Young Socceroos lift AFF U-18 Championship after thrilling, late winner

Lachlan Brook hit a late match-winner as the Young Socceroos secured the 2019 AFF U-18 Championship title with a 1-0 victory over Malaysia.

Adelaide United forward Brook broke the deadlock in the 79th minute with a delicate finish over Malaysian goalkeeper Firdaus Iman Mohd Fadhil.

It is Australia’s fifth crown at the tournament having won the trophy in 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2016.

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Gary van Egmond’s side had also fallen 3-0 to the Southeast Asian country in their group stage encounter last week.

“On top of that and it being a final, we were really hungry to show that we are a better side,” Brook told aseanfootball.org post-match.

“And with the display we put on today I think we showed that.”

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Australia started the better of the two sides in the early stages with Sydney FC attacker Marco Tilio and Central Coast Mariners livewire Dylan Ruiz-Diaz threatening the Malaysian goal.

Ruiz-Diaz came close with a superb free kick after the interval, while the Australian defence was tested by efforts from Muhammed Firdaus Kaironnisam and Hakim Shamsudin.

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Young Socceroos


Brook looked destined to score after he was launched in on goal by second-half substitute Melbourne City’s Bradley Chick, only for the Adelaide starlet to brush the side netting.

However, the 18-year-old would make no mistake with his next opportunity, clipping a delightful finish over Malaysian shot stopper Fadhil after a lovely release from his Adelaide teammate Louis D’Arrigo.

The Young Socceroos will now look toward this November for the AFC U19 Championship qualifiers, where they will play Chinese Taipei, Macau and Laos.

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LIVE BLOG: Young Socceroos v Malaysia

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