The Australia Under-23 Olympic team won their second and final game of their European camp in a friendly match against Waldhof Mannheim, played in Bitburg, Germany overnight.
Despite playing against the first team of a fully-professional German Bundesliga 2nd Division side, the Olyroosı dominated the game to secure a well-deserved 1-0 win.
Coach Frank Farina was delighted with his team's performance in what was a marked improvement on the side's opening match when they lost 5-3 to Bayer Leverkusen. Farina was particular happy that the week in camp had proven fruitful - a fact borne out by the impressive short passing game and improved teamwork displayed by the Aussies.
Australia started strongly from the opening whistle with the best chance of the first half falling to Brett Holman but his shot was well saved by the opposition goalkeeper.
Australia continued to dominate throughout the second half, to the extent that Aussie goalkeeper, Jess Kedwell-Vanstratten was a virtual spectator for lengthy periods. The young Australian side created a number of chances with Nick Carle, Luke Wilkshire and Mark Tsoilas, whose free-kick struck the post, all narrowly failing to score. Finally on the 80th minute came the breakthrough when Luke Wilkshire's shot was deflected into the path of Nick Carle whose perfectly struck volley gave the goalkeeper no chance.
The match concludes the first European-based camp as the Australian Under-23's continue their build up to the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.