FOOTBALL
TUESDAY UPDATE:
THE Young Socceroos and Mexico's under 20s capped off a memorable week of international football at Kogarah Oval, playing out a 2-2 draw on Sunday night.
The ground also hosted the Australian women's team's farewell match on Thursday night before they headed to their World Cup in Canada.
Officials had been expecting a crowd of about 2000, but an official crowd of 4277 braved the wind and at times torrential rain to give the Matildas a memorable send-off as they thrashed Vietnam 11-0.
The Young Socceroos then took on Mexico U20s following Brazil U20s' 1-0 win over Portugal in a pair of friendly matches used as a warm-up for the Under-20s World Cup in New Zealand.
Another healthy crowd provided a carnival atmosphere at Sunday's double header, featuring drums, whistles and plenty of colour.
On the field, the Young Socceroos, who failed to qualify for the Under-20s World Cup starting on Saturday, led 2-0 at half-time thanks to goals from Brisbane Roar duo Brandon Borrello and Shannon Brady.
But Mexico fought back to score twice, including a last-minute penalty, to salvage an entertaining draw and confidence boost heading into their first World Cup fixture against Mali on Sunday.
There were a number of local players on show as the Young Socceroos started with Sutherland products Tom Glover and Sydney FC pair Chris Naumoff and Alex Gersbach with former Rockdale and now Bournemouth goalkeeper Jordan Holmes on the bench.
Sutherland's Servet Uzunlar played 90 minutes at right back for the Matildas, while Brighton-Le-Sands midfielder Teresa Polias was an unused substitute.
The Matildas flew out for Canada on Saturday morning and will face heavyweights the US in their opening match on June 9.
SUNDAY:
A penalty two minutes from time saw Mexico come from two goals down to snatch a draw with Australia in an entertaining under 20s World Cup friendly at Kogarah Oval on Sunday night.
The Young Socceroos, who failed to qualify for the tournament in New Zealand starting on Saturday, led 2-0 at half-time thanks to goals from Brisbane Roar duo Brandon Borrello and Shannon Brady.
But a mistake at the back with seven minutes to play allowed Mexican striker Diego Juarez Pineda to reduce the deficit before Australia conceded a late penalty.
Luis Alberto Marquez Quezada stepped up to slide home past Tom Glover and ensure a nervy finish.
Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou was among the healthy crowd on a cool evening at Kogarah.
He would have been pleased with what he saw early as Paul Okon's team started brightly and looked comfortable in possession.
Borrello opened the scoring after half an hour when he was brought down by Mexican goalkeeper Jose Luis Gonzalez before stepping up to confidently stroke home the penalty.
Brady doubled the advantage just before the break as he finished off a slick counter attack down the right.
There were a number of local players on show as Australia started with former Sutherland products Glover and Sydney FC pair Chris Naumoff and Alex Gersbach.
Former Rockdale and now Bournemouth goalkeeper Jordan Holmes was on the bench.
Earlier, Brazil warmed up for the u20s World Cup by beating Portugal u20s 1-0.
The double header capped off a big week at Kogarah Oval after the Australian women's team, the Matildas, headed off to their World Cup in fine style with an 11-0 thrashing of Vietnam on Thursday night in their farewell game.
The Young Socceroos will be back in action on Wednesday night when they play Brazil at WIN Stadium, Wollongong.
Scoreboard
Australia u20s 2 (Borrello '30 (p), Brady '42) drew
Mexico u20s 2 (Pineda '83, Quezada '88 (p)) at Kogarah Oval
