Top Football in the Top End

Qantas Under 23s Head Coach Graham Arnold has selected thirty-three (33) players to participate in Pre-Olympic Games training camps on the Central Coast from the 17-22 June and in Darwin from the 23 June - 1 July 2008.

Qantas Under 23s squad named

Qantas Under 23s Head Coach Graham Arnold has selected thirty-three (33) players to participate in Pre-Olympic Games training camps on the Central Coast from the 17-22 June and in Darwin from the 23 June - 1 July 2008.

This will be the last chance for players to make a case for selection in the final squad of 18 that will head to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games which will be announced in early July.

As an important component of the training camp, the Qantas Under 23s will play two (2) friendly matches against the Chilean Under 23 National Team on Friday 27 June and Sunday 29 June at the Darwin Football Stadium.

"The selection of Darwin as the venue for this important training camp and matches underlines Football Federation Australia's commitment to growing football,” said FFA CEO Ben Buckley.

"Having already staged a successful Pre-Season Cup match between Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory in Darwin last year, these matches between the Qantas Under 23s and the Chilean Under 23 National team will again give Territorians an opportunity to see top quality football at a fantastic venue.

"We would also like to take this opportunity to extend our sincere gratitude to the Northern Territory Government and the Northern Territory Football Federation for there valued assistance in staging these events in Darwin," concluded Buckley.

Northern Territory Sports Minister Matthew Bonson was proud that the Northern Territory Government was supporting the Qantas Under 23s preparations for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

“Sport is an important part of our great lifestyle and the Territory Government is working hard to make it even better,” Mr Bonson said.

“We contributed nearly $40,000 to help deliver this great event for Territory families.

“And I hope Territory football lovers get behind these international match and get out there to support our national team,” concluded Bonson.

Speaking from Doha, Qantas Under 23s Head Coach Graham Arnold was also excited about the upcoming training camps and the selection job that lay ahead of him.

“The recent tournament in Malaysia proved to me that no player has a definite position in the final squad that will be going to the Olympic Games,” said Arnold.

"I'm very pleased with the way our preparations have progressed other the last few months and we now are very close to the start of the tournament.

“Some of the players named may be selected in the Socceroos squad for the match against China. If so, they will train with the senior team whilst we are on the Central Coast and we'll assess their situation on Sunday evening as to whether they will join us in Darwin the following week.

“For most of these players, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so it is now up to the individual players to prove to me that they deserve to represent their country at the Olympic Games,” concluded Arnold.

QANTAS UNDER 23s SQUAD LIST - CENTRAL COAST & DARWIN CAMPS 17 June - 1 July 2008

Nigel Boogaard (Central Coast Mariners), Mark Bridge (Sydney FC), Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Victory), Nathan Burns (Adelaide United), Billy Celeski (Melbourne Victory), Robert Cornthwaite (Adelaide United), Adam D'Apuzzo (Newcastle Jets), Bruce Djite (Gençlerbirligi, Turkey), Aaron Downes (Chesterfield, England), Tarek Elrich (Newcastle Jets), Troy Hearfield (Newcastle Jets), Jason Hoffman (Newcastle Jets), James Holland (Newcastle Jets), Neil Kilkenny (Leeds United), Mitchell Langerak (Melbourne Victory), Adrian Leijer (Fulham, England), Trent McClenahan (Hereford United, England), Mark Milligan (uncontracted), Stuart Musalik (Sydney FC), Chris O'Connor (Bray Wanderers, Ireland), Justin Pasfield (Wollongong Wolves), Nikita Rukavytsya (Perth Glory), Kristian Sarkies (Adelaide United), Matt Simon (Central Coast Mariners), Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Perth Glory), James Troisi (Uncontracted), Tando Velaphi (Perth Glory), Dario Vidosic (Nuremburg, Germany), Nick Ward (Melbourne Victory), David Williams (Brøndby IF, Denmark), Matthew Spiranovic (Nuremburg, Germany), Ruben Zadkovich (Derby County, England) and Michael Zullo (Queensland Roar).

Match Details:

Qantas Under 23s v Chile Under 23s Friday 27 June 2008 Kick-Off 7:00pm ACST (7:30pm AEST, 5:30pm AWST) Darwin Football Stadium, Darwin, Northern Territory

Qantas Under 23s v Chile Under 23s Sunday 29 June 2008 Kick-Off 5:00pm ACST (5:30pm AEST, 3:30pm AWST) Darwin Football Stadium, Darwin, Northern Territory

Ticketing details will be released next week.