WATCH: 10-man Olyroos suffer semi-final heartbreak to Panama
Ten-man Subway Olyroos have fallen 2-1 to Panama in the semi-final of the Maurice Revello Tournament on Friday night (AEST).
The match appeared destined for a penalty shootout with the score locked at 1-1 after Noah Botic's opener was cancelled before the break.
But on 88 minutes, Panama struck via skipper Reyniel Perdomo as he latched onto a long aerial pass from Kahiser Lenis and his expert touch saw him round the goalkeeper to slot into an empty net.
Australia had a golden opportunity on 14 minutes when Cameron Peupion scooped a ball over the top for Botic but was denied by Miguel Perez.
Though they did not have to wait much longer to hit the the front.
In the 18th minute, the Olyroos broke parity through an incisive attacking move.
Peupion and Callum Talbot combined down the right before the former's whipped cross was steered in clinically by Botic's first-time effort.
It was the striker's second goal of the tournament after scoring the opener against Mexico last time out.
Australia then fell behind when an unnecessary pass out from the back immediately put Louis D'Arrigo under pressure and had his pocket picked by Luis Fields, enabling Davis Contreras to slide his finish home.
Honours were even heading into the interval with the Aussies frustrated by the physical challenges committed by the Panamanians.
Talbot slashed a wayward strike from distance to begin proceedings in the second half but it was an early sign of the positive intent shown.
However, in the 63rd minute, the Green and Gold's plans of finding a winner were dealt a blow after Jacob Farrell was brandished a second yellow card, dismissed for catching Perdomo late with a lunging tackle.
It caused a slight reshuffle with Lucas Mauragis introduced at the expense of attacking midfielder Keegan Jelacic, but the Aussies did not go into their shell, still playing with a sense of urgency to push on and try and re-take the lead.
To further validate that perspective, Tony Vidmar introduced three changes 10 minutes later which including the attacking threat of the Kuol brothers.
Five minutes before full time, Botic flicked a header which landed agonisingly wide from after Mauragis managed to keep alive Garang Kuol's deep cross and not long after Panama struck.
Australia will now face the loser of France and Mexico in the third place playoff on Sunday, 18 June - 10:30pm AEST.
Australia 1 (Botic 18')
Panama 2 (Contreras 38', Perdomo 88')
Date: Friday, 16 June 2023
Venue: Stade d'Honneur Marcel Roustan
Australia Lineup: 1. Nicholas Bilokapic (GK), 2. Callum Talbot (C), 3. Joshua Rawlins, 4. Jordan Courtney-Perkins, 13. Jacob Farrell, 8. Louis D'Arrigo, 16. Ryan Teague (6. Calem Nieuwenhof 75'), 14. Keegan Jelacic (5. Lucas Mauragis 65'), 7. Cameron Peupion (11. Garang Kuol 76'), 19. Noah Botic, 23. Nishan Velupillay (9. Alou Kuol 76')
Substitutes not used: 10. Marco Tilio, 12. Cameron Cook (GK), 15. Hosine Bility, 17. Jacob Italiano, 18. Ethan Cox (GK), 20. Jake Hollman, 21. Kai Trewin, 22. Marlee Francois, 24. Nectarios Triantis
Red Card: Jacob Farrell second yellow (26' and 63')
How to watch
All group stage matches involving Australia will be LIVE on ESPN, Channel 509 on Foxtel, while all other group stage matches (including Australia's) plus the semi-finals and final will be streamed LIVE via the WatchESPN App.
Maurice Revello Tournament 2023 – Ranking Matches – Schedule
2.00pm (local), Thursday, 14 June: 11th vs 12th and 7th vs 8th at Arles & Miramas
6.00pm (local), Thursday, 14 June: 9th vs 10th and 5th vs 6th at Arles & Miramas
Maurice Revello Tournament 2023 – Semi-Finals – Schedule
2.30pm (local) Friday, 15 June: Semi-Final #1 at Salon
6.00pm (local) Friday, 15 June: Semi-Final #2 at Salon
Maurice Revello Tournament 2023 – Finals – Schedule
2.30pm (local) Sunday, 18 June: 3rd vs 4th at Salon
6.00pm (local) Sunday, 18 June: Final at Salon
A championship system will be in operation for this tournament, where each team is playing for three points for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a defeat. In the event of a tie at the end of a match, a penalty shoot-out will be held. The team that wins the penalty shoot-out will receive an additional point in the ranking.