Qantas Under 23s all ready for Intercontinental Cup

The Qantas Under 23s wrapped up their final preparations for the Intercontinental Cup - Malaysia 2008 with a trial match against Adelaide United at Parramatta Stadium in Sydney today.

The Qantas Under 23s wrapped up their final preparations for the Intercontinental Cup - Malaysia 2008 with a trial match against Adelaide United at Parramatta Stadium in Sydney today.

Qantas Under 23s Head Coach Graham Arnold used the training match to give a large number of his squad valuable game time before flying out to Malaysia tomorrow afternoon.

Following the match, Arnold said he was pleased with the performance of his charges during the 90 minute hit-out.

"I am very happy with the performances of all the players today and with our overall preparations for the Olympic Games."

"My job of selecting a final squad is definitely getting tougher, with all the players improving the longer we are in camp together.

"I am confident that this group of players will do us proud at the upcoming Intercontinental Cup and also in Beijing later this year.

Arnold also expressed his appreciation to the Adelaide United Football club, and in particular Head Coach Aurelio Vidmar, for travelling to Sydney and providing competitive opposition to the Qantas Under 23s.

The Qantas Under 23s play their play their first match at the Intercontinental Cup - Malaysia 2008 against Croatia on Friday 16 May (kick-off 11.00pm AEST), and then play Chile on Sunday 18 May (kick-ff 11:00pm AEST) before their final group match against Ghana on Tuesday 20 May (kick-off 10.45pm AEST). The top two teams from each group then advance to the semi-finals on Friday 23 May, with the final to be played on Sunday 25 May (kick-off 10.45pm AEST).

QANTAS UNDER 23s SQUAD - INTERCONTINENTAL CUP - MALAYSIA 2008

15- 25 May 2008

Nigel Boogaard (Central Coast Mariners), Dean Bouzanis (Liverpool FC, England), Mark Bridge (Sydney FC), Adam D-Apuzzo (Newcastle Jets), Spase Dilevski (Universitatae Craiova, Romania), Aaron Downes (Chesterfield, England), Tarek Elrich (Newcastle Jets), Troy Hearfield (Wellington Phoenix), Jason Hoffman (Newcastle Jets), James Holland (Newcastle Jets), Adrian Leijer (Fulham, England), Trent McClenahan (Hereford United, England), Mark Milligan (Uncontracted), Stuart Musialik (Sydney FC), Nikita Rukavysta (Perth Glory), Matt Simon (Central Coast Mariners), Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Perth Glory), James Troisi (Uncontracted), Tando Velaphi (Perth Glory), Ruben Zadkovich (Derby County- England) and Michael Zullo (Queensland Roar).

For more information about the Intercontinental Cup - Malaysia 2008, please visit www.fam.org.my