Lopane carrying Olyroos experience into ‘surreal’ Asian Cup opportunity

Back in 2021, Alessandro Lopane received a shock call-up to represent the Australia U23's - despite being just 17 years of age. 

The call was from then-interim Olyroos Head Coach Trevor Morgan to join the squad which travelled to Tajikistan and defeated Indonesia over two legs to qualify for the AFC U23 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2022. 

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While Lopane did not travel to Uzbekistan for last year's tournament, he finds himself there now, preparing with Trevor Morgan's Subway Young Socceroos for the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2023. 

"When I got the call from Trevor that I was selected for that squad (in 2021), I couldn't even believe it," Lopane recalls. 

"I was over the moon, I couldn't thank the coaches enough for choosing me and believing in me to bring me across - it was a dream come true basically." 

After featuring in both of the Olyroos' qualification ties back in 2021, 2022 saw Lopane slot back into the U20 national team set-up, travelling to Spain for the Four Nations' Tournament, and Kuwait, as the side successfully qualified for the AFC U20 Asian Cup. 

Each camp offered a unique experience that the Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder is ready to utilise ahead of this month's tournament. 

"Whenever you go away to put the green and gold on, it's always a proud moment," he reflects. 

"There's a lot of stories from when we went away to Tajikistan, Spain and Kuwait, and hopefully we get the same successful outcome here in Uzbekistan within the 20s." 

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Ahead of next Wednesday's tournament-opening clash with Vietnam (9pm AEDT), the prospect of playing for a place at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup is still sinking in for Lopane. 

"It’s a bit surreal, to be honest," he said. "It's a good opportunity to show the world what I can do, and hopefully we do well and qualify for the World Cup - that's the main goal.

"I still can't believe it, it's such a good achievement and I'm really happy.

Playing football since I was three years old, just running around the house with the ball and stuff like that, you never think that you'll get to this stage like this. I'm just really excited and really happy and looking forward to getting out there." 

"It's every kid's dream to play in a World Cup for their country and with that chance I’ll put my body on the line for anything, just to get to that World Cup." 

All of the Subway Young Socceroos’ AFC U20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™ matches will be streamed live and free on 10 Play. The tournament's top-four nations - excluding Indonesia - will qualify for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which kicks off in May. 

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Subway Young Socceroos Match Schedule – AFC Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™

Subway Young Socceroos Squad | AFC Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™ | 1 – 18 March