Young Socceroos' ten men fight back to rescue a point against Laos

The Young Socceroos launched a two-goal comeback with ten men to salvage a 2-2 draw from their opening 2020 AFC U-19 Championship qualifier against Laos.

Two second-half goals rescued a point in the National Stadium in Kaohsiung, where the Caltex Socceroos had beaten Chinese Taipei 7-1 three week earlier.

Laos struck 16 minutes into the competition opener through Thanouthong Kietnalonglop's angled drive and Australia’s task grew tougher when Kai Trewin was sent off in the 20th minute.

The Southeast Asians doubled their advantage when Anousone Xaypanya scored on the stroke of half-time as Gary van Egmond’s side faced an uphill battle heading into the interval.

But, as the second-half wore on, the Young Socceroos fought their way back into the match and Central Coast Mariners attacker Dylan Ruiz-Diaz provided a lifeline with a crisp 65th-minute strike.

The comeback was completed when Western Sydney Wanderer Jarrod Carluccio scrambled the ball into the net on 78 minutes as Australia battled back to earn a share of the points.

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Van Egmond’s men play two more Group H against Macau and the hosts, Chinese Taipei, later this week.

The group winners will advance to the AFC U-19 Championship in Uzbekistan. The four best runners up from the 11 groups will join the hosts at the finals in October 2020.

Young Socceroos | AFC U-19 Championship 2020 Qualifying Group H

Macau v Australia
Date: Friday, 8 November 2019
Location: National Stadium, Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei
Kick-off: 4.00pm (local); 7.00pm (AEDT)

Australia v Chinese Taipei
Date: Sunday, 10 November 2019
Location: National Stadium, Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei
Kick-off: 7.00pm (local); 10.00pm (AEDT)

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