We're as good as anyone, says Joeys skipper Teague

Australia’s Under-16’s have vowed not to let the jubilation of reaching next year’s World Cup dilute their desire to finish as the top team in Asia heading into Peru 2019.

Victory over Japan in the semi-final of the AFC Championship in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday evening will propel Trevor Morgan’s rookies into the decider against either Korea Republic or Tajikistan.

And skipper Ryan Teague, who is part of Sydney’s FC youth set-up, says he and his fast-evolving teammates “fear nobody”.

“We’re as good as any other team here and can go all the way if we want to because we have the quality in our side to do so,” Teague said

“We’re seen as a strong team here now and the belief in each other has grown with every game. The bond between the boys is getting stronger and stronger.”

The Joeys looked anything but formidable during their 3-0 opening group game loss to a confident and classy Korea Republic, raising doubts over their ability to reach the knockout stage.

But confidence-building wins over Iraq and Afghanistan followed, culminating in a thrilling 3-2 victory against Indonesia which punched their tickets for South America next June, after failure to qualify for the main event in 2015.

Qualification has quickly given way to determination to leave Malaysia with winners’ medals, as holding midfielder Teague now focuses on the top prize.

“Reaching the World Cup is a dream of course and we’re excited to be going but we’re going all out to finish the job here,” he added.

That could mean a revenge mission against the Koreans, who looked on another level in the opener but can now be brought back to earth, according to Teague, should they meet again in the final.

Taking charge of a team at his first major tournament, Morgan has also blossomed with Teague insisting his positive mantras - not to mention tactical acumen with a team who came to Malaysia with a patchy preparation - have been crucial.

“After the Korea match he kept us thinking we could still progress and just needed to show everyone what we can do,” he added.

Japan, who squeezed past Oman 2-1 in their quarter-final, will present tricky opposition but Teague, who hopes to get some A-League minutes with the Sky Blues this season, sees them as eminently beatable.

Morgan agrees, decreeing his faith in his players was never in question.

“I believe we’re good enough and as a coach the best thing you can do is show the boys how much you believe in them,” Morgan said.

“We had a tough first match but three wins in a row now has shown that we’re as good as any team here.

“There’s been a significant improvement since our first game and the team rose to the occasion in front of a big crowd against Indonesia.

“They played some of their best football of the tournament in an environment you dream of playing in.

“It’s building to the level of experience they need to be professional footballers.

“It’s not job done yet. Some say it’s about qualifying (for Peru) first and then try and make the final along the way.

“Our idea was to try and win the final here and qualifying would be part of that.

“Japan will be difficult: they are fluent and mobile and play a 4-4-2. They have a lot of free play in the final third, which is what you’d expect of a Japan team.

“But we’ll have a game plan that will give us a chance to win the match.”