FFA names squad for AFC U-22 Championships

Football Federation Australia has named a 23-man squad to take part in the AFC U-22 Championships in Oman, from 11-26 January 2014.

Football Federation Australia has named a 23-man squad to take part in the AFC U-22 Championships in Oman, from 11-26 January 2014.

The squad consists of 18 players from the Hyundai A-League as well as five overseas-based players with coach Aurelio Vidmar naming the squad with a view to starting preparations for the 2016 Olympic Games cycle.

“This tournament is the ideal platform to start our preparations for the 2016 Olympic Games,” Vidmar said. “It is an U-22 tournament but we have selected players who will be eligible for the 2016 Olympics and start exposing them to international competition in the lead up to the qualifiers.

“We are excited about the squad we-ve put together with a good mix of boys making an impact in the Hyundai A-League and also playing overseas and it will be good to get them together in a string group at what will be a good competition.”

Australia has been drawn in Group C where they will meet Japan, Iran and Kuwait with the top two teams progressing to the quarter finals of the tournament.

Australia-s matches: Sun 12 Jan Australia v Kuwait Royal Oman Police Stadium 5pm (Midnight AEDT) Tue 14 Jan Iran v Australia Royal Oman Police Stadium 5pm (Midnight AEDT) Thu 16 Jan Australia v Japan Royal Oman Police Stadium 5pm (Midnight AEDT) Mon 20 Jan Possible quarter finals Thu 23 Jan Possible semi finals Sat 25 Jan 3rd v 4th playoff Sun 26 Jan Tournament Final

Australian Squad for the AFC U-22 Championships in Oman, from 11-26 January 2014: Aaron Lennox (Gk) QPR, England Jason Geria Melbourne Victory, Australia Curtis Good Newcastle United, England Connor Chapman Newcastle Jets, Australia Corey Brown Brisbane Roar, Australia Joshua Brillante Newcastle Jets, Australia Stefan Mauk Melbourne Heart, Australia Ryan Edwards Perth Glory, Australia Dylan Tombides West Ham United, England Adam Taggart Newcastle Jets, Australia Connor Pain Melbourne Victory, Australia Jack Duncan (Gk) Perth Glory, Australia Scott Galloway Melbourne Victory, Australia Nicholas Ansell Melbourne Victory, Australia David Vrankovic Melbourne Heart, Australia Reece Caira Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand Jake Barker-Daish Adelaide United, Australia John Hall (Gk) Adelaide United, Australia Hagi Gligor Sydney FC, Australia Chris Ikonomidis SS Lazio, Italy Andrew Hoole Newcastle Jets, Australia Ryan Kitto Adelaide United, Australia Peter Skapetis QPR, England