Australia U-23's qualify for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

The Australia U-23 men's national football team are heading to the Olympic Games for the first time since 2008 after qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 edition on Saturday. 

Going into the AFC U-23 Championship third-place play-off needing victory to qualify, Graham Arnold's side came out on top in a tense 1-0 win over Uzbekistan U-23's. 

Nicholas D'Agostino was the hero, with his 47th minute goal proving to be the winner in a match which also saw Uzbekistan play the final half-hour a man down following a straight red card. 

In an incredibly tight affair, it was Uzbekistan who had the edge after the first 45 minutes, but the scores remained 0-0 heading into the break. 

However, a change at half-time for Australia - with Denis Genreau replacing his Melbourne City teammate Ramy Najjarine - paid dividends almost immediately, with the U-23's taking the lead two minutes into the second period. 

Nicholas D'Agostino glided his way past the Uzbekistan defence, before unleashing a perfectly-placed shot into the bottom corner of the goal - his third strike of the tournament.

Australia looked a different side in the second half, and a red card to Oybek Bozarov gave Arnold's side an extra sense of belief that this was going to be their day. 

The team held strong, and as the game went on, it appeared more and more in Australia's control. 

The final whistle confirming Australia's place at the men's Olympic football tournament for the first time since Beijing 12 years ago.