The Subway Joeys have secured a 3-1 win over China to clinch top spot of Group G and with it, automatic qualification to next year's AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023™.
Nestory Irankunda once again proved decisive for Brad Maloney's side as he scored a brace and registered an assist for Miguel Di Pizio's emphatic sealer in Shepparton on Sunday afternoon.
The visitors negotiated the majority of the second-half with 10 players when Cui Taixu's stray boot caught the face of Irankunda on 50 minutes.
Australia settled the quickest of the two sides and they would open the scoring inside seven minutes through Irankunda.
The speedster dribbled past three defenders before being fouled inside the box and the referee made no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Irankunda confidently dispatched the ensuing spot-kick and performed his trademark backflip as he ran off in celebration.
Maloney's side maintained the pressure in the minutes after taking the lead but their wastefulness in front of goal proved costly.
Max Hately was unable to capitalise on a defensive error, shooting wide his one-on-one attempt, and then squandered a shot from point-blank range.
Peter Antoniou's accurate low cross found the striker but his attempted was spectacularly saved by goalkeeper Xie Gongbo.
In the 23rd minute, a second penalty was awarded for the hosts this time for a blatant handball, arising from a seemingly innocuous situation.
But the Subway Joeys failed to take advantage with Hately slipping at the critical moment and seeing his penalty land wide of the target.
And almost instantly, China made the Green and Gold pay when Wang Yudong got on the end of a corner to equalise with a simple tap in.
On the stroke of half-time, Antoniou's near-post effort almost squeezed in but was parried away in the final action of the first 45 minutes.
Before both sides could really settle following the restart, China was reduced to 10 players when Taixu was adjudged to have made dangerous contact with Irankunda.
From that point on it was the Aussies with the ascendancy and they finally found the breakthrough via a lovely bit of composure from the Adelaide United winger.
The 16-year-old brought a loose ball before steering his clinical finish across the goalkeeper on 65 minutes.
He would then turn provider ten minutes later when his square ball spotted an unmarked Di Pizio and the midfielder unleashed a brilliant strike from distance to put the game to bed.
China thought they had grabbed a goal back off a set-piece but the assistant referee immediately raised his flag for offside as Australia held on in front of 1,117 spectators in attendance.
MATCH DETAILS
Subway Joeys 3 (Irankunda 7' (p) 65', Di Pizio 75')
China 1 (Yudong 25')
Date: Sunday, 9 October 2022
Venue: Shepparton Sport City Precinct
Kick-Off: 3.00pm AEDT
Broadcast: Live & Free on the My Football YouTube Channel
Match Attendance: 1,117 (Tournament total: 2,768)
Player of the Match: 17. Nestory IRANKUNDA,
Australia Lineup: 1. Anthony PAVLESIC, 2. Peter ANTONIOU, 3. Sotiri PHILLIS, 4. Andriano LEBIB, 8. Corey SUTHERLAND, 10. Miguel DI PIZIO, 14. Andre PARKES (21. Fabian TALLADIRA 61'), 17. Nestory IRANKUNDA (16. Jaylan PEARMAN 81'), 9. Max HATELY (19. Mitchell GLASSON 30')
Substitutes not used: 5. Xavier SMITH, 6. Ryan KALMS, 7. Tiago QUINTAL, 11. Ayman GULASI, 12. Michael VONJA, 13. Jacob MCLACHLAN, 15. Zachary DE JESUS, 18. Gus HOEFSLOOT, 22. Lucas HERRINGTON, 23. Ben DUNBAR
Yellow Card: 16. Jaylan PEARMAN 84'
Red Card: Nil
Group G Standings | AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers
| Position |
Nation |
Goal Difference |
Points |
| 1. |
Australia |
+35 |
9 |
| 2. |
China PR |
+18 |
6 |
| 3. |
Cambodia |
-19 |
0 |
| 4. |
Northern Mariana Islands |
-34 |
0 |
