Jordan Bos produces promising display on starting debut

Making his full Subway Socceroos debut, defender Jordan Bos appeared right at home delivering an assured display beyond his years against the reigning World Champions.

Australia succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at Beijing's Workers' Stadium on Thursday night but there were several bright spots in a match which the Green and Gold gradually grew into after conceding inside 90 seconds.

It was arguably the greatest player of all time who opened the scoring just like in did in Qatar six months ago. 

A soft turnover eventually led to the ball at Lionel Messi's feet and he duly capitalised, bending a curling shot into the back of the net to score his fastest ever goal in an Argentinian shirt.

But despite falling behind, Graham Arnold's men played their way back into the contest and a player prominently involved in the attacking forays forward in the first half was Bos.

The 20-year-old was asked if he felt at home to following the match and while pleased, a self-critical Bos felt he could have been better in the second half.

"I think so," he claimed to Football Australia Media. "Especially the first half maybe not so much the second half but yeah, definitely great experience playing the world champions and yeah, obviously just getting out there and making my starting debut.

Over 68,000 fans packed the venue in what was largely a partisan Messi crowd, and Bos admitted the occasion was something he will use to continue developing.

"Obviously (it was) hard work, tough conditions, but just so much to learn from it," he said.

"Great experience and yeah, it was it was just amazing."

The dynamic left-back also revealed the words of encouragement Arnold provided him before the clash which helped placate any nerves.

"He just said do your thing," he said.

"Obviously, you know, defensive tactics and all the tactics surrounding the game, but just mostly just do your thing and just enjoy it."

That license to play with freedom was palpable when venturing forward and the ex-Melbourne City man created the Aussie's best chance of the game via an in-swinging cross which saw Mitch Duke's volley denied by Emiliano Martinez.

"I just cut it in and I saw Dukey making a run," he explained.

"So I just try to put it on a platter for him and unfortunately it didn't go in."

It has been a big month for the prodigious talent having sealed a recording-setting move to Belgian Pro League outfit KVC Westerlo on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

While the sum was not shared publicly it is reported to have surpassed the previous Australian transfer record involving an Australian club set in 1995 by Zeljko Kalac.

He was also named the A-League Men's Young Footballer of the Year for an outstanding 2022/23 campaign with City, registering two goals and three assists.

"Especially coming off the season that I've had, I think, confidence is high and when when you have that it's easy to play," he said.

"And especially when you're surrounded by such a class group of boys."