Illawarra beaten but unbowed in Australian game

Illawarra Premier League player of the year Matthew Bailey battling an opponent.

AN ILLAWARRA select team pushed the Australian under 20s all the way before going down 1-nil in a friendly at WIN Stadium on Sunday. The match was a warm up for the Australian under 20s before they go into camp for their upcoming Under 20s World Cup Qualifiers. For Illawarra players and supporters it was a chance to see some of the nation’s emerging talent and cap a massive year of football in the Illawarra. Illawarra dominated midfield in the first half, with IPL player of the year Matt Bailey and David Reid in control. Australia created a chance in the 14th minute but Milos Lujic’s header went wide with an open net begging. The host’s first chance came seven minutes later when Osagie Ederarro turned from the penalty spot and shot just wide. Illawarra had a number of chances in the balance of the half but couldn’t convert. Despite being held scoreless in the first 45 minutes, Australia came out firing in the second half. Ten minutes after the restart, Illawarra ’keeper Mitchell Blowes made his first save, palming a low, goal-bound effort wide of the post. Illawarra’s trump cards – IPL leading goalscorer Ilija Prenzoski and Ederado – combined to create a golden chance two minutes later. Ederado’s low, hard cross found Prenzovski, who fended off the Australian ’keeper and his defender but just failed to curl the ball into the net. That near miss sparked the Australians; they created two golden chances before breaking the deadlock in the 70th minute. A low cross evaded the Illawarra defence but Blowes made a reflex save only to parry the ball straight back into the path of Australian striker Nathan Elasi. Elasi made no mistake to put the Australian side ahead and as it panned out, seal the game. The final quarter of the match saw concerted Australian pressure on the Illawarra goals, as well as both sides using all their substitutes. On the balance of play a draw may have been a fairer result, but nobody seemed to mind. There then followed an extraordinary penalty shootout which the Goalkeepers completely dominated. The Illawarra select team gained some revenge by winning 2-1 with seven penalties being saved.