In the golden October sunshine, at 12 o'clock sharp, in the 3rd round of Group G of the 20th U17 Asian Cup 2023 Qualifying Tournament, a much-anticipated focus battle was passionately staged in Shepperton Sports City Stadium of Australia, with the two sides facing each other, the powerful Australian team and our team.
[Our record]
After the fierce competition in the first two rounds, our team won 9-0 against Cambodia with an overwhelming advantage, followed by an 11-0 sweep of the Northern Mariana Islands. In these two games, our team scored a total of 20 goals, with Wang Yudong scoring 7 goals, Zhang Haojie contributing 3 goals, Huang Kaijun, Liu Chengyu, and Wang Haobin scoring 2 goals each, and the rest of the players scoring goals as well.
Our team is currently 13 goals behind Australia, and will have to beat the powerful Australian team in order to get out of the group stage and win the top spot to advance directly. If we draw with Australia, the two teams will advance hand in hand. If our team is unlucky enough to lose, we will be ranked second in the group, with three points and a goal difference of no more than 8. Whether we can advance to the final stage as second in the group will depend on the specifics of the subsequent matches. Head coach Yang Chen said confidently, "We will give our best in the final game against Australia, and everyone is fully prepared."
[Australia's record]
The Australians have been equally impressive, beating the Northern Mariana Islands and Cambodia 23-0 and 10-0 in the first two rounds of the tournament. The two teams have scored 33 goals, with Ilan Kunda scoring six solo, Hartley and Grayson five each, Kuntar four, Pizzio three, Antonio, Lebib and Dovison two each, and Parks and Pearman one each.
Australia is currently 13 goals ahead of us and can advance directly to the top of the group with a draw or a win. If they draw or win against us, they can secure the top spot in the group. If Australia lose to China, they will finish second in the group with 3 points and a goal difference of no more than 9. Whether or not they will finish second in the group and advance to the final stage is also in doubt.
[Projected debut]
Australia's expected starters: 1-Pavlesic; 2-Antonio, 3-Phillips, 4-Lebeb, 14-Parks; 7-Quintal, 8-Sutherland, 10-Pizzio, 21-Talladilla; 17-Irangunda, 19-Grayson
Our team is expected to start: 22 - Xie Gongbo; 16 - Liu Tiecheng, 3 - Wu Qipeng, 2 - Sun Kangbo; 8 - Huang Kaijun, 19 - Kuai Jiwen, 23 - Fu Xiao, 7 - Cui Taixu; 15 - Zhang Haojie, 10 - Wang Yudong, 17 - He Kanghua
