Source: AFC
Doha: Centre-back James Donachie and striker Jamie Maclaren scored in either half as Australia picked up their first points of the AFC U23 Championship with a 2-0 win over a hard-working Vietnam on Sunday at Grand Hamed Stadium.
Donachie opened the scoring inside the first two minutes as Aurelio Vidmar’s side looked to bounce back from Thursday’s 1-0 opening day defeat by the United Arab Emirates after the Olyroos conceded a last-gasp own goal.
And with Maclaren adding a second on the hour mark despite a determined display from Toshiya Miura’s Vietnam, Australia head intoWednesday’s meeting with Jordan firmly in the qualification picture in Group D.
“It was a very positive game for us. I knew going into the game we had to rebound following the defeat by the UAE three days ago and I was really confident we would bounce back and that is what they did and we controlled the game for long periods of the game. We got a little sloppy in the second half, but their goalkeeper made some fine saves and we potentially could have had more goals, but I am still very satisfied to win 2-0,” said Australia coach Vidmar.
“It was a very tough game. We knew it would be a tough game as they are well coached and well organised and they have made big improvements in the last few years. They have lots of 1995 born players that suggests they are investing in youth.”
Looking to make a belated start to their campaign following their heartbreaking defeat by the UAE at the same venue earlier in the week, Australia made the ideal start as Donachie was on hand to fire into the net via the underside of the crossbar from the edge of the six yard area after Vietnam defender Dao Duy Khanh had struggled to deal with Alex Gersbach’s corner after just two minutes.
And another Gersbach delivery two minutes later almost handed Australia a quickfire second, but fortunately for Vietnam, goalkeeper Phi Minh Long was able to apply a crucial touch as Duy Khanh’s near post header looked on course for the back of the net.
But despite the early setback, Vietnam remained in the contest with Ngyuen Cong Phuong providing a constant threat going forward, leading to recalled Australia midfielder Mustafa Amini picking up an 11th minute yellow card for upending the striker.
Australia, though, came close to a second 15 minutes before half-time as the Olyroos quickly worked the ball across to Andrew Hoole, but after the midfielder cut back inside the penalty area, Vietnam goalkeeper Minh Long stood up well at his near post.
Minh Long was then fortunate to save from Maclaren soon after as only an outstretched leg denied the striker as the Brisbane Roar forward connected with a pull back from team-mate Brandon Borrello, who shot wide just before half-time.
And the Vietnam goalkeeper continued to be required at the start of the second half as the custodian snuffed out a chance for Maclaren just two minutes after the restart from Borrello’s through ball before pushing away a flicked header from the striker a minute later, with Donachie unable to capitalise on the rebound.
But Maclaren finally found a way past Minh Long on the hour mark as the striker netted from the edge of the six yard area from Hoole’s pass after Vietnam had failed to clear the ball out of their penalty area after Amini had been denied by the goalkeeper.
That finally put daylight between the sides, although Vietnam continued to push for a goal that their display deserved and Miura’s side were only denied an 85th minute consolation as Australia goalkeeper Jack Duncan acrobatically turned Pham Manh Hung’s dipping free-kick over the crossbar.
“In the first game we were not aggressive enough in the loss against Jordan. It was the first experience for some of the players and they were a little nervous, but we spoke about this today and we played more aggressively and we were much better than in the first game. We lost two goals from crosses and we know Australia are much taller than us,” said Vietnam coach Miura.
“We have lost two games and it is now quite difficult to go to the quarter-finals, but this is the first experience in the final round of Olympic qualifying and most of these players are under 20 years old and I hope for the future these young players get good experience.”
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