The CommBank Olyroos will compete at the 2026 AFC Under-23 Asian Cup after qualifying as group winners.
Australia’s 0-0 draw with hosts China was enough for the Olyroos to book their spot at the January showpiece in Saudi Arabia.
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Despite a scoreless stalemate, Tony Vidmar’s unbeaten Olyroos progressed automatically as Group D winners, ahead of China on goal difference, with a host of Isuzu UTE A-League stars, past and present, on show.
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Australia’s starting XI boasted Melbourne City’s Championship-winning goalkeeper Patrick Beach, Perth Glory’s Nathanael Blair, Western Sydney Wanderers defender Anthony Pantazopoulos, Adelaide United sensation Ethan Alagich, Central Coast Mariners defender Nathan Paull and Matthew Grimaldi, Rhys Bozinovski and Abel Walatee, who played for Western United in 2024-25.
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A-Leagues products Kealey Adamson (QPR), Oscar Priestman (Motherwell) and Giuseppe Bovalina (Vancouver Whitecaps) were also in the line-up.
“We came here knowing it was going to be a difficult match against a very good team,” Vidmar told Xinhua post-match.
“We really fought hard in difficult conditions, so we’re very proud.”
The Olyroos ended the qualifying campaign without conceding a goal, while scoring 20 themselves en route to the Asian Cup, where Australia’s U23 outfit are eyeing their first title.
Glory striker Blair spearheaded Australia with five goals – the joint-most goals in qualifying alongside Iran’s Kasra Taheri and Jordanian winger Odeh Al-Fakhouri.
Blair will be hoping for more senior football in 2025-26 after swapping the Wanderers for Perth at the start of last season. He was limited to just 288 Isuzu UTE A-League minutes during his debut campaign with Glory.
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Featured image: Football Australia