NSW Olyroos heading to AFC football U23 World Cup, Paris 2024 Olympics

Updated: NSW has confirmed itself as the hotbed of young football talent - and future Olympians - with 13 locals involved in the Olyroos booking a ticket to the Asian Cup.

More than a dozen NSW players from Sydney and surrounds have helped the Olyroos secured a ticket to next year’s AFC U23 Asian Cup in Uzbekistan.

Blues players completely dominated the squad in the matches against Indonesia with the Olyroos winning their first encounter against the Asian side on Wednesday night and their second on Saturday morning.

NSW gun Patrick Wood scored the winner in Uzbekistan as the Olyroos beat Indonesia 1-0 to finish on top of the Group G qualification standings.

Patrick Wood is one of the rising stars of the game and a key part of Sydney FC’s attack.

Sydney FC striker Wood scored with a neat finish from six yards just 10 minutes into the crucial match.

On Wednesday, the young Australians won their opener 3-2 with Wood scoring along with Jacob Italiano and Mark Tokich.

Of the 23 players in the squad, more than half are from NSW in a major tip to both junior clubs, teams and A-League Academies in the state.

Bulls player Mark Milligan competes for the ball against Patrick Wood of Sydney FC.

While the majority of the 13 footballers are based in Sydney’s west, two are from the

Northern Beaches in Lewis Miller and Wood.

Miller and Wood were named in the Olyroos while training in Dubai with the squad selected being geared towards the Olympic Games in three years in Paris

Miller, with the Central Coast Mariners, started his football career with Pittwater RSL FC.

Wood, with Sydney FC, is from the Collaroy Cromer Strikers.

Goalkeeper Nicholas Suman in action for the wanderers in 2019.

Their teammates from across NSW are Noah Botic from Hurstville ZFC, Kye Calderbank-Park from Unanderra Hearts FC, Alesandro Lopane from Apia Leichhardt FC, Lucas Mauragis from Merimbula Grasshoppers FC, Fabian Monge from Mount Prichard, Adam Pavlesic from Sydney United Juniors, Luke Prso from Castle Hill United, Nicholas Suman from Colo Cougars, Callum Talbot from Gymea United and Patrick Yazbek from Austral Soccer Club.

Midfielder Yazbek, striker Wood, fullback Talbot and goalkeeper Pavlesic are all Sydney FC Academy graduates.

Adam Le Fondre of Sydney FC competes with Lewis Miller of the Mariners.

Wood was just was just 14 when he joined the Sky Blues Academy with his selection his first taste of international football.

“I haven’t been involved in any national teams before so I’m pretty late on the scene and to be called up now is pretty awesome,’’ Wood said.

Pavlesic, also 19, has been with the Academy for six years after joining as a 13-year-old.

He has more international experience than his teammate, having played for Australia at the under 17s World Cup and making two appearances in the AFC Champions League.

Pablo Hernandez of Leeds competes for possession with Fabian Monge of the Wanderers back in 2019.

“You are always proud because you always want to play for your country when the chance arises,’’ said Pavlesic, who has earned his first Olyroos selection.

Talbot, 20, joined the Sky Blues Academy as a 14-year-old and has also been a member of the young Socceroos.

“Getting back into the national set up is great. We didn’t get the chance to be a part of the young Socceroos over the last two years due to the Covid pandemic,” he said.

Lopane is with the Western Sydney Wanderers, Botic is with Western United FC, Calderbank-Park is with Connah’s Quay FC in Wales, Mauragis is with the Newcastle Jet, Monge with Xanthi FC in Greece and Suman with Macarthur FC.

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Originally published as NSW Olyroos heading to AFC football U23 World Cup, Paris 2024 Olympics