Australia got their u-20 World Cup campaign off to a satisfactory start with a 1-1 draw against Columbia in Trabzon yesterday.
Celtic’s Jackson Irvine played a key role anchoring the midfield as Paul Okon’s side came within 12 minutes of beating the South American champions.
Sixteen-year-old Daniel de Dilva gave Australia the lead in the 46th minute but the Columbian’s equalised through Jhon Cordoba.
Afterwards Okon said: “It was a great game, I think both teams showed their qualities.
“We knew before the game what we were up against, South American champions, but we also had this belief that if we could perform the way we know we can perform, play our style of football, we’d give ourselves a good chance of winning the game.
“We came very, very close, we’re disappointed that at 1-0 we had two chances to probably put the game to bed.
“We didn’t do that and unfortunately Colombia punished us. First game, we’re delighted and we turn our attention now to El Salvador.”
In their opening match El Salvador lost 3-0 to hosts Turkey with an Australian win on Tuesday almost certain to take them into the second stage with four third placed sides as well as the top two in each group progressing to the last 16.
“We can turn our attentions to El Salvador, a good opponent,” Okon added. “People are saying this is the game Australia’s going to win easily. We’re not having any of that.
“We need to put in a similar performance [against El Salvador], and if we can do that we’re confident we can win.”
Jackson Irvine interview
