Alex Brosque and substitute Matt McKaay both scored to give Australia a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Canada in their Group C World Youth Championship game.

Australia dominated possession for most of the game, but tireless performances from Canadian strikers Iain Hume and Sita-Taty Matondo and midfielder Atiba Hutchinson kept the pressure on the Young Socceroos.

The tough game, played in front of about 4,000 fans at 18,000-seat Rashid Stadium in Dubai, saw Korean referee Jong Chul Kwon hand out five yellow cards - three to Australian players and two to Canada.

Australia's first goal, scored in the 12th minute, unfolded in textbook fashion, coming after a series of crisp passes spread out the Canadian midfield defence. When Brosque got the ball inside the box, the striker from Australian club Marconi easily rounded goalkeeper Alim Karim to score.

Canadian playmaker Hume, who plays for Tranmere Rovers in the English 2nd Division, equalised against the tide of play with a hard, low strike from the edge of the box in the 33rd minute.

The goal gave the Canadians a boost of confidence and seemed to swing the momentum in their favour for the rest of the second half. Late in the first half Hume, whose balance and pace constant threatened Australia, sprinted clear with the ball near the centre of the pitch, beat three defenders and powered a long drive at the opponents' goal, hitting the cross bar.

Australia scored the winner eight minutes into the second half, with midfielder Vince Lia finding Brosque loose inside the box, who tapped it left to second-half substitute McKay to score from close range.

Australia's defence, led by goalkeeper Nathan Coe, who plays with Inter Milan, withstood Canada's constant pressure throughout the second half.

Canada lost 2-0 to tournament favourite Brazil in the opening Group C game Friday, while Australia drew 1-1 with the Czech Republic. Lineups:

AUSTRALIA: Nathan Coe, Alex Wilkinson, David Tarka, Carl Valeri, Spase Dilevski, Mile Jedinak (Dustin Wells, 72), Scott McDonald (Michael Baird, 60th), Alex Brosque, Massimo Murdocca (Matt McKay, 46th), Vince Lia, Michael Thwaite.

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