The victory ensures a berth in next year’s showpiece event in Turkey and pits the team against Iraq in Wednesday’s U19 AFC Championship semi-final clash in the United Arab Emirates.

Fulham’s Gameiro is on a four-month loan deal with FC Eindhoven in the Dutch second division and is hoping to take his scintillating international form with him with he returns to the UK in January.

It has been a breakthrough performance for the former Wollongong Wolves striker who made his NSW Premier League debut at just 15. He has notched up six goals in four games this tournament, including a last gasp campaign-saving equaliser against Saudi Arabia.

But the 19-year-old is quick to deflect attention onto the strong team spirit and the efforts of Okon who had limited time to meld players from Europe, UK and Australia into a winning unit.

“Paolo is a great coach,” Gameiro told au.fourfourtwo.com from his base in the UAE.

“He was a professional footballer, he’s got a lot of experience behind him so when he talks people listen, people take in what he’s saying, and he expresses it in a way we understand.

“We’re all very very excited. We’re going to the World Cup. We knew that’s what we had to do and it’s so good to be part of it because we’ve got too much talent not to be going to these tournaments.”

On the subject of the hat trick he added: “I’ve scored a few but not lately – not in a while – and definitely not at international level. I’ve never scored a hat-trick for Australia.

“It’s a very proud moment when you score for your country. Just to play for Australia and then to get a hat-trick is a very special moment and one that I’ll never forget.

“We don’t want to get carried away but we are quietly confident (for the rest of the tournament).”

Gameiro, who fired home in the 10th, 55th and 83rd minutes, jumped on twitter after Sunday’s win to express his elation: “Thank you to everyone for there (sic) support! Words can’t describe how I feel!! TURKEY, HERE WE COME!!”