Shining star: Former Goulburn Valley Sun Alou Kuol will once again pull on the green and gold of Australia on Wednesday.
Photo by
Rodney Braithwaite
While the Socceroos’ World Cup antics may have captured the attention of the Australian public on Tuesday, the eyes of the nation’s soccer fraternity will shift to Uzbekistan tonight.
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With a spot in the under-23 AFC Asian Cup final on the line, Australia’s best young talent, including Shepparton’s Alou Kuol, will take on Saudi Arabia at 11pm Australian time for a semi-final showdown.
The former Goulburn Valley Sun will once again be in the mix for a starting spot, with the attacker starting all four of Australia’s games and scoring a memorable ‘‘scorpion’’ goal against Iraq.
Like Australia, Saudi Arabia is yet to lose a game this tournament, with the two sides sure to put on a show at Pakhtakor Markaziy Stadium.
The green and gold side downed Turkmenistan 1-0 to make the last four, while Saudi Arabia beat a 10-man Vietnam 2-0.
Kuol will need to be at his attacking best to help the young Australian side get over the line, with the Saudis yet to concede a goal in the tournament.
However, the number nine and his side will have plenty of inspiration to get over the line, with the Socceroos’ World Cup qualification sure to add to the side’s confidence.
It was a nail-biting game for Australia’s senior men’s side on Tuesday morning, with the do-or-die World Cup qualifier against Peru going to a penalty shootout.
Risky move: Australian captain Mathew Ryan (left) was replaced by teammate Andrew Redmayne for the penalty shootout on Tuesday morning. (Photo by EPA/Noushad Thekkayil).
Photo by
Noushad Thekkayil
The shootout provided Australian soccer with an unlikely hero, with Sydney FC’s Andrew Redmayne coming off the bench to see the green and gold over the line.
Redmayne, dubbed the ‘’grey Wiggle’’ for his dancing tactics on the goal line, provided the winning save to send his side through to the Qatar 2022 tournament.
The under-23s will be hoping to replicate this success and, with soccer once again capturing the nation’s attention, a win will not only get the side through to the final, but might boost player stocks at home and abroad.
Tonight’s game between Australia and Saudi Arabia will kick off in Uzbekistan at 11pm Victorian time.
