Aiden O’Neill has never been a player to shirk the big occasion, and Friday night was no different.
Looking back to his first visit to Stamford Bridge as a baby-faced 18-year-old in the Premier League, the Australian went toe-to-toe with Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante, Nemanja Matic, Eden Hazard, Willian and Oscar in a performance labelled “fantastic” by Burnley boss Sean Dyche in 2016.
This is also a player who made his Premier League bow against one of England’s most prestigious and successful clubs – Liverpool.
Fast forward seven years and the Melbourne City star was at it again, this time on his Socceroos debut against South American visitors Ecuador at CommBank Stadium, where Australia reigned supreme 3-1 thanks to goals from Jackson Irvine, Awer Mabil and Garang Kuol.
“I just really enjoyed myself out there. I said during the week, I’ve just been enjoying my football. It felt like I belonged out there,” he told Network 10 post-match.
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In the west of Sydney, O’Neill tested himself against a Premier League midfielder, Moises Caicedo – who was the subject of a reported £70 million (A$128m) offer in January, and did not look overawed.
In fact, the former Burnley youngster excelled in the heart of midfield as the Socceroos celebrated their first victory against CONMEBOL opposition, excluding penalties and last year’s World Cup play-off shoot-out against Peru, since 2010. Mabil wrapped up the night with a telling line – “This is a movie, and we want to keep directing that movie”.
Playing in front of Australia’s back four as a number six, behind Keanu Baccus and Irvine, Isuzu UTE A-League Championship-winning midfielder O’Neill was composed throughout the 90 minutes.
“It’s hard to put into words,” the 24-year-old said as he reflected on his maiden Socceroos cap.
“My family is here from Brisbane. Tonight was just unbelievable and to get a result like that. I thought we were really disciplined and played really well.”
“I wanted to give my dad and mum a bit of a surprise, so I actually didn’t tell them I was starting,” he added.
“I told my sister and she kept that as a little secret but I’m sure once I got here and realised I was starting, they would’ve been over the moon.”
His performance earned plaudits from not only his teammate but a Network 10 commentator.
Towering Socceroos defender and Leicester City centre-back Harry Souttar was glowing of O’Neill.
“Aiden O’Neill making his debut, you’re not going to get many better debuts than that,” he told Network 10.
During the match, co-commentator Andy Harper said: “I couldn’t be more impressed.
“He has not missed a beat. Looks completely at home I’d say.”
A Socceroo for life?
Alexander Robertson made his highly anticipated Socceroos debut off the bench, becoming a third-generation Australia international in the process.
Also eligible to represent England, Scotland and Peru, the Manchester City sensation accepted a call from Graham Arnold for the pair of international friendlies against Ecuador.
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The 19-year-old followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who both represented the Socceroos, as he came off the bench to earn his first cap in Sydney.
“It was very special to make my Socceroos debut. Obviously my grandad and dad have done it,” Robertson, who has been training with City’s first team, told Network 10 post-game.
“My country that I’ve played for, it’s just surreal. I can’t describe how it feels.”
While Robertson is now an Australia international, he is not locked to the Socceroos as the fixture was a friendly.
Born in Dundee, Scotland, he also qualifies for Peru through his mother while having lived in the UK for most of his teen life makes him eligible for England, who he has represented at U16, U17 and U18 level.
Asked if he was a Socceroo for life, Robertson replied: “I hope so yeah. It’s out of my hands but I think so yeah.”
It was an eventful debut for the youngster, who played alongside Real Madrid, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City target Jude Bellingham at youth level for England, as well as Bayern Munich’s Germany sensation Jamal Musiala.
He felt he should have been awarded a penalty late in the second half after going down in the area. Instead, the referee showed him a yellow card for simulation, which angered the Ecuadorians.
Harry Souttar came to the defence of Robertson as Ecuador players surrounded the debutant, having initially patted him on the head as he was on the ground, with tempers flaring.
Robertson, though, did not take a back step.
“I’m playing for my country, a country that means a lot to me and my family and I’d do anything for the shirt and the team I’m playing with. It comes with the passion,” said Robertson, who felt it was a penalty.
Souttar was very impressed with the teenager post-game.
“I just said I love it from him. He is still young, he has that bit of bite and we love that. That’s what we’re all about,” he recalled.
‘The brotherhood is back’
It was a happy homecoming for Garang Kuol and the Socceroos, who kicked off a new cycle with an impressive win.
Kuol became the fourth-youngest Socceroos scorer in the history of the men’s national team after opening his account six minutes from the end at CommBank Stadium.
The 18-year-old had come off the bench for just his fourth international cap.
“It was a beautiful moment to score my first goal,” he told Network 10.
“I think I almost missed it but at least it went into the back of the net. I’m just happy to get the win, we fought hard.”
It was the first time the Socceroos had played since their 2-1 loss to eventual champions Argentina in the last 16 at the World Cup last year.
In that fixture, Kuol almost scored a dramatic last-gasp equaliser, but the former Central Coast Mariners forward was thwarted by Emiliano Martinez at the death.
“The brotherhood is back, especially after the World Cup. It feels like a second family and a very special place being around the boys,” he said.
Kuol left the A-Leagues for Premier League giants Newcastle United in January, though he was immediately loaned to Hearts in the Scottish Premiership.
It has been a testing period for the youngster, with just seven league appearances – including one start – totalling 190 minutes.
But he was back on home soil and in front of loved ones against Ecuador.
“They were loving it. Just happy to make my family proud. It was good to have them here watching me. Haven’t seen them for a while,” Kuol said.
