at least the semi-final stage of the tournament. 

Australia qualified for the 2018 AFC U16 Championship in Malaysia after topping Group I of the qualification process in Mongolia last September. The Joeys finished ahead of Vietnam, Cambodia and Mongolia in Ulaanbaatar.

Result

Australia U16: 5 (Duzel 32’, Roddy 70’, Walsh 77’, Kirdar 79’, Zervas 81’)
Oman U16: 1 (Rabeea 32’) 
Date: Saturday, 15 September 2018
Venue: USIM Stadium, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

Joeys 2018 AFC U16 Championship Match Schedule – Group D 

Korea Republic v Australia

Saturday, 22 September 2018
Venue: Petaling Jaya Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kick-off: 8.45pm (local); 10.45pm (AEST)

Australia v Iraq

Tuesday, 25 September 2018
Venue: UM Arena, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kick-off: 4.30pm (local); 6.30pm (AEST)

Australia v Afghanistan

Friday, 28 September 2018
Venue: Petaling Jaya Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kick-off: 4.30pm (local); 6.30pm (AEST)

Joeys 23-player squad for 2018 AFC U16 Championship in Malaysia