Having made a flurry of changes in the last two matches, the starting side to face Japan was one of stability from Trevor Morgan, with only two alterations.

Frans Deli and Jonny Yull were brought into the starting side, with both players having been introduced at half-time in the quarter-final, playing a pivotal part in Australia's comeback.

The first-half provided zero shots on target. However, the Young Socceroos were eager to showcase their developing combinations, with Alex Badolato and Musa Toure providing two promising chances in the first stanza.

Toure's lone run through the Japan midfield after 15 minutes offered a shooting chance for Badolato with the Victory star striking marginally wide. Just 10 minutes later, it was the reverse, with Badolato floating a quality cross towards Toure, with the striker firing over the bar.

Subway Young Socceroos through to Asian Cup final after victory over Japan

The second-half would prove more fruitful for the Young Socceroos early on, with Musa Toure grabbing a deserved opening goal after 49 minutes.

This time it was a team-wide buildup with Paul Okon-Engstler spraying the ball wide for Daniel Bennie, who found the run of Jonny Yull. The midfielder utilised his Adelaide United background with Musa Toure, with an uncanny sense of timing, to find his South Australian teammate in the box to score.

Australia seemed to have a firm grip on the contest yet needed to stay vigilant against an immensely talented Japanese outfit. That point was made evident on the hour mark with substitute Ozeki striking the crossbar, providing a scare for Trevor Morgan's team.

In response, Jaylan Pearman would be introduced and just four minutes later, the Perth Glory starlet would double Australia's advantage from outside the box. It was Musa Toure's involvement again that sparked the attack, pressing Japan's back line to successfully retrieve the ball before playing to Pearman, whose long-range strike deflected off the keeper into the goal.

Despite a late point-blank stop from Steven Hall, the Young Socceroos defence remained tight and resolute, culminating in a first clean-sheet of the tournament, one which gives the side a wealth of confidence leading into the final against Saudi Arabia.

How To Watch: Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2025™

Australia U-20: 2 (Toure 49', Pearman 67') Japan U-20: 0 Date: Wednesday 26th February 2025 Venue: Bao'an Sports Centre Stadium, Shenzhen

Australia U-20 Lineup: 1. (GK) Steven Hall, 3. (C) Sebastian Esposito, 4. Panagiotis Kikianis, 5. Fabian Talladira, 6. Paul Okon-Engstler (16. Oliver Randazzo 90'), 7. Daniel Bennie, 8. Jonny Yull (20. Louis Agosti 80'), 9. Luka Jovanovic, 10. Alex Badolato, 17. Frans Deli (15. Jaylan Pearman 63'), 19. Musa Toure (11. Tiago Quintal 80')

Unused Substitutes: 2. Joshua Inserra, 12. (GK) Alexander Robinson, 13. Lucas Herrington, 14. Zach Lisolajski, 18. (GK) Gus Hoefsloot, 21. Dean Bosnjak, 22. Medin Memedi, 23. Adam Bugarij

-Football Australia