Match Report
Super sub Al Hassan Toure struck an extra-time winner as Australia U-23 moved within one win of their first Olympic Games in 12 years.
A 101st-minute effort from the Adelaide United forward earned the Green and Gold a 1-0 win against Syria as Graham Arnold’s side advanced to the final four of the AFC U-23 Championship.
Toure surged behind the Syrian defence to connect with Aidan O’Neill’s defence-splitting pass and added a clinical finish to edge Australia ahead, in what turned out to be the decisive goal.
Australia play their the semi-final on Wednesday 22, January against the victor of the quarter final match between Korea Republic and Jordan, which is played on Sunday evening AEDT.
The two finalists the of competition, held in Thailand, will book their place to the 2020 Olympic Games and the winner of the third-place playoff will join them in Tokyo, along with host nation Japan.
Australia missed out on qualifying for the London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016 Games, last competing in Beijing in 2008.
NEWS: Australia U-23 gelling game by game says Piscopo
MORE: Mourdoukoutas relishing morale and mindset in Australian camp
