Australia U23 national team advanced to the semi-finals after slashing Turkmenistan U23 national team with a score of 1-0 in the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2022.
Alou Kuol saw a wonderful chance to put Australia ahead slip away in the sixth minute when he mistimed his run in anticipation of Ramy Najjarine’s through ball, allowing Turkmenistan keeper Rasul Charyyev to intercept easily.
Teymur Charyyev, whose heroics on Matchday Two earned Turkmenistan a 2-1 win over Islamic Republic of Iran, should have capitalised following a counter-attacking move just before the quarter of an hour mark but the midfielder failed to find the target from distance.
Australia came close moments later with Najjarine sending his long-range effort just above the bar following Jay Rich-Baghuelou’s pass.
Australia saw their best chance of the half come in the 37th minute when Jordan Courtney-Perkins did well to evade his marker before finding Rich-Baghuelou, whose shot whisked agonisingly wide of the right upright.
Both sides continued to toil in front of goal with Lachlan Brook seeing his effort saved, while Mirza Beknazarov failed to find the target from inside the six-yard-box in the closing minutes of the first half.
Australia started the second half the better of the two sides with Najjarine doing well on the right flank before sending a wonderful cross into the area for Kuol who, however, failed to direct his header on target.
Turkmenistan played in patches but gave Australia a scare just after the hour mark when Rahman Myratberdiýew sent Samämmet Hydyrow through on goal but the midfielder failed to trouble Australia goalkeeper Joe Anthony Gauci.
Australia’s constant pressure finally paid off when they scored in the unlikeliest of fashions in the 74th minute when Orazov inadvertently headed the ball backwards, which ricocheted off the underside of the woodwork before crossing the line.
Turkmenistan came back fighting but were unable to restore parity with Myratberdiýew seeing his effort saved, while Beknazarov and Charyyev both missed clear cut chances as Australia advanced to their second successive semi-finals.
Credit Photo : AFC
