Subway Young Socceroos clinch first-ever AFC U20 Asian Cup title in historic shootout victory

First Half

The first chance of the final fell to Saudi Arabia in the third minute, with No.9 Talal Haji finding space on the right side of the penalty area and striking well, but Australia goalkeeper Steven Hall was equal to it, making a great save to deny the Saudis early on.

Both teams showed promising signs in the opening exchanges, but neither could find the deadlock with their respective defences standing firm. 

In the 13th minute, another decent opportunity presented itself to the Saudis when, after a purposeful attack, the ball dropped to their No.9 once again, but Haji wasted the guilt-edged chance and could only blaze his shot over the bar.

After an energetic opening 20 minutes full of high intensity and intent from both finalists, the game began to settle.

Then, in the 24th minute, the Subway Young Socceroos took the lead. Alex Badolato sprayed a clever free-kick into the box, which Mohammed Ali Barnawi headed away, only for the ball to fall to Louis Agosti who showed brilliant composure to strike a firm volley towards the bottom left corner of the goal, which Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Hamed Al-Shanqiti got a hand to, but parried into his own net.

Australia continued to grow into the game, showing plenty of energy and attacking verve, which Saudi Arabia struggled to deal with, picking up three yellow cards within just eight minutes.

In the 36th minute, some incisive combination play between the ever-lively Badolato and Luka Jovanovic could have led to a second goal for Australia. But, after a clever one-two, where Jovanovic cut the ball back in a promising position for Badolato, our No.10 could only pull his shot slightly wide. 

Then, somewhat against the run of play, Saudi Arabia found their equaliser two minutes into added time. While Australia keeper Hall appeared to have saved Haji’s goal-bound header, a goal was awarded by the referee. And, after a lengthy VAR check, it was deemed that the ball had already crossed the goal line, and so the scores were level at half-time after an entertaining and even first 45 minutes.

Second Half

At the start of the second half, Trevor Morgan made a triple change, bringing on Jonny Yull, Jaylan Pearman and Fabian Talladira, replacing Joshua Inserra, Louis Agosti and Zach Lisolajski.

In the 52nd minute, Paul Okon-Engstler found Pearman with a slick pass 30 yards from goal. The Perth Glory man, full of confidence after his pearler in the semi-final against Japan, set himself with a clean first touch and fired a rasping shot just wide of the post.

Just four minutes later, Australia came close to regaining the lead. Talladira floated in an inviting cross from the left flank, but despite no Australia player being on the end of it, Awad Aman shanked the ball towards his own goal, nearly scoring a spectacular own goal, only for Al-Shanqiti to save well and spare his teammate’s blushes.

Bennie and Badolato both then had attempts to find the back of the net, but neither were able to convert, capping off a chaotic sequence of play.

Saudi’s best chance to take the lead came in the 67th minute, when a speedy counter-attack led to an opportunity for Saad Hussain Haqawi. The #11 found himself with the ball in a promising position, but despite striking well with his left foot from a tight angle, Hall dealt with it convincingly.

Not long after, a brilliant, incisive, passing move from Australia, involving Okon-Engstler and Yull, nearly led to one of the goals of the tournament.

The ball found its way to the industrious Bennie on the right flank and the QPR star cleverly pulled it back to Pearman, whose curling shot flew agonisingly wide of the right post.

Trevor Morgan made his fourth change of the night in the 81st minute, replacing the uncharacteristically quiet Musa Toure with creative threat Tiago Quintal.

Australia’s fifth and final substitution came in the 89th minute, when Morgan freshened up his midfield by sending on Frans Deli for the impressive Okon-Engstler.

With neither side able to find a winner in regulation time, the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2025™ final headed into extra-time.

Extra-Time

After an uneventful opening eight minutes of extra-time, Lucas Herrington entered the fray in place of the tireless Bennie in the 98th minute for his second appearance of the tournament.

Just five minutes later, Australia came close to edging ahead after further positive build-up play. The energetic Deli clipped a clever ball through to Jovanovic, who looked likely to score, but for a crucial last-ditch block from the Saudi Arabian defender.

With tired legs clearly a factor for both teams during extra-time, chances were few and far between and a penalty shootout felt like an inevitability. And with extra-time eventually ending goalless, that became a reality with the final heading to penalties.

The Subway Young Socceroos emerged victorious in a high-quality shootout, with Jovanovic, Badolato, Pearman, Yull and Kikianis all cooly dispatching their spot-kicks before Aussie keeper Hall denied Bassam Hazazi in stunning fashion to win the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2025™.

History was made, as Trevor Morgan’s side became the first-ever Australian U20 side to win the AFC Asian Cup. A tournament we’ll never, ever forget.

Australia U-20: 1 (5) (Agosti 24′) 
Saudi Arabia U-20: 1 (4) (Haji 45+2′)
Date: Saturday, 1 March 2025 
Venue: Bao’an Sports Centre Stadium, Shenzhen

Australia U-20 line-up: 1. (GK) Steven Hall, 2. Joshua Inserra (8. Jonny Yull 46′), 3. (C) Sebastian Esposito, 4. Panagiotis Kikianis, 6. Paul Okon-Engstler (17. Frans Deli 89′), 7. Daniel Bennie (13. Lucas Herrington 98′), 9. Luka Jovanovic, 10. Alex Badolato, 14. Zach Lisolajski (5. Fabian Talladira 46′), 19. Musa Toure (11. Tiago Quintal, 81′), 20. Louis Agosti (15. Jaylan Pearman 46′)

Unused Substitutes: 12. (GK) Alexander Robinson, 16. Oliver Randazzo, 18. (GK) Gus Hoefsloot, 21. Dean Bosnjak, 22. Medin Memedi, 23. Adam Bugarija