Ehren Hazell and his Australian under-21s team-mates avenged for their shock opening game loss to Japan in resounding fashion to finish with bronze at the Sultan of Johor Cup.
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The two-times defending champions were consigned to the third/fourth play-off despite a final round 4-nil win over New Zealand, and easily accounted for their Japanese rivals 6-1.
It was sweet revenge for the Burras after their earlier 2-1 defeat, which ultimately cost them a place in the final.
Niranjan Gupte and Ben Staines scored a brace for the Burras, who controlled the play in the bronze medal clash from the start.
Gupte’s goals came in the fifth and 38th minute in a man of the match performance while Staines was on target in the ninth and 34th minutes.
Burras coach Chris O’Reilly said it was well-deserved to finish with the bronze medal.
“A little disappointed not being in the final, but pleased to beat Japan in the second meeting and we had a good game which saw some good goals. I am happy with what we were able to do here and I am sure the players would have learned a lot from the outings,” he said.
