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Young Socceroos book U20 World Cup place after worldie

Young Socceroos book U20 World Cup place after worldie

Yahoo22-02-2025

Australia's young soccer stars are celebrating a huge double prize in China after a thrilling 3-2 comeback win over Iraq not only booked them a place in the Under-20 Asian Cup semi-finals but also ensured they'll play in the U20 World Cup later this year.
In a game of stunning goals in Shenzhen on Saturday, the crowning moment for the Young Socceroos came with a belting 75th minute volley from Melbourne Victory's Alex Badolato that sealed a terrific quarter-final triumph in which they'd twice had to battle back from a goal behind.
The victory, which sparked huge celebrations among Trevor Morgan's enterprising young team in the Baoan Sports Centre Stadium, ensures the Aussie teenagers will face either Japan or Iran in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
ABSOLUTE SCENES AT THE FULL-TIME WHISTLE! 🎉WE'RE OFF TO CHILE! 🥳#YoungSocceroos #AFCU20 #AUSvIRQ pic.twitter.com/hz3u8r3BMw
— Football Australia (@FootballAUS) February 22, 2025
But most importabtly, the win also seals their spot at the Under-20 World Cup in Chile in September and October, the first time Australia have competed in the global showpiece since 2013.
Yet it didn't start well for the Young Socceroos when Amoori Faisal put the Iraqis ahead with a superb curling strike on the quarter-hour after the Aussies had been caught in possession in midfield.
Within seven minutes, though, Adelaide United prospect Luka Jovanovic delivered an astonishing riposte, earning a free-kick about 30 metres out and then trying his luck with a thunderbolt set-piece strike that caught Iraq keeper Wisam Ali napping.
Luka Jovanovic dispatches a wonderful free-kick 🎯🎥 @10FootballAU #YoungSocceroos #AFCU20 #AUSvIRQ pic.twitter.com/vnFNX5rqy2
— Football Australia (@FootballAUS) February 22, 2025
But the Iraqis went back ahead in the 26th minute when Mustafa Qabeel latched on to fine lofted through ball from Layth Mahmood, outpaced Sebastian Esposito, then turned the same Australian defender inside out again before firing home.
Iraq had their chances to increase their lead but Karrar Jaafar's volleyed effort was blocked by Paul Okon-Engstler and after Musa Toure had missed a headed chance for Australia, the equaliser came just a few minutes later after the half-hour mark when Iraq failed to clear Okon-Engstler's cross.
That left Badolato to set up Panagiotis Kikianis for a curling right-footed finish that any central defender would have been proud of.
Steven Hall, once the youngest goalkeeper in A-League Men history at Adelaide and now at Premier League Brighton, did his bit with a couple of key saves, one from Muslim Mousa's header.
WHAT AN UNBELIEVABLE HIT TO GIVE THE #YOUNGSOCCEROOS THE LEAD! 🚀Alex Badolato take a bow. 😮🎥 @10FootballAU #AFCU20 #AUSvIRQ pic.twitter.com/aTsceUpM4R
— Football Australia (@FootballAUS) February 22, 2025
Then just two minutes later, Mousa's headed clearance at the other end only fell kindly for Badolato, the Victory midfielder who's just signed on loan from Western Sydney, and his thunderous volley from just outside the box ripped into the net for the most spectacular of winners.

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Thunder vs. Pacers Game 3 pick: 2025 NBA Finals player props, predictions
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  • New York Post

Thunder vs. Pacers Game 3 pick: 2025 NBA Finals player props, predictions

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World Cup 2026: Who's qualified, who's struggling and which underdogs have a shot at glory?
World Cup 2026: Who's qualified, who's struggling and which underdogs have a shot at glory?

New York Times

time11 hours ago

  • New York Times

World Cup 2026: Who's qualified, who's struggling and which underdogs have a shot at glory?

The 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada is one year away. Plans are being made, hopes are being raised, lists of countries not allowed to travel to the tournament are being checked. Thus far, more than 500 matches have been played since the first qualifier took place in October 2023, to narrow 206 teams down to 45, plus the three co-hosts, for the tournament. Ten teams have secured their passage, 67 have been definitively eliminated (plus one that pulled out) and while some of the established powers are already through, others are wobbling. Two nations have also qualified for the first time. As the clock starts to tick down, here is the state of play: who's in, who's out, who's hopeful and who's worried. Already qualified: None The qualification process hasn't even started for half the European nations yet, including some of the biggest hitters — Germany, Spain, France and Portugal. 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Already qualified: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Uzbekistan The Asian qualification process is so vast and unwieldy that it started in October 2023, and involves up to six rounds, the third of which has just been completed. And while established powers Australia, Iran, South Korea and Japan have already qualified as expected, they have been joined by some more surprising candidates. Jordan are through to their first ever World Cup, an incredible achievement for a country whose closest attempt had been losing 5-0 against Uruguay across two legs of an intercontinental play-off in 2014. Last week, they sealed second place in their group and thus automatic qualification with a 3-0 win against Oman last week, thanks to a hat-trick from Ali Olwan. It's an incredible feat, but perhaps not quite such a colossal shock given it comes after they reached the final of the 2023 Asian Cup, when they lost to Qatar. Jordan have done this without many stars, which is not quite the case for fellow first-time qualifiers Uzbekistan, whose 'golden generation', featuring Roma forward Eldor Shomurodov and Manchester City's Abdukodir Khusanov, took them through. Uzbek president Shavkat Mirziyoyev was so delighted that he bestowed a variety of awards and honorary titles on the players, the coaching staff and everyone down to their photographer and the deputy chairman of the team's fan club. This isn't where qualification stops. Oh no, sir. The teams that finished third and fourth in the three groups go into another phase, this time two groups of three. They include Saudi Arabia, who are in real danger of not qualifying, which would be surprising given their performance in 2022, when they defeated ultimate champions Argentina, but also pretty embarrassing for everyone involved, not least Gianni Infantino, given their increasing political importance to the FIFA president and Saudi's status as hosts in 2034. 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Jordan's long road to World Cup qualification took a strange diversion
Jordan's long road to World Cup qualification took a strange diversion

Yahoo

time11 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Jordan's long road to World Cup qualification took a strange diversion

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