Young Socceroos coach Trevor Morgan to share secrets of team’s AFC Under-20 Asian Cup triumph
The Young Socceroos’ AFC Under-20 Asian Cup success came on the back of meticulous planning from coach Trevor Morgan and his staff.
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Young Socceroos coach Trevor Morgan hopes Football Australia can capitalise on a blueprint of his side’s AFC Under-20 Asian Cup triumph to ensure future success for the nation’s representative teams.
Morgan’s men are the toast of Australian football after not only qualifying for this year’s FIFA Under-20 Cup but also winning the same age group’s Asian Cup, an accomplishment sealed by Saturday night’s penalty-shootout victory in the final over Saudi Arabia.
The win in China was the culmination of a precise and well-planned 18-month journey that included qualifiers, other games and training camps.
“There’s a lot of factors involved,” Morgan said after arriving home in Sydney on Monday.
“We’ve actually been analysing our performances for the last 18 months and putting together a bit of a return on investment for Football Australia to consider.
“Where did we go? Who did we play? How many players do we blood? Where did we go looking for players? How many matches do we put them through to make sure they have match experience at a high level?
“All of those things we’re going to pull together and summarise and share among our national teams in case it’s useful to keep momentum going.”
Morgan said further detailed planning would be part of the Young Socceroos’ preparations for the Under-20 World Cup, which starts in September in Chile.
“I think we can do the same in September … with year-round monitoring, watching the players, and being open to rises and falls in form, and then not being closed minded about what the team’s going to be,” he said.
Young Socceroos star Alex Badalato, who was named the Under-20 Asian Cup’s player of the tournament, was hoping his loan move from Western Sydney Wanderers to Melbourne Victory would increase his A-League minutes to better prepare him for the World Cup.
“It’s crucial,” the attacking midfielder said.
“It’s the next stage of my development to break into the first team and become a regular player.
“Hopefully, I can get some game time up and take that into the World Cup for Australia.”
Badalato said being judged the best player at the Under-20 Asian Cup was “pretty unbelievable”.
“When you’re there, you’re wrapped up in the team goals, and all you want to do is win the tournament, but after the tournament, when they come to tell you you’ve been player of tournament, it’s a surreal feeling,” he said.
Originally published as Young Socceroos coach Trevor Morgan to share secrets of team’s AFC Under-20 Asian Cup triumph
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