Qantas Young Socceroos to take on Kiwi's
The Qantas Young Socceroos (u-20) will continue their preparations for the FIFA U-20 World Cup qualifiers later this year with a three-match series against New Zealand in Canberra next week.
The Qantas Young Socceroos (u-20) will continue their preparations for the FIFA U-20 World Cup qualifiers later this year with a three-match series against New Zealand in Canberra next week.
Qantas Young Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou has selected a 24-strong squad for the training matches which will be part of a 10-day camp at the Australian Institute of Sport. The squad features two players currently with Hyundai A-League clubs - Wade Oostendorp (Sydney FC) and Tarek Elrich (Newcastle Jets) - with the majority of players current AIS squad members.
Players unavailable due to injury or overseas commitments include last year's Qantas Joeys captain Kaz Patafta, striker David Williams who played for Queensland Roar in the latter stages of the Hyundai A-League season, Leicester City midfielder James Wesolowski, Scott Jamieson of Bolton Wanderers and AIS midfielder Cameron Watson who is also currently in Europe.
The Australian squad is:
Alex Vrteski (gk), 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 (pictured above - AIS/Marconi Stallions, NSW), Tarek Elrich (Newcastle Jets), Wade Oostendorp (Sydney FC), Jamie Cumming (Frankston Pines, Vic), Ben Kennedy (gk) (Broadmeadow Magic, NSW)
"The AFC Youth Championship is only five months away now and it is important that the team prepares as best as possible," said Qantas Young Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou. "These three matches will be very important as our preparations gather momentum and New Zealand will undoubtedly provide tough opposition and be a very good test for us."
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 match on Sunday 7 May will be a feature event as part of AIS Open Day being held to celebrate the AIS's 25th birthday.
New Zealand are currently preparing for next January's Oceania qualifiers and coach Stu Jacobs will bring a 20-man squad to Australia although he will be without the services of new Sydney FC signing Jeremy Brockie who is currently sidelined with a foot injury.
Australia defeated Sri Lanka and Turkmenistan in the preliminary matches in February to qualify for the AFC U-20 Championship to be played in India commencing during October and November. The top four teams at the 16-nation tournament will qualify for the 2007 FIFA youth tournament in Canada which has now been renamed the FIFA U-20 World Cup.