Ebbsfleet goalkeeper Jordan Holmes will be bouncing back into Stonebridge Road after helping Australia’s U23s lift the Dazu Cup in China.
Fleet’s stopper helped the Olyroos win all three of their tour matches ahead of qualification rounds for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The Olyroos blasted goals past China in the opener, winning 5-1, and proceeded to beat North Korea 4-0 and Lithuania 1-0 this week.
The 22-year-old, who missed Fleet’s 2-2 draw with Hartlepool United on Saturday, lined up in an Australian squad alongside players from a host of clubs around the world including Aarhus, Borussia Monchengladbach, Hajduk Split, Ipswich Town and Panathinaikos.
The Australian U23 side were in China ahead of the 2020 Asian U23 Championship in January.
Check out all four goals from Australia U-23’s 4-0 win over DPR Korea in China. #GoAustralia pic.twitter.com/rs40knC42I
— Caltex Socceroos (@Socceroos) November 18, 2019
Hosted by Thailand, the 16-team tournament decides the three Asian/Oceania teams who will play at the Olympic football tournament next year. Holmes is looking to cement his place in the side for games against Thailand, Iraq and Bahrain.
To reach Tokyo, Australia must finish in the top three nations. A finish in the final four of the competition would be sufficient for the Aussies to seal a ticket to Tokyo should Japan make the semi-finals.
Holmes signed a permanent contract with the Fleet in September to keep him at the club until the end of the season after leaving Bournemouth in the summer.
The stopper, who initially signed on a short-term basis, put in a number of strong performances after making his debut against Notts County following loan spells with Eastbourne Borough, Weymouth and St Mirren.
Images courtesy of ebbsfleetunited.co.uk & YouTube/FFA
