Any doubts over the Hyundai A-League’s ability to produce future stars have been emphatically cast aside with four of the five goal scorers in the Australian U-23’s 6-0 win over Cambodia plying their trade domestically.
Graham Arnold’s team made the best possible start to their 2020 AFC U-23 Championship Qualification campaign, comfortably seeing off the hosts in Phnom Penh.
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Australia opened the scoring in the 21st minute through Aiden O’Neill, on loan at Central Coast Mariners from Burnley, burying a header and assisted by Brisbane Roar’s Nicholas D’Agostino.
Newcastle Jets’ winger Joey Champness was next on the scoresheet in the 29th minute before Club Brugge midfielder Riley McGree, on loan at Melbourne City, added Australia’s third two minutes later.
Perth Glory’s Brandon Wilson made it 4-0 before the break and Champness would notch his second, and Australia’s sixth, late in added time.
Of the starting XI, nine were Hyundai A-League players, showcasing how domestically focused Arnold’s squad is.
The local flavour continued on the bench with a further six players contracted to Australian clubs.
Those players will have a chance to impress when Australia take on Chinese Taipei in their next match on Sunday at 9.00pm (AEDT).
