WATCH: Australia U23's suffer semi final heartbreak against Saudi Arabia

The Australia U23's have been defeated 2-0 by Saudi Arabia in the Semi Finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2022 on Wednesday night. 

Watch all of the key moments in the player above. 

Despite a positive start from Trevor Morgan's outfit, Saudi Arabia struck the opening blow after 20 minutes. 

It came after Australia created the first two key chances of the game, with Ramy Najjarine and Kusini Yengi both seeing efforts drift narrowly past the post. 

And they would be punished for their early wastefulness, as Hussain Al Eisa crashed home a clinical finish to grant his nation the lead in the 20th minute. 

Ten minutes later, Australia came within inches of equalising as captain Tyrese Francois' stunning volley from the edge of the area cannoned off the underside of the crossbar and to safety for Saudi Arabia.

In the 35th minute, the game's major turning point arrived, as Jay Rich-Baghuelou was shown a straight red card following a lengthy VAR intervention. 

Despite going down to ten men for the third time this tournament, Australia continued to push but were eventually stung by a Saudi second, as Ayman Yahya fired home in the 72nd minute. 

The woodwork again denied Australia ten minutes later, with an own goal so nearly pulling one back, before late drama in both penalty areas unfolded. 

Five minutes of allocated stoppage time turned into 12 as VAR spotted an infringment in the area on Ramy Najjarine, granting him a 99th-minute penalty. 

However the penalty was well saved, allowing Saudi Arabia to go up the other end and win a spot kick of their own. 

The outcome: another save, this time by Joe Gauci down low to his left, to ensure the final score would be 2-0. 

Australia have one match left to play on Saturday, where they will face Japan in the tournament's third place play-off at Pakhtakor Stadium. 

The Samurai Blue were also defeated 2-0 in their semi-final on Wednesday, by tournament hosts Uzbekistan.