Australia began its AFC Under-17 Asian Cup Qualifying campaign in emphatic fashion on Wednesday evening, downing Northern Mariana Islands 23-0 at Shepparton’s McEwen Reserve.
On top throughout the contest, the Joeys rarely took their foot off the accelerator against an overrun Islands squad.
Piling on 10 first-half goals and 13 in the second, the Australians were led by the performance of Nestory Irankunda, while Peter Antoniou and Miguel Di Pizio also put in good shifts.
“I thought that our players were quite professional in their approach and tradesman-like in doing the job that we had to do and it’s good to get off to a good start,” Australia coach Brad Maloney said.
“You never really know what to expect and we have full respect of our opponent.”
It took only a minute for Australia to find the opening goal in wet and wild conditions at the Theatre of Dreams, with Irankunda striking home first.
Once this goal went in the floodgates opened, with Irankunda scoring two more in the sixth and 16th minute.
Dominating possession, Australia was rarely pushed into its defensive half and constant forward pressure resulted in more goals throughout the opening stanza.
“Every game counts and we don’t know what’s going to happen in the next two match days,” Maloney said.
“So it’s always an advantage to have a good goal difference, but everyone has to play each other yet in the tournament, so we’ll see what happens the next two match days.
“Of course the aim is to be top of the group to qualify for the cup.”
While Irankunda would add to his hat-trick with two more goals in the contest he was not the only one on the score sheet.
Sydney FC’s Mitchell Glasson scored four goals and Max Hately scored three, while Di Pizio, Antoniou and Tiago Quintal all struck a brace.
Single goals to Jaylan Pearman, Andre Parkes, Andriano Lebib and Campbell Dovison helped round out the win.
For Northern Mariana Islands, the strong showing of goalkeepers Vicente Jose Reyes and Mark Chavez was a positive and coach Michiteru Mita said this was just the beginning of the nation’s soccer journey.
“For most of our players this was the first time getting international match experience, so this is very important,” Mita said.
“This is their first step as a national team player.”
Taking on China on Friday and Cambodia on Sunday, Mita said the next two games in the tournament would provide further experience for his team.
For Australia, Cambodia awaits on Friday, while a showdown with China on Sunday could decide who finishes top of the group.
Despite its loss to China, Cambodia will enter the contest full of confidence, having beaten Australia in the AFF Under-16 Youth Championships in August.
“There will be a few players in this group that won’t forget the previous encounter with Cambodia,” Maloney said.
“We’re going to have to be at our best to compete with them and try and get a positive result.”
The results of match day one have Australia lead qualifying Group G, with China in second, Cambodia third and Northern Mariana Islands fourth.
Key Performer - Peter Antoniou - Australia
Running up and down the right flank, Antoniou played a key role in a number of Australia’s goals. Finding the back of the net twice himself, the right back showed plenty of class throughout the contest, playing out the full 90 minutes.
Match day one - Australia v Northern Mariana Islands - Wednesday, October 5
Australia 23 (Irankunda 1’, 6’, 16', 38', 71', Hately 28', 43', 48', Glasson 32', 36', 59', 64', Di Pizio 35', 54', Pearman 43', Antoniou 55', 63', Quintal 56', 69', Parkes 75', Lebib 77', Dovison 91', Own Goal 89') d Northern Mariana Islands 0
Attendance: 428
Player-of-the-match: Nestory Irankunda
Upcoming AFC U-17 Asian Cup Fixtures — All games at Shepparton’s McEwen Reserve
Friday, October 7
3pm, Northern Mariana Islands v China PR
7.30pm, Cambodia v Australia
Sunday, October 9
3pm, Australia v China PR
7.30pm, Cambodia v Northern Mariana Islands