Baan bolsters Qantas U23's squad for Iran clash

Three European based players have been included in the Qantas Under 23s squad for their crucial Olympic opening Group D qualifying match against Iran in Tehran next Wednesday.

Three European based players have been included in the Qantas Under 23s squad for their crucial Olympic opening Group D qualifying match against Iran in Tehran next Wednesday.

Former Perth Glory midfielder and 2005/06 Hyundai A-League Rising Star award winner Nick Ward, 2005 Qantas Young Socceroos co-captain and defender Trent McClenahan, plus Danish-based striker David Williams have all been included in the 20-strong squad.

Unavailable through injury are Sydney FC defender Ruben Zadkovich (toe) and Queensland Roar midfielder Spase Dilevski (ankle), both of whom featured prominently in the preliminary qualifying series win over Chinese Taipei earlier this month.

Australia-s win over Chinese Taipei saw the team progress to Group D in the second stage of qualifying alongside Iran, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Stage 2 will run through February 28 - June 6.

The second stage of qualifying features six groups of four teams with the top two teams qualifying for the third and final stage of qualifying.

The final home and away round of 12 teams will be held from August 22 - November 21, with only the three group winners representing Asia at the Beijing Olympic Games.

The squad are currently preparing in Dubai for Wednesday-s match in Tehran.

The Qantas Under 23s for the match against Iran is:

Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Victory), Mark Bridge (Newcastle Jets), Nathan Burns (Adelaide United), Robert Cornthwaite (Adelaide United), Adam D'Apuzzo (Newcastle Jets), Bruce Djite (Adelaide United), Ben Griffin (Queensland Roar), Troy Hearfield (Newcastle Jets), Vince Lia (Melbourne Victory), Adrian Leijer (Melbourne Victory), Trent McClenahan (Hereford United, England), Mark Milligan (Sydney FC), Stuart Musialik (Newcastle Jets), Kristian Sarkies (Melbourne Victory), Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Sydney FC), Tando Velaphi (Perth SC), Dario Vidosic (Queensland Roar), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners), Nick Ward (Brighton & Hove Albion, on loan from QPR, England), David Williams (Brondby, Denmark)

The Qantas Under 23s played matches earlier this week against a Hong Kong Select XI and China Under 23s as part of the Lunar New Year Cup in Hong Kong.

Round 2 - Match Day 1 - (Away) Wednesday 28 February 2007 Iran v Australia Tehran

Round 2 - Match Day 2 - (Home) Wednesday 14 March 2007 Australia v Jordan Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide

Round 2 - Match Day 3 - (Home) Wednesday 28 March 2007 Australia v Saudi Arabia Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide

Round 2 - Match Day 4 - (Away) Wednesday 18 April 2007 Saudi Arabia v Australia Venue to be confirmed

Round 2 - Match Day 5 - (Home) Wednesday 16 May 2007 Australia v Iran Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide

Round 2 - Match Day 6 - (Away) Wednesday 6 June 2007 Jordan v Australia Venue to be confirmed

Click on the following link for more information on the Qantas Under 23s, including player profiles: http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/default.aspx?s=aus_mensu23s