The Subway Olyroos advance to the Final of the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) U-23 Championship – Saudi Arabia 2024 after a thrilling penalty shootout victory over Egypt
Penalty shootout heroics from Steven Hall saw the Olyroos defeat Egypt 2-1 on penalties after battling out a 1-1 draw across an evenly matched ninety minutes.
Garang Kuol gave Australia a promising early lead, winning then converting from the penalty spot into the bottom right corner in the 15th minute.
Egypt forced the game level after a powerful strike deflected past Hall in the 22nd minute. Neither side was able to break the stalemate after ninety minutes forcing the game to a penalty shootout.
Steven Hall was the hero making two strong saves while Lachlan Brook dispatched the penalty that made the difference, before a final Egyptian attempt was missed over the bar, confirming the Olyroos place in the Final.
The Olyroos will face the Korea Republic in the Final at Al Fateh Stadium on Tuesday, 26 March, at 11:00pm local time (7am, Wednesday, 27 March AEDT).
Starting XI: 1. Steven HALL (GK), 3. Alexandar POPOVIC, 4. Jordan COURTNEY-PERKINS, 6. Giuseppe BOVALINA, 7. Lachlan BROOK, 8. Louis D’ARRIGO (C), 10. Jake HOLLMAN, 22. Garang KUOL, 24. Corey HOLLMAN, 25. Jake GIRDWOOD-REICH, 26. Thomas WADDINGHAM
Substitutes: 2. Jacob ITALIANO, 9. Alou KUOL, 11. Nishan VELUPILLAY, 12. Cameron COOK, 13. Franco OSURU, 14. Jahce NOVELLO, 16. Paul OKON-ENGSTLER, 17. Jordi VALADON, 18. Patrick BEACH (GK), 19. Rhys YOULLEY, 20. Mark NATTA, 23. Nicolas MILANOVIC
Match Details
Australia U23 1 (G. Kuol 15' (Pen.))
Egypt U23 1 (J. Hollman 22' (OG))
Saturday, 23 March 2024 (Local)
Prince Saud Bin Jalawi Stadium, Saudi Arabia
Penalties
Australia U23 2 (Jake Girdwood-Reich, Lachlan Brook)
Egypt U23 1