Adelaide United sensation Luka Jovanovic was instrumental as the Subway Young Socceroos crushed Kyrgyz Republic 5-1 in their AFC Under-20 Asian Cup opener.
Jovanovic scored twice while Isuzu UTE A-League graduate Musa Toure also bagged a brace in a dominant Group A opener in China on Wednesday.
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Australia’s starting XI for the first Asian Cup fixture featured Adelaide quartet Jovanovic, Panagiotis Kikianis, Fabian Talladira and Jonny Yull, as well as Western Sydney Wanderers’ Alexander Badolato and Perth Glory youngster Jaylan Pearman. Macarthur Bulls duo Frans Deli and Dean Bosnjak also came off the bench, along with Tiago Quintal of Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory’s Joshua Inserra.
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With four goals for Adelaide this season, Jovanovic showcased his goalscoring prowess to give Australia the lead in the fifth minute.
In a move that highlighted his strength, movement and composure in front of goal, the 19-year-old capped a swift counter-attacking move before former Perth Glory youngster Daniel Bennie – now playing for QPR in the EFL Championship – made it 2-0 in the 15th minute.
Adelaide product Toure, who has since joined brother and Socceroo Mo, Paul Izzo and Oliver Jones at Randers in Denmark, got in on action 10 minutes later.
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Toure completed his brace just past the half-hour mark following a fine move and despite changes at half-time, Jovanovic continued where he left off in the 61st minute.
Kyrgyz Republic did manage to get on the scoresheet via a 73rd-minute penalty but it was a mere consolation as the Young Socceroos now look ahead to Saturday’s date with Qatar.
The tournament – which serves as qualifying for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile – will see the top-four teams advance to the U20 showpiece event.
Featured image: AFC
