The Subway Olyroos have fallen in the Final of the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) U-23 Championship – Saudi Arabia 2024 after a penalty shootout defeat against Korea Republic.
A penalty shootout decided the WAFF Championship Final after a thrilling 2-2 draw that left both sides inseparable after 90 minutes.
Alou Kuol broke the deadlock in the 11th minute, but the Korea Republic found their equaliser in the 27th minute through Young-Jun Lee. Seong-Jin Kang fired into the top left corner in the second half to make it 2-1 in the 61st minute, but a quick freekick and a blistering counterattack saw Alou Kuol draw the Olyroos level in the 72nd minute.
Neither side could break the stalemate, forcing the game into a penalty shootout to decide the victor.
Both sides made no mistake across their first three spot kicks, but two fine saves from Jeong-Hoon Kim saw Jake Hollman and Garang Kuol denied as the Korea Republic went on to win the shootout 4-3.
A great effort from the Olyroos, who finish runners-up in the WAFF Championship.
Starting XI: Patrick BEACH (GK), 2. Jacob ITALIANO, 9. Alou KUOL, 11. Nishan VELUPILLAY, 13. Franco LINO, 15. Hosine BILITY, 17. Jordi VALADON, 19. Rhys YOULLEY, 20. Mark NATTA, 21. Adrian SEGECIC, 23. Nicolas MILANOVIC
Substitutes: 1. Steven HALL (GK), 3. Alexandar POPOVIC, 4. Jordan COURTNEY-PERKINS, 5. Lucas MAURAGIS, 7. Lachlan BROOK, 8. Louis D’ARRIGO, 10. Jake HOLLMAN, 12. Cameron COOK, 16. Paul OKON-ENGSTLER, 22. Garang KUOL, 25. Jake GIRDWOOD-REICH, 26. Thomas WADDINGHAM
Match Details
Australia U23 2 (A. Kuol 11', 72’)
Korea Republic U23 2 (Y. Lee 27', S. Kang 62’)
Tuesday, 26 March 2024 (Local)
Al Fateh Stadium, Saudi Arabia
Penalties
Australia U23 3 (Alou Kuol, Jacob Italiano, Lucas D’Arrigo)
Korea Republic U23 4