Djite calls for vocal home support

Qantas Under 23s and Adelaide United striker Bruce Djite has called upon local sports fans to get behind the Australian team in their quest for qualification for the Beijing Olympics.

Qantas Under 23s and Adelaide United striker Bruce Djite has called upon local sports fans to get behind the Australian team in their quest for qualification for the Beijing Olympics.

Australia will meet Iran at Hindmarsh Stadium tomorrow night where a win will all but ensure the team progress to the third and final stage of qualifying which commences in August.

In the penultimate round of matches Saudi Arabia are on top of the group of nine points, ahead of both Iran (goal difference 3-1) and Australia on five points (4-3), with Jordan on two points.

“In our last match the Saudi-s went down 1-0 at half time but their crowd really helped them to lift and were pretty much their twelve man and would be great if the Adelaide fans could do the same for us,” said Djite.

“You could see after Saudi Arabia scored the equalizer in that match they really started to believe in themselves and you could see that in the way they were playing. Perhaps if the crowd wasn-t so vocal and supportive maybe the result would have been different.”

“We were lucky enough when we played at Hindmarsh in the last game that we had a vocal crowd and that helped us over the line with the two late goals we scored.”

Australia and Iran drew 0-0 in Tehran when the two teams met in the opening group match in February.

In other news, Newcastle Jets midfielder Stuart Musialik will miss the match with a hip injury but is expected to be available for selection for the final group against Jordan in Amman on June 6. Defender Peter Eleftherakis of South Australian club Campbelltown City will come into the squad for the match.

Australia v Iran

Wednesday 16 May - Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide

Kick-off 7pm local time (Gates Open 5.30pm)

Web:

The Football Federation Australia will have regular live updates throughout the match - www.footballaustralia.com.au

Ticket Details:-

All sales are via VenueTix or at the venue on match day.

Ph - 08 8225 8888

Web - www.venuetix.com.au

All Tickets

Adult - $10.00

Child/Concession - $5.00

Family - $20.00

The top two teams will progress to the third and final stage of qualifying, where the remaining 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 2-1 Dammam City

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 Aman

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