Hyundai A-League players have starred as Josep Gombau’s classy Australia U-23 side defeated Singapore 7-0 in their AFC U-23 Championship Qualifier in Myanmar.
Jonathon Aspropotamitis, Keanu Baccus, Lachlan Scott and Jaushua Sotirio were all selected in the 23-player squad.
After defeating Brunei Darussalam 2-0 in their opener, the Australians have made it two from two in group action.
Australia completely dominated proceedings on the heavy pitch against a physical Singapore Lions side.
They were confident in possession and clinical in front of goals.
The Aussies were 4-0 up at the break (Stefan Mauk, George Blackwood (2) and Eintracht Braunschweig’s Milislav Popovic).
And the excellent Wanderers winger Jaushua Sotirio could’ve made it 5-0 just minutes after the restart – his low shot just going wide.
But just on the hour mark Trent Buhagiar stole possession in a wide position and the cut back was easily converted by Popovic to make it 5-0, and his second of the night.
Mariners winger Buhagiar was causing all sorts of problems and he was the player brought down for a penalty on 67 minutes.
Jets’ Devante Clut calmly converted for the sixth of the night.
It was soon 7-0 after a corner wasn’t cleared and Sotirio’s fast feet found space in the box and he shot low past the keeper.
Sotirio almost made it eight with a stinging drive that hit the bar with a few minutes to go as Singapore went down to 10 men following a wild tackle on Buhagiar.
Australia next face the host nation, Myanmar, on 23 July in their next game.
This article was originally published at: www.footballaustralia.com.au/article/slick-aussie-u-23s-overwhelm-singapore/1ckmevu92we921eup8v6uv630m
