Roar winger Brandon Borrello wants Olympic redemption after missing under-20 World Cup

STILL haunted by Australia’s failure to reach this year’s FIFA under-20 World Cup, Brisbane Roar winger Brandon Borrello wants Olympic Games redemption.

Brisbane Roars Brandon Borrello pictured here during training this morning. 30/12/2015. Pictures: Jack Tran

STILL haunted by Australia’s failure to reach this year’s FIFA under-20 World Cup, Brisbane Roar winger Brandon Borrello wants Olympic Games redemption.

Borrello and his Brisbane teammates Jamie Maclaren and James Donachie switch to Olyroos mode after the Roar’s A-League clash with Perth Glory at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.

Australia must finish in the top three at next month’s AFC under-23 championships in Qatar to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

Borrello is desperate to avoid a repeat of last year’s AFC under-19 championships in Myanmar, where he was part of the Australian squad that failed to finish in the top four, which was the requirement to go to the 2015 under-20 World Cup in New Zealand.

“I was bitterly disappointed with myself for not helping the team cross the line and qualify for the under-20s (World Cup),” Borrello said.

“It’d mean a lot (to qualify for the Olympics). My dream as a young child was always to play for my nation. To have the opportunity to potentially play in the Olympics, that would be great.”

Brisbane Roars Brandon Borrello during training. Pictures: Jack Tran

Last week’s Olyroos selection was the start of a few good days for Borrello.

Restored to the Brisbane starting team after a few weeks in the wilderness, he responded with a goal — his fifth of the season — in the Roar’s 3-1 home win over Melbourne City last Sunday.

“The boss challenged me ... I think I’ve answered him,” Borrello said of his reaction to being dropped by Roar coach John Aloisi.

“What he’s done (has been) a world of good for me. I’ve regathered the last couple of weeks and I gave the team a good performance and that’s all I could do.

“For me I have to do what’s right for the team and if that meant leaving me out and letting me regather my thoughts, it’s paid off.”

Borrello said he had distanced himself from speculation about his future.

Off contract at the end of the season, the South Australian product is yet sign a new Brisbane deal as talks continue between his agent John Grimaud and Roar officials.

“I’m trying to position myself far away from that because I don’t want to be taken away from the great season the team’s having at the moment,” he said.

The second-placed Roar are chasing a fourth-straight win on Saturday.

It’s the second time Brisbane have hosted Perth this season, with the Roar prevailing 1-0 when the teams met on November 15.

Originally published as Roar winger Brandon Borrello wants Olympic redemption after missing under-20 World Cup