Victorian defender starred as the Subway Joeys opened their AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers campaign in emphatic fashion.
The Joeys defeated Northern Mariana Islands 23-0 at Shepparton Sport City Precinct on Wednesday night to sit on top of Group G after matchday one.
Melbourne City youth player Peter Antoniou scored two goals in the mammoth victory in front of family and friends.
“I have family in Shepparton so it’s a great opportunity for them to come down and to get the win,” Antoniou told the Football Australia website prior to the match.
The Victorian prospect said his mother was elated when she received the news of his selection in the Subway Joeys squad.
“She came running down the stairs (when she received the email),” he said.
“She was pretty wrapped.”
“It is an absolute honour to represent your country.”
Antoniou said the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers presents a “massive opportunity” for him to showcase his skills and what he can do.
“We have been pretty hard here for a week and played some practice games and hopefully we can showcase what we are made of here in Australia,” he said.
The young defender hopes to emulate former Melbourne City defender Nathaniel Atkinson.
“I like to watch Nathaniel, I am trying to mould my game around him,” he said.
“Going through the system at the Bulleen Lions I watched the big stars on the biggest stage in the world and I just realised that’s my dream, that’s what I want to do.”
Australia will face a sterner test on Friday night when they come up against Cambodia.
Only top spot in Group G will guarantee a place at next year's AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023™ in Kuwait, with only the five highest-ranked second-placed sides joining them at the tournament.