Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kaohsiung City: Australia began their AFC U-23 Championship 2016 qualifying campaign with a 6-0 thrashing of Hong Kong at the National Stadium in Chinese Taipei on Friday.
The Australians led the game 2-0 at the break before adding four more goalsafter the interval, including two in stoppage time, in the Group F game.
Striker Jamie MacLaren scored a triple (76", 90+1", 90+5") while Connor Pain registered a double (21", 79") for Aurelio Vidmar’s side. Captain Mustafa Amini also got on the score sheet with a 10th minute goal.
Australia will next take on hosts Chinese Taipei while Hong Kong face off against Myanmar on Sunday.
Ten group winners and five best second-placed teams from all groups will join hosts Qatar at the AFC U-23 Championship 2016, with January’s 16-team competition also serving as Asia’s qualifying tournament for the Olympic Games in Rio.