Australia U17 1-3 Thailand U17
by Ben Gilby (14/5/24)
Above: The Junior Matildas celebrate Lily Punch’s goal that put then ahead against Thailand in the U17 Asian Cup in Bali. Photo supplied to Impetus by: AFC via Football Australia.
Australia ended their U17 Asian Cup campaign bottom of Group B after suffering a third successive loss – despite taking the lead in their final encounter in Bali against Thailand.
After going down to perennial Asian U17 heavyweights China and Japan in their first two group games, the Junior Matildas were confident about ending their tournament with a victory against the similarly winless Thai outfit.
Indeed, they made a good start with Tahlia Younis, one of the real shining lights of this event for Rae Dower’s side found in the box by Keira Meyers, but she couldn’t quite connect.
Benyapa Singsai in the Thai goal also had to be alert to deny Tiana Fuller, but she was finally beaten just after the half-hour mark at the third attempt. Alvina Koshaba’s cross found Younis whose header came back off the bar and fell for Indiana Dos Santos to hit a shot that hit the post before Lily Punch finally turned the ball home.
Australia were racking up the shots on goal, but only had a one-goal lead to show for it – always a dangerous statistic. Unfortunately, they suffered the hard way as Thailand levelled seven minutes later Kurisara Limpawanich gained possession and waltzed her way through from just inside the Australian half and ended up with a one-on-one with Caoimhe Bray and slotted home.
The game turned with 23 minutes to go as Rinyaphat Moondong fired home a superb free-kick from 20 yards. Faced with the prospect of ending their campaign in Indonesia without a win, the Junior Matildas pushed forward in search of an equaliser.
They were unable to find a way through, and in stoppage time were hit by a sucker punch as Moondong laid off to Chutikan Kitikhun to hit Thailand’s third.
This loss ensured that Thailand would finish above Australia in third place in Group B. Japan’s 4-0 win over China in the battle of the unbeaten sides who had already qualified for the semi-finals ensured they would finish top. Japan now face Group A runners-up South Korea in the last four whilst China take on Group A winners North Korea with both games taking place on Thursday ahead of Sunday’s Final and third/fourth place play-offs.
Teams: AUSTRALIA (4-5-1): Bray, Tartaglia, Dewey, Yates, Khoshaba, Meyers, Younis, Dos Santos, Fuller, Dundas, Punch. Substitutes used: Bennett, Duong, Gutzmit, Kiceec.
Scorer: Punch 31′.
THAILAND (4-5-1): Singsai, Noyvach, Kinklai, Khucuea, Jaimulwong, Moondong, Yingsakul, Casteen, Khamtan, Kruechuenchom, Limpawanich. Substitutes used: Suebsuan, Mukdasakulpibal, Thaprik, Kitikhun, Bupphahao.
Scorers: Limpawanich 38′, Moondong 67′, Kitikhun 90+7′.
Referee: Bùi Thị Thu Trang (VIE).
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