Australia U-23’s preparations to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games continued with a strong 4-0 win over DPR Korea U-23 on Sunday night (AEDT) in Chongqing, China.
Two days after accounting for China U-23 5-1 at the Chongqing City Dazu District Sports Centre Stadium, the green and gold returned to the same venue and turned in another impressive attacking display.
Australia took the lead in the 30th minute when Alex Gersbach’s cross caused havoc in the penalty area, leaving Zach Duncan – Gersbach’s teammate at Danish Superliga outfit AGF – to lash home the opener.
Wellington Phoenix starlet Reno Piscopo doubled the advantage following a superb free-kick from 25-yards just after the hour mark.
Tass Mourdoukoutas of Western Sydney Wanderers made it 3-0 with a powerful header from Ramy Najjarine’s corner.
And the rout was completed by Daniel Bouman in dying minutes of normal time, with the midfielder from Eerste Divisie outfit SC Cambur tapping home at the back post after Connor O’Toole’s excellent assist.
Australia U-23 wrap up their three-match tour of China against Lithuania on Tuesday, 19 November (kick off 7.00pm AEDT).
The U-23 side are in China building momentum ahead of the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship in January.
Hosted by Thailand, the 16-team tournament decides the three Asian teams who will join host nation Japan at the Olympic football tournament next year.
Australia will meet the host nation Thailand, Iraq and Bahrain in Group A.
