The Young Socceroos completed a late comeback to beat Myanmar 2-1 and advance to the AFF U-18 Championship Final.
Australian goalkeeper Noah Paul James made a fine save from Aung Ko Oo’s effort early on, while Bradley Chick made Myanmar gloveman Pyae Phyo Thu stretch in response.
Gary van Egmond’s team had work to do when La Min Htwe slid the Asian Lions into an 18th-minute lead following a lightning-quick counter attack at Binh Duong Stadium in Vietnam.
But Australia responded in the best possible way after the interval when Lachlan Brook curled in a left-footed strike from outside of the penalty area to fired the Young Socceroos back into the game.
From a 77th-minute corner, captain Kai Clifton Trewin pounced at the far post to tip the contest in Australia’s favour, scoring what turned out to be the winning goal.
The Young Socceroos will meet Malaysia in Monday’s final, after Malayan Tigers came out on top of a rollercoaster affair with Indonesia, 4-3, after extra time.
Malaysia had the Young Socceroos’ number in Group B, inflicting Australia’s only defeat of the competition, 3-0.
Van Egmond’s team will be determined to turn the tables against the defending champions in Ho Chi Minh City as Australia go in search of their fifth AFF U-18 Championship title.
Upcoming Match
Australia v Malaysia
AFF U-18 Championship Final
Monday 19 August, 2019
Thong Nhat Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Kick-off: 10.30pm AEST, 7.30pm local
