Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Bogor: After producing the goalkeeping heroics that kept his side's AFC U-19 Championship Indonesia 2018 campaign alive, Australia's James Delianov revealed his desire to reach the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland.
The Young Socceroos are now just 90 minutes away from a first trip to the global youth showpiece since 2013, but it took a gritty 1-1 draw against Jordan - and several key interventions from Delianov - to keep them in contention.
The Melbourne City shot-stopper, who turned 19 the day after Australia's opening Group C fixture against Korea Republic, believes reaching the Finals in Poland would be a major boost for his burgeoning career.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Bogor: Ante Milicic hailed his team's mental strength, after Australia survived a difficult preparation and a scare from Jordan to advance into the AFC U-19 Championship Indonesia 2018 quarter-finals with a 1-1 draw on Thursday.
The Young Socceroos will play in the competition's knockout stage for the first time since 2012, but only after they negotiated 90 desperate minutes against a Jordan side who were themselves fighting to stay in the competition.
Milicic was frank in his assessment of the match, but said his players once again showed their fighting spirit to get the much needed result.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Bogor: Australia advanced to the AFC U-19 Championship Indonesia 2018 quarter-finals, after earning the 1-1 draw they needed to advance from Group C at the expense of a desperate Jordan at the Pakansari Stadium on Thursday.
Jordan were eliminated despite having more than 20 shots at goal, with Omar Hani Al Zebdieh's equaliser not enough to overturn Oliver Pufflet's early Australian goal.
The result meant Australia finish second in Group C and are now 90 minutes away from a place at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup, with a quarter-final against the winners of Group D to be played at the same venue on Monday.
Groups B & C: Exciting end as quarter-finalists confirmed
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Bogor: Japan powered to the AFC U-19 Championship Indonesia 2018 quarter-finals with a third straight win, but the defending champions are focused on what lies ahead, according to head coach Masanaga Kageyama.
Thursday's 5-0 win over Iraq was a performance to behold, with Japan's stunning passing and movement proving far too much for the West Asians to handle, but - with a quarter-final against host nation Indonesia ahead - Kageyama called for calm.
"Today our players performed very well, not only in attack but also in defence, but we have not yet achieved anything," he said.
"The next match will be a very, very important match for us, so we will just focus on winning against Indonesia."
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Bekasi: Korea Republic head coach Chung Jung-young believes his side is gathering valuable momentum after Thursday’s hard-fought 3-1 win over Vietnam sent them through to the AFC U-19 Championship Indonesia 2018 quarter-finals as Group C winners.
Two penalties from Cho Young-wook along with Kim Hyun-woo’s scrambled effort proved the difference on a night when the East Asians, after being forced to come from behind, had things far from their own way.
Despite failing to hit top gear, Chung was nevertheless adamant that the victory, which confirmed a last eight meeting against the runners-up from Group D, will undoubtedly benefit his talented squad.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Bekasi: Thailand head coach Ithsara Sritharo has been quick to praise his players after the Southeast Asians sealed their place in the AFC U-19 Championship Indonesia 2018 quarter-finals following Thursday’s 2-1 win over DPR Korea.
The victory saw Thailand, who began the day occupying fourth place in Group C, to eventually finish second behind Japan and go through to the last eight where they will now meet Group A winners Qatar at Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Sunday.
The win was Thailand’s first during their group stage campaign, and Ithsara believes an exemplary team spirit was key to the success.