The Subway Young Socceroos have qualified for the AFC Under-20 Asian Cup for the first time since 2010 after upstaging Japan 2-0.
Perth Glory sensation Jaylan Pearman’s goal from the edge of the area after A-Leagues graduate Musa Toure opened the scoring saw Australia secured their first appearance in the AFC’s U20 Men’s tournament in 15 years.
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Awaiting the Young Socceroos in Saturday’s decider will be Saudi Arabia as Australia eye their first U20 Asian Cup title.
“It’s an unreal feeling,” said Pearman post-game via Football Australia. “To be the group that does it after that long, it’s just amazing.”
The Young Socceroos could make history against Saudi Arabia and Pearman said: “So excited. No matter what team we play, we’re always ready.”
Pearman was on the ground for four minutes before scoring and the Glory youngster added: “Well I was actually warming up and they were like, ‘just be ready, be ready’. I guess I was ready.
“I actually looked away as it went in because I had thought the keeper had saved it and I realised he fumbled it (smiling).”
Former Adelaide United youngster Musa Toure – now playing for Randers in Denmark – side-footed home the opening goal four minutes into the second half in China.
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Reds gun Jonny Yull provided the assist for his former Isuzu UTE A-League team-mate as six A-Leagues talents featured in the starting XI – Adelaide quartet Yull, Luka Jovanovic, Panagiotis Kikianis and Fabian Talladira, Macarthur Bulls’ Frans Deli, and Melbourne Victory loanee Alex Badolato, while Pearman, Macarthur’s Oliver Randazzo and Sydney FC’s Tiago Quintal also came off the bench.
The Young Socceroos survived a scare after Japan hit the crossbar on the hour mark.
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Not long after being introduced, Pearman – who has been linked with QPR in the EFL Championship – came off the bench and his deflected long-range strike sealed Australia’s passage through to the decider.
Featured image: Football Australia
