City’s Bruce Kamau found himself on the scoresheet on Thursday as Australia’s U23 side got off to the perfect start at the AFC U23 Championships in China with a 3-1 win over Syria.
Kamau scored in the 43rd minute – being taken off at half time – as Stefan Mauk wore the captain’s armband in the contest.
Adelaide United’s George Blackwood headlined the contest with his double as Ante Milicic’s side looked the better side throughout the contest.
Kamau, Mauk and unused sub Ruon Tongyik will now prepare for their second group match against Vietnam on Sunday 14 January before facing Korea Republic on Wednesday 17 January.
Both matches will be broadcast live on FOX Sports.
Match Details
Australia U23: 3 (Blackwood 8’, 77’, Kamau 43’)
Syria U23: 1 (Deng (OG) 54’)
Venue: Kunshan Stadium, China
Referee: Khamis Al-Marri (Qatar)
Australia U23: 1. Paul IZZO (Gk), 2. Nicholas COWBURN, 5. Aleksandar SUSNJAR, 8. Stefan MAUK (C), 9. George BLACKWOOD, 11. Bruce KAMAU (7. Trent BUHAGIAR 46’), 13. Milislav POPOVIC (10. Ajdin HRUSTIC 57’), 17. Brandon WILSON, 20. Thomas DENG, 22. Daniel DE SILVA, 23. Benjamin GARUCCIO
Substitutes not used: 3. Alexander GERSBACH, 4. Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS, 6. Aiden O’NEILL, 12. Thomas GLOVER (Gk), 14. Riley MCGREE, 15. Keanu BACCUS, 16. Joseph CHAMPNESS, 18. Danijel NIZIC (Gk), 19. Deni JURIC, 21. Ruon TONGYIK
Yellow cards: Hrustic
Red cards: Nil
Vietnam U23 v Australia U23
Sunday 14 January 2018
Kunshan Stadium, Kunshan
Kick-off: 4pm (local); 7pm (AEDT)
Broadcast: Full match LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on FOX SPORTS 506
Korea Republic U23 v Australia U23
Wednesday 17 January 2018
Kunshan Stadium, Kunshan
Kick-off: 7.30pm (local); 10.30pm (AEDT)
Broadcast: Full match LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on FOX SPORTS 501
