Olyroos: Sydney FC’s Patrick Yazbek in AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifier squad

He’s been kicking a ball round since the age of three. Now his skill and passion has earned this rising football star from Sydney’s west a spot in the Olyroos.

It might seem strange but football rising star Patrick Yazbek may actually debut for Australia with the Olyroos before he gets onto the pitch in the A-League.

The talented midfielder from Liverpool in Sydney’s west has been named in the Australian squad to fly to Tajikistan this week for AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers and said he was “thrilled” to hear news of his selection.

But the Sydney FC Academy product, who hopes to make his A-league debut this season with the most successful club in the comp, is not getting carried away by the honour.

Young footballer Patrick Yazbek has been named in the Olyroos. Pic: Jamie Castaneda

“It’s a thrill, it’s pretty surreal. You work hard and as an athlete to achieve something like this is wonderful,” Yazbek told NewsLocal from Dubai.

“I just want to make a big impression, show what I am capable of if given the chance.

“I still feel like I have so much to achieve and learn.

“We live in the best country in the world and to represent my country would be surreal. It would be a dream.”

The former Clancy College student has been playing with the football since the age of three and joined his first club Austral to play under 6s.

Over the years he has been involved with Football NSW SAP, Sydney United, the Wanderers and now Sydney FC who have included him in their squad this season.

Young footballer Patrick Yazbek has always dreamt of playing for Australia. Pic: Jamie Castaneda

“I’ve been on the bench a couple of times but I’d love the opportunity to make my debut,’’ he said.

“I have always been a Sydney FC supporter and it would be incredible.’’

Yazbek and squad mates have been in a camp in Dubai ahead of their flight to Tajikistan where they will play Indonesia in two matches in a bid to advance to AFC U23 Asian Cup in Uzbekistan next year.

The 19-year-old said the heat has been high and strict Covid restrictions in place to limit the players contact with the outside worlds.

“It been such a great experience, meeting the boys and everything, learning so much,’’ he said.

Patrick Yazbek is a former NewsLocal Sport Star nominee.

Coach Trevor Morgan said the squad has been putting in good work ahead of the crucial qualifying matches.

“The squad we’ve selected for next week’s qualifiers casts a real eye to the future, with the core of the squad age-eligible to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in three years’ time,’’ Morgan said.

“The bulk of the players in the squad have already earned A-League men’s match minutes, and we believe that each player’s time within the national team environment this month will serve to complement his development.

Australia is scheduled to play Indonesia in Dushanbe on October 27 and October 30.

AUSTRALIAN OLYROOS SQUAD

Adisu Bayew, Zaydan Bello, Jordan Bos, Noah Botic, Lachlan Brook, Kai Calderbank-Park, Jordan Courtney-Perkins, Luke Duzel, Taras Gomulka, Jacob Italiano, Alessandro Lopane, Lewis Mauragis, Lewis Miller, Fabian Monge, Adam Pavlesic, Luka Prso, Nicholas Suman, Callum Talbot, Marc Tokich, Patrick Wood, Patrick Yazbek.

Read more from AMANDA LULHAM HERE

Originally published as Olyroos: Sydney FC’s Patrick Yazbek in AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifier squad