Toure strikes as Australia’s U-23s secure important match minutes

Australia’s preparations for the forthcoming AFC U-23 Championship in Thailand continued in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, with the green and gold drawing 1-1 with Korea Republic in a friendly match played in Malaysia’s capital.

The game at the Bola Sepak Stadium was an even affair, with the teams unable to be split at either half-time (0-0) or full-time (1-1).

Korea Republic took the lead following a counterattack in the 72nd minute of the game, however Australia produced a swift response with Adelaide United attacker Al Hassan Toure restoring parity to the contest just three minutes later.

Toure took his chance well, striking a sweet effort beyond Korea’s custodian from just inside the box.

The green and gold finished the match with the better of the play however ultimately a draw was a fair reflection of the encounter.

AUSSIES ABROAD PREVIEW: Socceroos face off as FA Cup returns
TICKETS: Now on sale to the general public for Socceroos v Kuwait

Socceroos v Kuwait


Australia’s U-23 national team head coach, Graham Arnold, was pleased with the hit-out which afforded both nations the opportunity to utilise their full squads ahead of the tournament proper.

“I was pleased with the performance given we played two fifty (50) minute halves on a difficult pitch against one of the best teams in Asia,” Arnold said.

“It was a promising performance and while there is still a lot of improvement to come, the players looked fit and ready to compete in Thailand.

“Both teams changed their entire squads at half time, which provided the opportunity for our all our players to acclimatise prior to heading to Bangkok,” he said.

Australia’s squad will travel to Thailand’s capital on Saturday and play their first match at the AFC U-23 Championship on Wednesday, 8 January 2020 against Iraq.

Additional Group A games against Thailand (11/1) and Bahrain (14/1) will follow.

VOTEBest Socceroos goal of the decade
VOTE: Socceroos’ best moment of the last decade

Graham Arnold

Match Details

Australia 1
Korea Republic 1
Stadium Bola Sepak, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Friday, 3 January 2020

Australia U-23 Men’s National Team Squad | AFC U-23 Championship Thailand 2020

Name

Club, Country

Keanu BACCUS

Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia

Daniel BOUMAN

SC Cambuur, Netherlands

Trent BUHAGIAR

Sydney FC, Australia

Gabriel CLEUR

U.S. Alessandria, Italy

Nicholas D’AGOSTINO

Perth Glory FC, Australia

Thomas DENG

Melbourne Victory, Australia

Zach DUNCAN

AGF Aarhus, Denmark

Ben FOLAMI

Ipswich Town FC, England

Denis GENREAU

Melbourne City FC, Australia

Alex GERSBACH

AGF Aarhus, Denmark

Thomas GLOVER (Gk)

Melbourne City FC, Australia

Jordan HOLMES (Gk)

Ebbsfleet United FC, England

Jacob ITALIANO

Borussia Monchengladbach, Germany

Joshua LAWS

Fortuna Dusseldorf II, Germany

Daniel MARGUSH (Gk)

Adelaide United, Australia

Connor METCALFE

Melbourne City FC, Australia

Tass MOURDOUKOUTAS

Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia

Ramy NAJJARINE

Melbourne City FC, Australia

Aiden O’NEILL

Brisbane Roar FC, Australia

Connor O’TOOLE

Brisbane Roar FC, Australia

Reno PISCOPO

Wellington Phoenix FC, Australia

Dylan RYAN

Willem II Tilburg, Netherlands

Al Hassan TOURE

Adelaide United, Australia

Australia U-23 Men’s National Team – Upcoming Fixtures

Iraq U-23 v Australia U-23 – AFC U-23 Championship Thailand 2020
Date: Wednesday, 8 January 2020
Venue: Thammasat Stadium, Pathum Thani, Thailand
Kick-off: 5.15pm (local); 9.15pm (AEDT)
Tickets: http://www.thaiticketmajor.com/afc-u23-2020/
Broadcast: To be confirmed

Australia U-23 v Thailand U-23 – AFC U-23 Championship Thailand 2020
Date: Saturday, 11 January 2020
Venue: Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand
Kick-off: 8.15pm (local); 12.15am +1 (AEDT)
Tickets: http://www.thaiticketmajor.com/afc-u23-2020/
Broadcast: To be confirmed

Australia U-23 v Bahrain U-23 – AFC U-23 Championship Thailand 2020
Date: Tuesday, 14 January 2020
Venue: Thammasat Stadium, Pathum Thani, Thailand
Kick-off: 8.15pm (local); 12.15am +1 (AEDT)
Tickets: http://www.thaiticketmajor.com/afc-u23-2020/
Broadcast: To be confirmed

Copa America 2020