The CommBank Joeys have advanced to the semi-finals of the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026™ with a 3-0 victory over Vietnam on Sunday morning (AEST).
Oliver O’Carroll, Georgio Hassarati and Akeem Gerald were the goalscorers in a clinical display from Australia.
There were six changes to the side that took on Uzbekistan in the final group stage game. Besian Kutleshi, Miles Milliner, Archie Mitchell, Henrique Oliveira, Georgio Hassarati and Corey Da Cruz came into the starting eleven.
Kutleshi took the captain’s armband in defence.
Australia started strong and were close to opening the scoring at several points in the first half. Vietnam had plenty of possession, but could not create clear-cut chances of their own in response.
The deadlock was eventually broken before half-time. It came via a set piece, a long throw not cleared properly. Henrique Oliveira headed it down to Oliver O’Carroll, who turned well and finished from close range to give the Joeys the lead.
Vietnam were more dangerous in the second half. They were thwarted on several occasions by fantastic defensive work from Miles Milliner who put his body on the line to make blocks and disrupt the attack.
The Joeys made them pay for those missed chances. Georgio Hassarati did exceptionally well to bring down a long ball from Max Court around a defender, able to finish past the keeper from a tight angle to double their advantage.
The final goal was fantastic work from Akeem Gerald. He made a run from deep, playing a wall pass off Court for his second assist and then tucking the ball home into the bottom corner of the net.
The victory means that Australia will play China PR in the semi-final on Wednesday morning (AEST).
It is the CommBank Joeys' first semi-final appearance at the tournament since 2018 as they target their maiden final berth.
