Western Sydney Wanderers star Lachlan Brook scored as the Olyroos edged Qatar 2-1 in an international friendly on Sunday (AEDT).
Australia Under-23s are in the Middle East for a pair of international friendlies, including next week’s matchup with Saudi Arabia, as they ramp up preparations for the 2024 AFC U23 Asian Cup in April.
In their first friendly, the Olyroos saw off Qatar thanks to goals from Paris FC loanee Toure and Western Sydney’s Brook at the Prince Saud Bin Jalawi Stadium in Khobar, Saudi Arabia.
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The starting XI featured seven Isuzu UTE A-League-based players – goalscorer Brook, captain Callum Talbot (Melbourne City), goalkeeper Patrick Beach (Melbourne City), Lucas Mauragis (Newcastle Jets), Kai Trewin (Brisbane Roar), Raphael Borges Rodrigues (Macarthur FC) and Mark Natta (Newcastle Jets).
Noah Botic (Western United), Ryan Teague (Melbourne Victory) and Nishan Velupillay (Melbourne Victory) also came off the bench.
Toure – on the books of Ligue 1 outfit Stade de Reims – made his Socceroos debut against England at Wembley in October and he broke the deadlock against the Qataris in the 27th minute.
The A-Leagues graduate showed an exquisite turn of pace as he turned his defender and found the back of the net in emphatic fashion.
With five minutes before half-time, Brook doubled Australia’s lead after being released by Adrian Segecic, who is on loan in the Netherlands from Sydney FC.
Qatar did pull a goal back prior to the break, however.
Marci Tilio came off the bench in the final nine minutes of regulation as he took a step towards a potential debut for Scottish champions Celtic.
