Five South Australian Young Socceroos touched down in the state today following their heroics in the team's historic U20 Asian Cup triumph on Saturday night. Adelaide United defender Panagiotis Kikianis and penalty shootout hero Steven Hall spoke to the media upon returning home as Asian champions.
Five of South Australia's Young Socceroos touched down in Adelaide today following their Asian Cup success. (Image supplied)
The Young Socceroos made history on Saturday by becoming only the third-ever Australian national team to win the AFC Asian Cup and the first at the youth level. After a gruelling 120 minutes and a tense penalty shootout against Saudi Arabia, Trevor Morgan's side prevailed 5-4 after a 1-1 draw to achieve an unprecedented feat many did not expect heading into the tournament.
Today, most of the domestic-based contingent from the squad, now referred to as the champions of Asia, returned home to their respective home states and/or A-League Men clubs, including five of the six South Australian members: the Adelaide United quartet of Panagiotis Kikianis, Jonny Yull, Luka Jovanovic, Fabian Talladira, and Reds product Steven Hall.
Each of the five South Australians played a crucial role in helping Australia win the continental title. Kikianis and Talladira started almost every game in a defence that progressively improved each game of the tournament; Jovanovic was the team's equal top scorer (along with fellow South Aussie Musa Toure), and Yull often provided a spark off the bench with his creativity (particularly in the pivotal 3-2 quarter-final win over Iraq). Meanwhile, Hall's contributions were arguably the most notable, having pulled off the incredible and decisive shootout save that ensured the Young Socceroos would be crowned champions.
Kikianis, who formed a solid centre-back pairing with Lecce's Sebastian Esposito throughout the campaign, was asked about enjoying this moment with his fellow South Australian contributors upon arrival in Adelaide.
"I'm pretty sure there was six of us (South Australians) on the pitch at the same time if I'm correct, so for Australian football, it's amazing, especially for South Australian football," he told reporters.
The defender further praised the effort of the Football South Australia NTC program - and, assumedly as a by-product, Adelaide United - for continuing to develop talent that has proven to not only be able to compete but overcome Asia's best.
"For what the program is here, it's an unbelievable program, and I'm sure there will be many more (players) to come."
Though perhaps the most memorable moment from the tournament in the years to come will be the win over the Saudis to clinch silverware, the aim in Shenzhen, first and foremost, for the Young Socceroos was to achieve World Cup qualification, which they did by mounting a resilient and stunning comeback over Iraq at the quarter-final stage, progressing to the semi-finals with a 3-2 win.
Kikianis shed some insights into the mood among the squad following the two most pivotal victories in China.
"The first one against Iraq to qualify for the World Cup; that was amazing as well; tears flew through everyone; that was an emotional night," he added.
"And then the Final, obviously Saudi took us all the way, and it was a different way, we haven't won a game on pens or in extra-time, we've done it in the 90, but to go to pens, win, show character, it was amazing, and yeah, it is still a blur for us."
To overcome the Saudis, the Young Socceroos required their goalkeeper, Steven Hall, to become the hero in a nervy penalty shootout. The Brighton and Hove Albian U21 custodian, who, like Kikianis, was developed through the Football SA NTC-Adelaide United program, made what was the decisive stop on Saudi Arabia's fifth penalty, extending out his left hand to miraculously claw away Bassam Hazazi's spot-kick and crown Australia Asian champions.
Hall also spoke to reporters today, first responding to the comparisons between his heroics and a similar performance by a particular Socceroos goalkeeping legend from 2005.
"It feels pretty good. I wasn't around when that happened (Mark Schwarzer saving two penalties to send the Socceroos to their first World Cup in 32 years); it was the year that I was born, but seeing people compare that save to his is just an amazing feeling," the 20-year-old said.
"I kind of thought when I first dove that I went past the ball because it was a little bit behind me, but when it hit my glove, I knew I'd saved it, and when I got up, and I saw the team and the rest of the boys running towards me, I was just lost for words; it was just a fantastic feeling."
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That moment and the latter stages of the campaign held greater significance for Hall, who was playing for both continental glory and in the memory of his late grandfather, who sadly passed away earlier in the tournament.
Upon making the historic save, Hall ran to the cameras and pointed to his right glove, which had "For you Grandad" inscribed.
"He was with me in that shootout, and he was with me for the Iraq game; he was with me in the Japan game.
"That moment, that save was just all him, so it was just a really proud moment for myself."
Hall, Kikianis, and the rest of the South Australian delegation will again look to proudly represent their home state while possibly making even more history at the U20 World Cup in Chile later this year.
The showpiece event won't commence until late September. For now, and at least for the next few days, the group will enjoy what was a monumental achievement for Australian football and one they will be remembered for forever. But hopefully, there's even more to come.
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