Penalty heartbreak for Saudi Arabia in U-20 Asian final
SHENCHEN, CHINA: There was heartbreak for Saudi Arabia in the final of the AFC U-20 Asian Cup on Saturday as they lost a penalty shootout 5-4 to Australia.
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Saudi Arabia's shot-stopper Hamed Yousef is the #AFCU20 Best Goalkeeper! pic.twitter.com/CVXtDqEOGh
— #AsianQualifiers (@afcasiancup) March 1, 2025
Australia took the lead in the 24th minute. Saudi Arabia failed to deal with a free-kick on the left and the ball fell to Agosti just outside the area. He swung a foot and his low shot ended up in the bottom corner. Saudi keeper Hamed Al-Shanqiti got a hand to the ball and probably should have kept it out.
Just when it looked as if the Green Falcons were going to in at the break behind, they had the ball in the net — though only just. Nawaf Al-Ghulaimish crossed from the right and Haji headed into the arms of goalkeeper Hall, who was standing behind the goal line. After a lengthy VAR check to ascertain whether the whole of the ball had crossed the line, the goal was given.
The second half was open with both teams pushing for a win. After 56 minutes there was a major scramble in the Saudi Arabian area. Al-Shanqiti made a smart reaction save from a botched clearance by Awad Aman, then Daniel Bennie had two shots blocked before Alexander Badolato pulled his effort just wide. Not long after Saad Haqawi's low shot from the left was saved.
There were more opportunities, but the stalemate remained and the final went into extra time. Those 30 minutes carried on in the same vein before the referee blew his whistle to end two hours of football and signal a penalty shootout, the second in a row for Saudi Arabia, who defeated South Korea on penalties in the semi-final.
As in that match, Saudi Arabia's opponents took the first kick. Unlike South Korea, Australia converted, and went on to score each of their penalties. Thamer Al-Khaibri coolly leveled with Saudi Arabia's first. Farhah Al-Shamrani scored to make it 2-2. Ali Al-Mahdawi slotted home the third. Saleh Barnawi made it 4-4. Then the pressure was on Hazazi to level again and take the shootout into sudden death. But his effort was saved and Australia took the title.
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