THE Olyroos have beaten Syria 3-1 in the first game of their AFC Championship campaign.

A delightful ball from Thomas Deng opened up an opportunity for Daniel De Silva, who cut the ball back to George Blackwood for the opening goal in the eighth minute.

Seven minutes later, Paul Izzo produced a superb save to deny Syria an equaliser.

In the 42nd minute, the Olyroos were able to bury another chance.

Once again, De Silva was involved. The Mariners star delivered a great ball to Milislav Popovic, who whipped in a fantastic cross to the unmarked Bruce Kamau, with the Melbourne City youngster heading home.

Bruce Kamau celebrates his goal. Source: FOX SPORTS

But just after half-time, Syria scored through an own goal, with Deng turning a cross into his own net.

In the 77th minute, Australia responded, with Trent Buhagiar’s pace allowing him to set up Blackwood to tap home.

While Izzo had to contend with some nervous moments late, he held firm, with the Olyroos able to record a 3-1 win.

These are the big talking points from the game

DE SILVA DAZZLES AS ROOS LEAD EARLY

FANS are running out of plaudits for Australian young gun Daniel De Silva.

Since returning to the A-League, the playmaker has made his mark with his smarts, speed, creativity and skill.

In the Olyroos’ first game of the AFC U23 Championship, De Silva showcased all the attributes that have Australian football excited about his future.

The young gun was involved in Australia’s first goal, showing great work ethic to get on the end of a delightful ball from Thomas Deng, before sliding it across to George Blackwood for a simple tap-in.

But his involvement in the second goal was even better.

The Olyroos celebrate a goal. Source: FOX SPORTS

De Silva spotted Milislav Popovic making a break down the left wing and hit up the forward with a pinpoint pass. Popovic then whipped in a brilliant corner for Bruce Kamau to head home.

“He’s getting himself into really great areas here de Silva,” former Socceroo Ned Zelic said on Fox Sports’ coverage.

“Finding those little pockets, really difficult to pick up.”

De Silva continued to create chances as the game wore on.

The confident midfielder even attempted an audacious no-look flick-on at one point, and was unlucky his teammates weren’t on the same wavelength.

It was yet another demonstration of his immense potential.

THE UNDERRATED BIG PERFORMANCES

FEW would have known much about Aleksandar Susnjar before this game.

They’ll probably know a bit more now.

The former Serbian U17 representative was named alongside Deng at the centre of defence and impressed with his smarts and strength on the ball.

Another player who earned a start was young midfielder Brandon Wilson.

The 20-year-old impressed in his role anchoring the Olyroos’ midfield, with his tenacity and skill also impressive.

The Olyroos also had plenty to like at either end of the field, with George Blackwood showing his composure to score two goals — even if one looked to be a mis-hit — while Izzo made a number of crucial saves to deny Syria.

George Blackwood celebrates his goal. Source: FOX SPORTS

OLYROOS’ NERVOUS MOMENTS AS SYRIA TURN UP THE HEAT

Time to give that old cliché a run. You know, the one about 2-0 being the most dangerous score in football?

It proved a veritable warning for the Olyroos.

Syria came out of the break rejuvenated and clearly out to prove a point.

Zelic summed up their approach: “Australia are taking a few risks in defence, let’s push a few men forward and try to put them under pressure.”

That attitude paid off in the 53rd minute, with a Syria counterattack ending in an own goal, Deng toe-poking the ball home as he attempted to defend Mohamad Rafat.

If one player epitomised the nervous moments, it was Deng, who sold Paul Izzo into trouble with some other nervous moments in the second half.

That said, the Melbourne Victory teenager had been one of his side’s finest performers in the first half with his composure on the ball at the centre of defence.

Ultimately, Australia’s nervous moments didn’t prove too costly, with George Blackwood’s second goal proving enough to deliver a 3-1 win.

“I thought it was a really good display in the first half,” Zelic said.

“After half time, certainly Australia had a few issues but have to give credit to Syria, they really came out firing after half time.”

George Blackwood after his goal. Source: FOX SPORTS

OLYROOS STARTING LINE-UP AGAINST SYRIA

1. Paul Izzo (GK), 2. Nicholas Cowburn, 5. Aleksandar Susnjar, 8. Stefan Mauk, 9. George Blackwood, 11. Bruce Kamau, 13. Milislav Popovic, 17. Brandon Wilson, 20. Thomas Deng, 22. Daniel De Silva, 23. Benjamin Garuccio

ULTIMATE GUIDE: Who, what, when, where

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WHO’S IN THE SQUAD?

Jonathan Aspropotamitis (Western Sydney), Keanu Baccus (Western Sydney), George Blackwood (Adelaide), Trent Buhagiar (Central Coast), Joseph Champness (Newcastle Jets), Nicholas Cowburn (Newcastle), Daniel De Silva (Central Coast), Thomas Deng (Melbourne Victory), Ben Garuccio (Adelaide), Alex Gersbach (Rosenborg, Norway), Thomas Glover (Central Coast), Ajdin Hrustic (Groningen, Netherlands), Paul Izzo (Adelaide), Deni Juric (Hajduk Split, Croatia), Bruce Kamau (Melbourne City), Stefan Mauk (Melbourne City), Riley McGree (Club Brugge, Belgium), Danijel Nizic (Morecambe, England), Aiden O’Neill (Burnley, England), Milislav Popovic (Eintracht Braunschweig, Germany), Aleksandar Susnjar (Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic), Ruon Tongyik (Melbourne City), Brandon Wilson (Perth Glory).

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