AFC U20 Asian Cup
Goals from Alex Badolato, Dean Bosnjak and Daniel Bennie saw Australia roar to the three points after going behind to Mohamed Khaled Gouda’s goal.
Australia’s knockout stage berth was sealed with a match to spare after China PR defeated Kyrgyz Republic 5-2 later on Saturday. The top two - who are both on six points - will meet on Tuesday to decide the group winners.
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Tiago Quintal forced Qatar goalkeeper Abubaker Osman into making his first save of the game in the fifth minute after he worked his way into the box but it was the West Asian side who broke the deadlock in the 19th minute.
Tahsin Jamshid turned on the booster on the right flank to speed past Panagiotis Kikianis before squaring the ball for Gouda to tap in at the back post.
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Qatar’s lead, however, only lasted five minutes with another speedy move leading to the equaliser, this time Quintal spotted the surging run from right-back Joshua Inserra whose cutback was swept home by Badolato.
Australia ended the first half the stronger of the two sides with Badolato having a curling effort crash against the post and Quintal heading wide from a Frans Deli cross but it remained all square going into the break.
Group A - MD2: Qatar v Australia
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Just like they did in the opening half, Australia started the second half on the offensive and found themselves ahead in the 52nd minute when Bosnjak rose highest to nod home Quintal’s corner kick.
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Australia took a firm grip on the match from there on with Qatar hardly given a chance to venture out of their own half.
The Young Socceroos constant pressure delivered their third goal through Bennie in the 69th minute, with the substitute firing in an unstoppable shot from an acute angle to seal the emphatic comeback victory.
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Australia, seeking to win the title for the first time, will now look to defeat China PR to finish as the Group A winners while Qatar will be playing for pride against Kyrgyz Republic in their concluding tie.
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