THE Australia U-17 soccer team made a spectacular start to its campaign in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023 Qualifiers at Shepparton Sports City with an emphatic 23-0 win against the Northern Mariana Islands in the Group G competition on Wednesday, October 5.
With inclement weather not diminishing the excitement of the 700 strong crowd, player of the match, Nestory Irankunda wowed spectators by scoring four goals, the first within 70 seconds of kick-off. The ‘wonderkid’ from Adelaide United FC left little scope for defence for the Blue Ayuyu with his devasting mix of speed and skill.
The Subway Joeys continued their dominance on the field on match-day two to secure a 10 – 0 win over Cambodia on Friday, October 7.
After making some alterations to the team after the decisive win in the opening match, head coach, Brad Maloney proudly saw his team take the lead after less than five minutes against the Angkor Warriors, going on to score a 3-0 cushion at half time.
Nestroy Irankuda again made his mark early in the second half and from there piled on the goals in front of a 703 strong crowd.
Player of the match, however, went to Sydney Wanderers FC star, Max Hately, who bagged a brace.
Meeting the mighty China PR on Sunday 9, in front of an elated 1,117 strong crowd, the Joey’s secured a 3-1 win to clinch the top spot of Group G and with it an automatic qualification to next year’s AFC U-17 Asian cup.
With 36 goals bagged and with Nestory Irankunda again taking player of the match, the undefeated Australians are certain to make a formidable presence on the world stage in next year’s Herculean Asian Cup tournament.
