Australia, who celebrated a 3-1 opening day win over Saudi Arabia, have been boosted by the return of two players from suspension.TASHKENT – Australia coach Martyn Crook is boosted by the return of Marc Warren and Benjamin Kantarovski from suspension for Tuesday’s AFC U-16 Championship Group C meeting with fellow opening day winners China.
The Joeys produced a dominant display of attacking football to down a dangerous Saudi Arabia side 2-1 in Sunday’s opener and Crook will be faced with a welcome selection dilemma as Australia look to take a step towards a quarter-final berth at Pakhtakor Stadium.
“We have got a couple of guys who were suspended who will come into the calculations so it is good to have fresh legs coming into the team,” he said.
“There is not a lot of time between the games so we have to get straight back into it. It will be a big task against China so we will just take it one game at a time.”
China needed a late goal from Guo Yi to edge out Turkmenistan 2-1 despite dominating the contest, but coach Zhang Ning is confident his side will settle in time to face Australia.
“It was very difficult against Turkmenistan, there was a lot of pressure on the players, but as the tournament progresses they will learn to handle it and that will allow them to play better,” said Zhang.
“We created a lot of chances against Turkmenistan and we need to start taking them.”
Turkmenistan coach Amanklych Kochumov will hope the return of influential striker Vahyt Orazsahedov, who missed the defeat to China through suspension, will provide a much-needed boost to his side for the meeting with Saudi Arabia.
Team captain Orazsahedov scored four goals as Turkmenistan finished third in their qualifying group, which was won by hosts Uzbekistan.
“Vahyt will be back, while we should have a few other players back to full fitness,” he said.
“The game against China was our first experience of the championship and we will be able to improve and relax for the next game.”
Saudi Arabia will look to get their tournament back on track after struggling defensively against Australia’s high power attacking style.
“We will try and work on the psychological side and hopefully help the players forget the defeat and keep their heads high,” said coach Joaquim “Kika” Filho.
“Hopefully we will play better against Turkmenistan and get the three points and keep up our challenge for a place in the quarter-finals.”
Source:The AFC.com
