The CommBank Young Socceroos have played out a 2-2 draw with Malaysia in their second AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027™ Qualifier in Vientiane.
Marcus Neill gave Australia the perfect start in the fourth minute, reacting quickest to a headed knockdown from Michael Pratezina’s free-kick to finish from close range.
The match was halted around the half-hour mark due to heavy rain and lightning, before resuming following a two-hour delay.
Malaysia levelled five minutes into the second half when Tengku Hasyri’s cross found Fadhlul Hadi Zulkarnain, who converted from close range.
Malaysia then took the lead in the 70th minute, with Tengku Hasyri driving into the box from the left before finding Izzuddin Afif, who lifted his finish into the top corner.
Australia responded in the 82nd minute as substitute Alaat Abdul-Rahman met Will Dobson’s cross and steered the ball home to make it 2-2.
The CommBank Young Socceroos then had an opportunity to snatch all three points late on, but Beckham Baker’s penalty was saved by Malaysia goalkeeper Faez Iqhwan.
The result leaves Australia on four points from two matches, level with Indonesia and sitting second in Group H on goal difference following Indonesia’s 3-0 win over Laos.
The two sides will now meet in Australia’s final group match on Sunday, 6 September at 7.00pm AEST.
STARTING XI: 1. ROBERT COOK (GK), 2. PETER ANTONIOU, 3. LEWIS MARINUCCI, 6. DANILO TREFFILETTI (9. ALAAT ABDUL-RAHMAN 73′), 8. HAINE EAMES (C), 11. ARTHUR DE LIMA (19. MICHAEL GHOSSAINI 53′), 15. JAI ROSE (20. OLIVER DRAGICEVIC 53′), 16. ALEX BOLTON, 17. MICHAEL PRATEZINA (10. WILL DOBSON 53′), 21. MARCUS NEILL (7. BECKHAM BAKER 73′), 23. LUKA DIDULICA
SUBSTITUTES NOT USED: 4. FEYZO KASUMOVIC, 5. ARCHIE TRIMBOLI, 12. JAI AJANOVIC (GK), 13. JASPER CHIPMAN, 14. JESSE MANTELL, 18. GEORGE PLUSNIN (GK), 22. EMILE KATRIB
YELLOW CARDS: 21. MARCUS NEILL 61′, 10. WILL DOBSON 65′, 20. OLIVER DRAGICEVIC 80′
RED CARDS: Nil
Malaysia U20: 2 (Mohamad Fadhlul Hadi 50′, Izzuddin Afif 70′)
CommBank Young Socceroos: 2 (Marcus Neill 4′, Alaat Abdul-Rahman 82′)
Date: Thursday, 3 September 2026
Venue: New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane
Next Match
CommBank Young Socceroos v Indonesia U20s
Date: Sunday, 6 September 2026
Venue: New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane
Kick-off: 4.00pm local / 7.00pm AEST
