Australia has got off to an excellent start on the qualifying path for the World Youth Cup, with a resounding 16-0 win over Samoa, in the first round of Group 2 Oceania Qualifiers in the Cook Islands.
Striker Scott McDonald bagged five for the day, with midfielder Michael Ferrante chipping in with a hat-trick, and doubles to Nick Carle and Luke Wilkshire.
Captain Ljubo Milicevic got the scoring underway in the 12th minute, with Greg Owens on the board three minutes later, and McDonald bagging the first of his five in the 28th minute.
The LG Young Socceroos led 6-0 at the half-time break, and McDonald again got the scoring started in the second half with his fourth goal in the 52nd minute, with Australia's eighth added just a minute later, Ferrante notching up his second with a 25 metre effort which chipped the keeper.
Australia continued to clock up the goals, with second half replacements Luke Wilkshire and Kevo Gulesserian both scoring in the final minutes to wrap up the game.
"I was expecting the match to be a little closer, but our effort was good, especially in the second half, and it was pleasing to get that many in the first outing," said coach Ange Postecoglou after the game.
"We took a little while to get into the swing of things in the first half, but once the boys found their rhythm, they slowly but surely got on top of the opposition, and then put the pedal down in the second half.
"Scott McDonald did well, he was in the right spots at the right time and the combination of McDonald and Nick Carle worked very well, they were up against a backline which was sitting back, and they worked hard.
"Overall I was pleased with everyone, the defence didn't have that much to do, but they started off all the moves with Ljubo leading well, the midfield worked hard particularly in the second half, and the team effort was a 90 minute one, which was important." he concluded.