The mercurial forward suffered an injury in September last year, fracturing his fifth metatarsal, while on international duty with the Subway Young Socceroos in Spain.
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But despite his lack of first-team football recently, Bernardo’s quality is unquestionable, with Australia U-20 Head Coach Trevor Morgan naming him in the squad bound for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™ which begins on 1 March.
The Adelaide United talent, who featured for the Young Reds in the local NPL SA at the weekend, is determined to make up for lost time.
“It was obviously very frustrating,” Bernardo admitted about the injury to Football Australia Media.
“I’ve also missed half the season of the A-League and it’s obviously frustrating.
“But now that I’m getting back into it, and I’ve been called up for the Young Socceroos, it’s an honour to be representing Australia again and doing what I do for the country, and to be able to play in big tournaments.”
Despite being one of the younger players in the squad at the age of 18, Bernardo happens to have some of the most experience.
The attacker accumulated 26 appearances in all competitions for the Reds last year, scoring three goals and played in all three of the club’s Australia Cup 2022 games.
This is also not the first tournament Bernardo has experienced. He alongside Josh Rawlins were both involved for the Subway Olyroos at the AFC U-23 Asian Cup last year which incidentally was held in Uzbekistan.
That previous knowledge to draw upon is something Bernardo believes can only be beneficial nine months later.
“I mean, having played more senior matches in the A-League and also travelling with the Olyroos it gives you experience,” he explained.
“Like seeing the older boys coming down, playing in the Olyroos as well, the way they lead the games, the way they try to play.
“Obviously, senior experience helps out with everything in general, like game smarts.”
Australia have been pitted in a tough group containing Vietnam, Iran and Qatar.
While the Aussies will be going in with the mindset of winning the tournament, a semi-final appearance, or top-four finish, will secure qualification to the FIFA U-20 World Cup Indonesia 2023™ in May.
Bernardo, who has also represented the Subway Joeys at youth level, is confident they have the squad to fulfil their objectives.
“That’s always the goal to go through and qualify for the World Cup,” said Bernardo, son of Brazilian and former Reds defender, Cássio.
“Because that’s always the goal of the tournament, but we have a strong team and you know, a strong group of individuals in the squad that we can push through and qualify for the under 20 World Cup.”
All Subway Young Socceroos’ AFC U20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™ matches will be streamed live and free on 10 Play, with expert commentary by Teo Pellizzeri.
Subway Young Socceroos Match Schedule – AFC Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™
Time/Date
Match
Venue
3.00pm local, 1 March / 9.00pm AEDT, 1 March
Australia vs Vietnam
Istiqlol Stadium, Fergana, Uzbekistan
3.00pm local, 4 March / 9.00pm AEDT, 4 March
Australia vs Iran
Istiqlol Stadium, Fergana, Uzbekistan
3.00pm local, 7 March / 9.00pm AEDT, 7 March
Australia vs Qatar
JAR Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Subway Young Socceroos Squad | AFC Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™ | 1 – 18 March
Full Name
Position
Current Club (as at 8 Feb ‘23)
Junior Club / Member Federation / Country
Alexander BADOLATO
Midfielder
Western Sydney Wanderers FC
Sylvania Heights FC / Football New South Wales
Raphael BORGES RODRIGUES
Attacker
Melbourne City FC
Western Strikers SC / Football South Australia
Rhys BOZINOVSKI
Midfielder
Western United FC
Spring Hills Stallions FC / Football Victoria
Matthew DENCH
Defender
Charlton Athletic FC
ECU SC / Football West
Chris DONNELL
Defender
Perth Glory FC
Rockingham City FC / Scotland
Jed DREW
Attacker
Macarthur FC
Meltham Athletic FC / England
Joseph FORDE
Defender
Perth Glory FC
Forrestfield United SC / Football West
Jake GIRDWOOD-REICH
Midfielder
Sydney FC
Sydney Olympic FC / Football New South Wales
Archie GOODWIN
Attacker
Newcastle Jets FC
Cooks Hill United FC / Football Nothern New South Wales
Alessandro LOPANE
Midfielder
Western Sydney Wanderers FC
APIA Leichhardt FC / Football New South Wales
Panashe MADANHA
Defender
Adelaide United FC
Adelaide Olympic FC / Football South Australia
Kaelan MAJEKODUNMI
Defender
Perth Glory FC
Carramar Cougars Junior FC / Football West
James NIEUWENHUIZEN
Goalkeeper
Melbourne City FC
Goulburn Valley Suns FC / Football Victoria
Bernardo OLIVEIRA
Attacker
Adelaide United FC
Port Adelaide SC / Football South Australia
Gabriel POPOVIC
Attacker
NK Rudes
Sydney United 58 FC / Football New South Wales
Joshua RAWLINS
Defender
FC Utrecht
Dianella Junior SC / Football West
Jing REEC
Attacker
AGF Aarhus
Blacktown Workers FC / Football New South Wales
Alexander ROBINSON
Goalkeeper
Macarthur FC
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC / Football New South Wales
Adrian SEGECIC
Midfielder
Sydney FC
Lidcombe Waratah Junior SC / Football New South Wales
Aidan SIMMONS
Attacker
Western Sydney Wanderers FC
St George FA / Football New South Wales
Nectarios TRIANTIS
Defender
Central Coast Mariners FC
Canterbury Junior FC / Football New South Wales
Jack WARSHAWSKY
Goalkeeper
Western Sydney Wanderers FC
Buderim Wanderers FC / Football Queensland
Jonny YULL
Midfielder
Adelaide United FC
West Torrens Birkalla SC / Football South Australia
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