AUSTRALIA has been eliminated from the FIFA World Youth Championship, after going down 4-0 to favourite Brazil in today's Round of 16 games, in Argentina.
The LG Young Socceroos contained Brazil to one goal in the first half, but were unable to match their South American opponents in the second, conceding 3 goals in the space of 21 minutes.
Adriano scored a goal in each half to lift his tournament tally to five goals, his first at the 27th minute mark when he drilled the ball past Australian keeper Jess Vanstrattan, and his second in the 67th minute, again leaving Vanstrattan with no chance.
Australia's best chance fell to Joshua Kennedy at the 32nd mark, after a series of attempts from a Gareth Edds corner were blocked by the Brazil defence, however the striker shot wide from 10 metres out.
Brazil's other goals came from Kaka, whose close range shot made it 2-0 to Brazil 10 minutes into the second half, with the fourth scored in the 74th minute by Eduardo.
Australia, Germany, the United States and China now depart Argentina for their respective homes, with Brazil, France Egypt and home nation Argentina moving into the quarterfinals.
"We did well in the first half, but they were just too strong for us in the second," said coach Ange Postecoglou after the match.
"We were playing into a strong wind in the first half and were finding it difficult to play out, but the boys defended really well, I was very pleased with our effort in the first half.
"Brazil scored a great goal just before the thirty minute mark, but we pretty much dominated the rest of the half, and created two or three good opportunities, but we needed to take one of them.
"We went into the half-time break confident that we could continue to match it with them, we'd have the wind behind us and could put them under pressure, but it just didn't happen.
"Their #9, Adriano, was too strong, and once they scored the second goal, we were basically chasing the game, and while we continued to go forward in trying to score, they opened us up on the counter attack," he continued.
"The most pleasing aspect for me was the way we kept our composure in the first half, we were frustrating them by keeping the ball, and as I said earlier, our first half was definitely our better half.
"Wayne Srhoj was outstanding for the whole game, he gave away virtually no possession, and Adrian Madaschi was very strong at the back, and really, everyone worked very hard, but at the end of the day, they were the better team, and we have to accept that.
"Brazil is one of the tournament favourites, and I feel that they will go close to winning this tournament, but in saying that, they did struggle at times when we put them under pressure, so they may come undone against a stronger side." Postecoglou concluded.