Versleijan confident side can go a long way

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Qantas Young Socceroos coach Jan Versleijen is confident his side can go a long way in the AFC U-19 Championship when their campaign kicks off against Thailand early on Sunday morning.

Versleijen, who is returns to Damman in Saudi Arabia where he spent two years as coach of Al Ittifaq, talked up his sides chances of getting to the final, but said that it wouldn't be easy.

“We are really confident,” he said, at the official press conference in the lead up to the match.

“This tournament has big countries and big names but we will try to get the best result possible.

“Many teams have a chance to go to the quarter-finals and the semi-finals - the difference will be very small and it will depend on the day.

“Nowadays, in international football all countries are even - you see it even for the first teams. Easy games don't exist,” he explained.

Australia defeated Thailand earlier this year to win the AFF U-19 Youth Championship, which was held in Thailand, but Versleijen does not believe that result will have any bearing on this game.

“I'm sure it will be a different game,” he said.