Duo bolster Under 23's squad
The Qantas Under 23s squad for next week’s important match against Saudi Arabia in Damman has been bolstered by the inclusion of 19-year-old striker James Troisi of English Premier League club Newcastle United, plus the return from injury of influential midfielder Stuart Musialik of Hyundai A-League club Newcastle Jets.
The Qantas Under 23s squad for next week-s important match against Saudi Arabia in Damman has been bolstered by the inclusion of 19-year-old striker James Troisi of English Premier League club Newcastle United, plus the return from injury of influential midfielder Stuart Musialik of Hyundai A-League club Newcastle Jets.
Adelaide-raised Troisi has yet to appear for Australia at any level having sat on the bench for Newcastle United on a number of occasions this season. Musialik returns to the fold having recovered from a shoulder injury that forced him to miss all three group matches to date after starting in the preliminary qualifying matches against Chinese Taipei in February.
Also recalled to the squad is former Qantas Young Socceroo defender Peter Eleftherakis of South Australian club Campbelltown City.
Australia currently lie one point behind Group D leaders Saudi Arabia despite winning 2-0 against the same opponent a fortnight ago. With three of the six rounds played Saudi Arabia are on 6 points, Australia on five with Iran and Jordan both on two points.
Four players with Asian Champions League commitments - Adelaide United-s Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite plus Sydney FC-s Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Ruben Zadkovich - will join the squad on Thursday following Wednesday-s round of matches. Australian captain Mark Milligan has traveled with the squad with suspension ruling him out of Sydney FC-s match in Indonesia on Wednesday. The squad will be based in the United Arab Emirates capital Abu Dhabi from today before traveling on Monday to Damman in Saudi Arabia for the match on the Wednesday.
The 20-man squad for the match against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday 18 April is:
Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Victory), Mark Bridge (Newcastle Jets), Nathan Burns (Adelaide United), Adam D'Apuzzo (Newcastle Jets), Bruce Djite (Adelaide United), Peter Eleftherakis (Campbelltown City, SA), Ben Griffin (Queensland Roar), Troy Hearfield (Newcastle Jets), Vince Lia (Melbourne Victory), Adrian Leijer (Melbourne Victory), Mark Milligan (Sydney FC), Stuart Musialik (Newcastle Jets), Jason Naidovski (AIS), Kristian Sarkies (Adelaide United), Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Sydney FC), James Troisi (Newcastle United, England), Tando Velaphi (Perth Glory), Dario Vidosic (Queensland Roar), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners), Ruben Zadkovich (Sydney FC)
Australia will play their final home group match at Adelaide-s Hindmarsh Stadium on May 16 against Iran.
The top two teams will progress to the third and final stage of qualifying, where 12 nations will be split into three groups.
The third stage will be held from August 22 - November 21, with only the three group winners representing Asia at the Beijing Olympic Games.
Fixtures:- Round 2 - Match Day 1 - (Away) Wednesday 28 February 2007 Iran v Australia 0-0 Tehran
Round 2 - Match Day 2 - (Home) Wednesday 14 March 2007 Australia v Jordan 1-1 Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Round 2 - Match Day 3 - (Home) Wednesday 28 March 2007 Australia v Saudi Arabia 2-0 Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Round 2 - Match Day 4 - (Away) Wednesday 18 April 2007 Saudi Arabia v Australia Damman
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