Hyundai A-League Players Feature Against Jordan

The Qantas Under 23s squad will feature 17 Hyundai A-League playes in the 21-man squad for the their opening home Olympic qualifying group match match against Jordan next Wednesday at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide.

The Qantas Under 23s squad will feature 17 Hyundai A-League playes in the 21-man squad for the their opening home Olympic qualifying group match match against Jordan next Wednesday at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide.

Jason Naidovski of the AIS and former Qantas Young Socceroo Peter Eleftherakis of South Australian club Campbelltown City being notable inclusions.

Former Perth Glory midfielder Nick Ward, currently with English club Brighton & Hove Albion, is the only overseas based player in the squad.

“We have been working on securing overseas-based players and were unable to do so for this match, but we are hopeful of obtaining the likes of David Williams and others for the home match against Saudi Arabia later this month,” said Qantas Under 23s coach Rob Baan.

Fresh from their recent scoreless draw against Iran in Tehran , the Qantas Under 23s will look for a positive home result in their bid to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Unfortunately, a number of players will be unavailable through injury including Newcastle Jets midfielder Stuart Musialik (shoulder), Sydney FC defender Ruben Zadkovich (toe), Queensland Roar midfielder Spase Dilevski (ankle), Perth Glory midfielder David Micevski (hamstring) and English-based defender Trent McClenahan (shoulder) of Hereford United. Also unavailable are striker Dario Vidosic who is trialing with German Bundesliga club Nuremberg, as well as defender Steven O-Dor who has University commitments.

The 21-man squad for the match against Jordan on March 14 is:

Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Victory), Mark Bridge (Newcastle Jets), Nathan Burns (Adelaide United), Adam Casey (Sydney FC), Billy Celeski (Perth Glory), Robert Cornthwaite (Adelaide United), Adam D'Apuzzo (Newcastle Jets), Bruce Djite (Adelaide United), Peter Eleftherakis (Campbelltown City, SA), Ben Griffin (Queensland Roar), Troy Hearfield (Newcastle Jets), Ben Kennedy (Newcastle Jets), Vince Lia (Melbourne Victory), Adrian Leijer (Melbourne Victory), Mark Milligan (Sydney FC), Jason Naidovski (AIS), Kristian Sarkies (Melbourne Victory), Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Sydney FC), Tando Velaphi (Perth SC, WA), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners), Nick Ward (Brighton & Hove Albion, England).

Group D consists of Australia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Jordan and will conclude on June 6.

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.

Ticket Details:-

All sales are via VenueTix from 9am (ACDT) Thursday 8 March

Ph - 08 8225 8888

Web - www.venuetix.com.au

All Tickets

Adult - $10.00 Child/Concession - $5.00 Family - $20.00

Fixtures:- 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