Blues striker Ben Folami won his second Australia U23s cap and scored his first goal at that level as the Olyroos thrashed hosts China 5-1 in their opening game at a friendly tournament in Chongqing.
Folami came on as a 68th minute sub and netted his goal 17 minutes later, cleverly working himself space on the edge of the box before hitting a low strike which beat the keeper to his right off the inside of the post.
The 19-year-old joined up with the squad yesterday after playing the full 90 minutes for the Blues in Tuesday’s 1-0 Leasing.com Trophy tie at Colchester.
Speaking after that game the Sydney-born frontman said he was expecting to play two matches while away.
"It’ll be very hectic,” he said. "I fly out [Wednesday], I get there on Thursday their time, then I have two games to play and then I’ll be back. I’m only there for four or five days, so it’s a long way to go. But I’m very happy to do it, so it’s OK.
Goal at 2hr 01mins 00secs
"The games are ahead of the AFC U23 tournament in January, which is in Thailand and that’s to qualify for the Olympics.
"That is the next goal for me national team-wise, so to do well in this camp and then for them to call me up in January for that, that would be great.”
The Australian youngsters subsequently face North Korea on Sunday and Lithuania on Tuesday.