The Young Socceroos are champions of Asia for the first time with a thrilling penalty shootout victory against Saudi Arabia in the U20 Asian Cup final in Shenzhen, China.
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Goalkeeper Steven Hall became the nation’s newest footballing hero, etching himself into folklore by pulling off a one-handed save on the final penalty of the shootout to secure the title.
The scores were locked at one-all after the regulation 90 minutes, and they remained the same after 30 minutes of extra time.
Louis Agosti, who came into the starting line-up as one of three changes made by manager Trevor Morgan, was Australia’s lone goal scorer with a superb volley to open the scoring in the 24th minute.
The Saudi defenders failed to properly clear an Australian free kick that was whipped into the penalty area, and the ball fell to Agosti outside of the box, who struck a low volley across the goal and into the far corner of the net.
Scores were level heading into half time however as a Talal Abubakr Haji header beat Hall.
But Australia were the better of the two teams in the second half, and an extra time, put did not capitalise on several opportunities and were perhaps a little unlucky for the referee not pointing to the spot when substitute Tiago Quintal was brought down in the box.
When it got to the shootout, the Australian teenagers showed nerves of a steel to convert a perfect five from five.
Saudi Arabia were flawless on their first four attempts too, but Hall, who is on the books at Premier League club Brighton, heroically denied them.
Australia’s Alex Badolato was awarded player of the tournament for a stellar campaign where the Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder scored twice and provided three assists.
Badolato was one of 16 players in the squad of 23 for the tournament who are with A-League clubs, while the other seven play their club football in Europe or England.
The Young Socceroos will now turn their focus towards the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile in September and October, which they qualified for by making the semi-finals of the U20 Asian Cup and it will be the first time Australia has taken part in the premier global tournament for male teenagers since 2013.
