FOOTBALL: The Australian men's under-23 team have got their Rio 2016 qualifying campaign off to a strong start and are two steps closer to the AFC U-23 Championships, which will be the final qualifier for Rio 2016.

The side recorded a 4-0 victory against Chinese Taipei in their second qualifier on Sunday night following an opening win against Hong Kong 6-0.

Against Chinese Taipei Aurelio's Vidmar's side scored two goals in each half to see off resistance from their Group F hosts and will now play Myanmar on Tuesday for top spot.

The AFC U-23 Championship, which will be played in Qatar in 2016, doubles as the qualification tournament for the 2016 Olympic Games, with the top three ranked teams stamping their ticket for Brazil.

Former Newcastle Jets stars Josh Brillante and Adam Taggart both scored in the opening period against Chinese Taipei, with Wanderers' Jaushua Sotirio and Liverpool's Brad Smith finding the back of the net after the break.

Playing on a bare pitch at the National Stadium in Kaohsiung the Olyroos managed to control possession throughout the contest, with Brillante getting on the end of an 18-pass play to open the scoring.

Fulham striker Adam Taggart doubled the advantage just before half-time as he seeks to get some valuable match fitness in his return from a hamstring strain.

Western Sydney's 19-year-old winger Sotirio put Australia three up with a delightful long range strike busting the back of the net from 25 yards.

Brad Smith completed the scoring, becoming the seventh different scorer for the Australians in qualification, when he tucked home a neat cut back from close range after coming off the bench.

The result sees the Australians level on points with Tuesday's opposition Myanmar but with a superior goal difference after they hung on for a 2-1 win against Hong Kong.
The group winners are guaranteed a place at next year's tournament in Qatar, where the top three teams will qualify for the Rio Olympics.

There was a distinct A-League flavour to the scoresheet against Hong Kong. Perth Glory striker Jamie Maclaren claiming a hat-trick and Melbourne Victory forward Connor Pain banking a brace. German-based Mustafa Amini was the other goal scorer for the Aussies, firing in a spectacular left-footed volley from outside the box to notch the game’s opener.

The Australian squad for AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers - Group F

Football Australia