The Olyroos have jumped to the top of Group A at the AFC U-23 Championship after beating hosts Thailand, pushing them one step closer to qualifying for their first Olympic Games in 12 years.
After a 1-1 draw in their opener against Iraq at the AFC U-23 Championship, the Olyroos have jumped ahead of the pack with a 2-1 win against Thailand.
The hosts drew first blood in the 43rd minute with a goal from midfielder Anon Amornlerdsak, before green and gold Nicholas D'Agostino responded two minutes later, sending the teams into half time 1-1.
It was in the 76th minute that D'Agostino delivered the deciding blow, with the Olyroos holding onto their lead and claiming the 2-1 victory.
The winning goal for the Australia U-23's! đ#AFCU23 #GoAustralia đ„: @foxfootballaus
A post shared by Socceroos (@socceroos) on
After the match, young gun D'Agostino told Football Federation Australia that scoring a brace for his country was one of the highlights of his career so far.
âIt is definitely up there,â he said of the win.
âIt is probably one of my greatest career achievements so far, it is my first Asian Cup, so I am absolutely delighted.â
âObviously it was a tough game in front of the 22,000 fans that came out tonight. Thailand in their home country, it was always going to be a big game but especially going one-nil down early, that was tough, but we knew that we had the fight and courage to come back and we showed a lot of that tonight and got the result and that is massive for us," he continued.
âMy job is to score goals and that is what I am here to do and that is what Graham (Arnold) has belief in me to do and it is a great feeling scoring for your country, there is no better feeling in the world.â
"We have great players here from all over the world and we knew that if we had a lot more freedom and courage and confidence on the ball that we could break down anyone.â
âI think the boys showed a lot of fight and courage and I think the goal at the end of the first half really helped a lot leading into that second half."
Australia now top Group A with four points ahead of Thailand on three, Iraq on two and Bahrain on one, and will play Bahrain on Tuesday at 12.15 am +1 (AEDT). The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals.
Tokyo 2020 quota spots will go to the top three teams of the tournament.
If the Olyroos qualify for Tokyo 2020, it will be the first time since 2008 Australia has seen a men's football team contend an Olympic Games.
You can follow the games via Fox Sports, Kayo Sports and the My Football YouTube Channel.
Liana Buratti
