Thu 22nd Feb 2007

Melbourne Victory youngsters Kristian Sarkies, Vince Lia, Leigh Broxham and Adrian Leijer all represented the Australian Qantas Under 23 side that defeated a Hong Kong Select XI in penalties to finish third in the Lunar New Year Cup in Hong Kong overnight.

The Hyundai A-League Championship winning quartet returned to Hong Kong earlier in the week as the Australian’s concluded their preparation for next Wednesday’s crucial opening Group D Olympic Games qualifier against Iran.

Australia led 2-0 thanks to goals from Adelaide United duo Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite, but two late goals from Hong Kong sent the match into a penalty shootout which Australia subsequently won 5-3.

Australia started slowly but found their form late in the half and were rewarded in the 37th minute when Mark Bridge & Djite combined well in the attacking third, with Bridge’s shot spilled by the Hong Kong goalkeeper and Burns was on hand to steer the ball home.

After the interval the match opened up with chances for both teams before Djite doubled Australia’s advantage midway through the second half. The Adelaide striker stole the ball off a defender on halfway, then exchanged passes with Bridge and Dario Vidosic before slamming home his shot from the edge of the area.

Australia could not hang onto their advantage with firstly Festus Baise powering home an uncontested header in the 72nd minute.

The home team then equalized nine minutes from the end when acting captain Stephen O'Dor conceded a penalty with a mistimed sliding tackle and Keith Gumbs made no mistake to set up an exciting finish.

After 90 minutes penalties were required to determine third place with Tando Velaphi proving the hero with two saves, although one was re-taken after dubious early movement call. Australia went first in the shootout with Bridge, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Sarkies, O'Dor and finally Vidosic all converting to win 5-3 and claim third place in the tournament.

Hong Kong XI 2 (Baise 72', Gumbs 81'pen)
Australia 2 (Burns 38', Djite 67')
(Australia wins penalty shootout 5-3)

Australia: Tando Velaphi, Vince Lia (Ben Griffin 67'), Adrian Leijer (Robert Cornthwaite 63'), Stephen O'Dor (c), Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Troy Hearfield (Dario Vidosic 60'), Leigh Broxham, Kristian Sarkies, Mark Bridge, Nathan Burns, Bruce Djite.

Subs not used: Ben Kennedy (gk), Adam D'Apuzzo, Sebastian Ryall
Cautions: Topor-Stanley 25', Broxham 61', O'Dor 81', Sarkies 86'
Attendance: 13,564