The Subway Young Socceroos have made history after winning the AFC Under-20 Asian Cup for the first time.
Australia’s Under-20 side – featuring in their first Asian Cup final since 2010 – overcame Saudi Arabia 5-4 on penalties in Saturday’s decider in China, where the match finished 1-1 at the end of extra time.
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Of the squad who have created history, 17 of 23 are currently playing their club football in the A-Leagues. All 23 have spent some time on the books of an A-Leagues club.
Against Saudi Arabia, five Isuzu UTE A-League talents started – Joshua Inserra (Melbourne Victory), Panagiotis Kikianis (Adelaide United), Luka Jovanovic (Adelaide United), Alex Badolato (Melbourne Victory, on loan from Western Sydney Wanderers) and Zach Lisolajski (Perth Glory), while Jonny Yull (Adelaide United), Frans Deli (Macarthur Bulls), Lucas Herrington (Brisbane Roar), Fabian Talladira (Adelaide United), Tiago Quintal (Sydney FC) and Jaylan Pearman (Perth Glory) came off the bench.
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Former Sydney FC youngster Louis Agosti, who now plays for Perugia in Italy, gave the history-making Young Socceroos the half-time lead in Shenzhen before Saudi Arabia equalised in the second 45 minutes.
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Then Steven Hall – the Adelaide United product now plying his trade with Brighton and Hove Albion in England – emerged the hero in the penalty shoot-out after saving Bassam Hazazi’s spot-kick to see the Young Socceroos get their hands on the Asian Cup trophy.
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As well as conquering the AFC, Trevor Morgan’s Australia have qualified for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup for the first time in 12 years.
Featured Image: Football Australia
