Adam Taggart scored a brace as the Socceroos qualified for the East Asian Cup with an 8-0 win over Chinese Taipei on Sunday.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets forward Adam Taggart scored a brace as the Socceroos qualified for the East Asian Cup with an 8-0 win over Chinese Taipei at Hong Kong Stadium on Sunday night.
Taggart became the youngest Australian international to score multiple goals in a game since David Mitchell in 1981, when he netted the Socceroos- third and fourth goals.
The 19-year-old scored his first in the 19th minute when he latched onto a ball from Michael Thwaite through the heart of the Chinese Taipei defence and finished neatly to make it 3-0 in favour of the Australians.
Taggart was on the scoresheet again 10 minutes later when he slotted a powerful header from a pinpoint cross by Scott Jamieson.
The young Jets forward could have had a hat-trick midway through the second half but had a shot desperately cleared off the line by the Chinese Taipei defence.
Taggart was eventually replaced by Matt McKay in the 67th minute of the match with Australia leading 7-0 at the time.
Qualification means the Socceroos will now compete in the East Asian Cup to be hosted by South Korea in July next year. As well as the hosts, the tournament will also feature Japan and China.
