Cambodia secured the final ticket to the ASEAN U19 Championship semifinals after battling back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Australia on June 9.

The result allowed Cambodia to finish as the best runner-up across the group stage, edging Vietnam out of the knockout rounds in dramatic fashion.

Australia in control early

Australia made the perfect start and opened the scoring after just three minutes.

A lapse in Cambodia's defense allowed Marcus Neill to race through and tap into an empty net, giving the Young Socceroos an early advantage.

Australia continued to dominate and nearly doubled their lead moments later when Neill fired narrowly over the crossbar.

The second goal arrived in the 18th minute. Following an excellent run down the left flank by Crawford, Alexandro Nunes reacted quickest inside the box to convert from close range and make it 2-0.

At that stage, the scoreline was enough to send Vietnam through to the semifinals.

Australia remained in control for much of the first half, creating several additional opportunities while Cambodia struggled to threaten.

Cambodia launch a second-half fightback

Cambodia emerged after the break with renewed determination.

Their persistence paid off in the 60th minute when Sreng Sokea cut inside from the right and unleashed a shot that took a deflection before finding the net, reducing the deficit to 2-1.

The goal transformed the contest as Cambodia pushed forward in search of the equalizer that would revive their qualification hopes.

Australia still posed a threat on the counterattack, but Cambodia's goalkeeper produced a series of crucial saves to keep his side alive.

Late drama changes the semifinal picture

The decisive moment arrived in the 82nd minute.

From a corner kick delivered from the left, Australian defender Marinucci inadvertently turned the ball into his own net while attempting to clear, gifting Cambodia a dramatic 2-2 equalizer.

The goal completely altered the semifinal race.

With the draw, Cambodia moved ahead of Vietnam in the ranking of second-placed teams and claimed the final place in the last four.

Australia pushed for a winner in the closing stages, but Cambodia held firm.

In stoppage time, Australia's Mac Allister received a straight red card after a dangerous overhead-kick challenge that injured a Cambodian defender.

Shortly afterward, the final whistle confirmed Cambodia's historic achievement.

Match details

Australia U19: Plusnin, Marinucci, Evagorou-Alao, Cecchi, Alfaro, Baker, Mac Allister, Nunes, Neill, Cooper, Crawford.

Cambodia U19: Mat Farib, Han Ty, Vatana, Somborithy, Phan Vreak, Sem Raksa, Sros Rayuth, Long David, Sreng Sokea, Ly Sok Krya, Sou Menghong.

Goals:

Marcus Neill 3'
Alexandro Nunes 18'
Sreng Sokea 60'
Marinucci (own goal) 82'

Semifinal implications

Cambodia's comeback means they advance to the semifinals as the tournament's best second-placed team.

The result ends Vietnam's campaign in heartbreaking fashion, with qualification slipping away in the final group-stage match.

Cambodia will now face Thailand in the semifinals, while the remaining semifinal pairing has also been confirmed following the conclusion of the group stage.

An Nhi