Qantas Young Socceroos dealt challenging draw
The Qantas Young Socceroos (U-20) have been dealt a challenging draw for the AFC Youth Championship in India later this year, having been matched with traditional Asian powerhouse China, 2003 nemesis United Arab Emirates as well as Thailand in Group B of the 16-nation tournament.
The Qantas Young Socceroos (U-20) have been dealt a challenging draw for the AFC Youth Championship in India later this year, having been matched with traditional Asian powerhouse China, 2003 nemesis United Arab Emirates as well as Thailand in Group B of the 16-nation tournament.
Australia will need to reach the semi finals of the competition to qualify for the newly renamed 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup to be held in Canada, with four nations set to represent Asia. The top two teams in each group will qualify for the quarter finals with Group B teams to meet Group A teams. Group A features Korea Republic, India, Kyrgyzstan and Jordan.
The Qantas Young Socceroos qualified for their debut appearance at the AFC Youth Championship after overcoming Turkmenistan and host nation Sri Lanka in the preliminary qualifiers in February.
“We will have to be well prepared for this tournament with the group stage itself a significant challenge for us,” said Qantas Young Socceroo coach Ange Postecoglou.
“China always produced teams that are well organized and difficult to beat; the UAE will have technically gifted and talented players while Thailand are a fast developing football nation.
“The runner up in our group may well face the Korea Republic in the quarter finals which itself is evidence of the quality of Asian competition. This level of football is one of the many benefits in joining Asia and can only be of assistance in developing the team and the players.”
The Qantas Young Socceroos have yet to meet China or Thailand in tournament competition, however were knocked out of the 2003 World Championship by host nation United Arab Emirates in the second round.
Australia-s group matches will be played at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, while Bangalore will be the other city hosting matches during the 15-day tournament.
Australia-s match schedule is:
v China Mon 30 October, 4pm (9.30pm AET)
v Thailand Wed 1 Nov, 4pm (9.30pm AET)
v United Arab Emirates Fri 3 Nov, 3pm (8.30pm AET)
Quarter Finals, Kolkata Mon 6 Nov, 4pm or 7pm local time
Semi finals, Kolkata Thurs 9 Nov, 4pm or 7pm local time
3rd/4th playoff and Final Sun 12 Nov, 4pm and 7pm local time
Meanwhile, the Qantas Young Socceroos (U-20) have gathered in Canberra for a 10-day camp with the first of three matches against New Zealand being played tomorrow. Entry to all matches is free with the match on Sunday 7 May being a feature event as part of AIS Open Day celebrating the AIS's 25th birthday.
Qantas Young Socceroos v New Zealand U-20 Thursday 4 May, 5pm
Qantas Young Socceroos v New Zealand U-20 Sunday 7 May, 11am
Qantas Young Socceroos v New Zealand U-20 Wednesday 10 May, 5pm All matches to be played at the AIS Athletic Track.
The Australian squad is: Aleks Vrteski (gk) (Perth Glory/AIS), Tando Velaphi (gk), Michael Marrone, Peter Eleftherakis, Matthew Spiranovic, Shaun Ontong, James Downey, Troy Hearfield, Greg King, Chris Grossman, Dario Vidosic, Foad Comandari, Evan Berger, Stephen O-dor, Christopher Nunes, Nikita Rukavtysa, Joel Allwright, Robbie Kruse, Blake Charity (all AIS), Bruce Djite (AIS/Marconi Stallions, NSW), Tarek Elrich (Newcastle Jets), Wade Oostendorp (Sydney FC), Jamie Cumming (Frankston Pines, Vic), Ben Kennedy (gk) (Broadmeadow Magic, NSW)