U/17 Development squad makes tournament final

An Australian Under 17 Development squad has made the final of the 10th International Youth Football in Niigata Tournament (Japan) and will play Hungary’s Under 17 national team later today.

An Australian Under 17 Development squad has made the final of the 10th International Youth Football in Niigata Tournament (Japan) and will play Hungary-s Under 17 national team later today.

The team finished top of Group B, after a 5-1 win over the hosts Albirex Niigata and then a tight 1-1 draw with South Korea-s Under 17 national team. The team is made up of players that are the next generation of Under 20 players (2009).

The team opened up with an emphatic win on Saturday, with Isaka Cernak grabbing a second half double in the 5-1 win. Paul Giannou, Oliver Bozanic and Mario Jesic also scored, which put Australia in the driver-s seat going into its next match against South Korea.

Match Details

Australia 5 (Paul Giannou 8-, Oliver Bozanic 29, Marco Jesic 35-, Isaka Cernak 60-/ 64- Albirex Niigata 1

Australia line-up: Andrew Redmayne (gk); Sebastian Ryall, Ryan McGowan, Peter Cvetnovski (Seamus McAnelly75"), Travis Anderson, Matthew Jurman, Marco Jesic (Isaka Cernak 45"), Oliver Bozanic (c) (Stephan Vrbresic 62"), Tahj Minniecon, Paul Giannou (Matthew Cocks 45"), Richard Greer Subs not used: Michael McEntagert (gk); Jason Naidovski, James Brown

Australia began the match against South Korea in superb fashion with Paul Giannou opening the scoring after just five minutes. They continued to dominate the half and unfortunately had a goal by Ryan McGowan disallowed.

The second half saw South Korea change their structure and play more attacking but Australia-s defence was coping superbly. Torrential rain in the last 15 minutes, made life difficult for both sides, but Korea-s persistence paid off with a late goal, but it proved only a consolation as Australia held on for the draw and a place in the final.

Match Details

Australia 1 (Paul Giannou 5-) South Korea 1 (87-)

Australia line-up: Andrew Redmayne (gk); Sebastian Ryall, Ryan McGowan, Peter Cvetnovski (Isaka Cernak 45"), Travis Anderson, Matthew Jurman, Marco Jesic (Stephan Vrbresic 80"), Oliver Bozanic (c), Jason Naidovski (Matthew Cock 45"), Paul Giannou, Richard Greer (James Brown 52") Subs not used: Michael McEntagert (gk); Tahj Minniecon, Seamus McAnelly

The final against Hungary will kick-off at 3.00pm at the Niigata Stadium, a venue used for the 2002 World Cup finals.

Australian U/17 Development squad is:

Goalkeepers Andrew Redmayne (NSWIS), Michael McEntagert (SASI)

Defenders Sebastian Ryall (NSWIS), Ryan McGowan (SASI), Peter Cvetnovski (NSWIS), Seamus McAnelly (QAS), Travis Anderson (SASI), Matthew Jurman (NSWIS)

Midfielders: Marco Jesic (NSWIS), Oliver Bozanic (c) (NSWIS), Stephan Vrbresic (QAS), Richard Greer (QAS)

Forwards: Isaka Cernak (QAS), Tahj Minniecon (QAS), Paul Giannou (VIS), Matthew Cock (SASI), Jason Naidovski (NSWIS), James Brown (QAS)