After a barnstorming start to the Hyundai A-League season for the Sky Blues, Brandon O’Neill’s club form was recognised on the international stage as he made his international debut for the Australia U-23’s on Sunday.
Playing against Vietnam in the Men’s Olympic Asian Qualifiers, O’Neill completed the full 90 minutes in a 2-0 Australia victory and the midfielder from Perth said he was proud to make his debut while saying he felt at home in the squad.
“I couldn’t be prouder of representing my country and doing my bit,” O’Neill said.
“I really enjoyed myself which was a massive thing and it was good to get the three points.
“It was like a training aspect, I knew the players and I know them from previous times how they want to play and I just thought if I kept it simple, moved the ball quickly and played the ball forward that I’d be ok.
“The win was brilliant, we had a plan, we knew we had to win which was the big thing and it was just very pleasing that we could get two good goals, play some good football and get the three points.”
With one win and one loss in their group stage the Olyroos final group stage match against Jordan is a ‘must win’, however O’Neill said he’s confident the Olyroos can progress through their group and deep into the tournament.
“In the UAE game we looked at times like we didn’t want to get on the ball and didn’t want to play passes forward but from minute one to 90 we were at them [Vietnam],” he said.
“We played forward and we showed a bit of Aussie spirit where it was lacking in the first game.
“If we can carry the form from this Vietnam game into the Jordan game and be really confident and play to how Viddy [Head Coach Aurelio Vidmar] wants us to play and show a bit of Aussie spirit again I think we’ll be fine and I think we can get through this group.
“It’s another must win game against Jordan and all the lads are really looking forward to it and we can’t wait to get back out there.”
The Olyroos are next in action against Jordan on Wednesday, 20 January (Thursday, 21 January Australian time) kick off 3.30am AEDT.
