Qantas Under 23s in Canberra Training Camp
Qantas Under 23s Coach Rob Baan has announced a 20-man squad for a three-day training camp in Canberra this week ahead of next month’s crucial qualifying match for the Beijing Olympics.
Qantas Under 23s Coach Rob Baan has announced a 20-man squad for a three-day training camp in Canberra this week ahead of next month-s crucial qualifying match for the Beijing Olympics.
The squad will feature a number of players yet to appear in the qualifying campaign including goalkeeper Mitchell Langerak (Melbourne Victory), Tahj Minniecon (AIS, Queensland Roar), James Downey (Perth Glory), Nikolas Tsattalios (Sydney FC), Greg King (Oakleigh, Victoria) and former Qantas Joey and VIS striker Paul Giannou.
Sydney FC-s Mark Milligan and Nikolai Topor-Stanley plus Adelaide United duo Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite have been rested by Baan.
“I have decided to rest some players from Sydney FC and Adelaide United who have had a heavy playing and travel schedule recently,” said Baan.
“The camp will be useful for those players that are not currently playing regularly and it will also give me an opportunity to look at players I haven-t seen before.
“We are now building towards a very important match against Iran and the camp will allow me to see the capabilities of some new players and also continue some team building as a group.”
Australia will face Iran in the penultimate group match at Hindmarsh Stadium on May 16 with the two teams level in second position in Group D. Saudi Arabia are on top of Group D with nine points, ahead of Iran (goal difference 3-1) and Australia on five points (4-3), with Jordan on two points.
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.
The 20-man squad for the AIS training camp, Canberra, April 30- May 2:
Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Victory), Mark Bridge (Newcastle Jets), Adam Casey (Sydney FC), Adam D'Apuzzo (Newcastle Jets), James Downey (Perth Glory), Peter Eleftherakis (Campbelltown City, SA), Paul Giannou (uncontracted), Troy Hearfield (Newcastle Jets), Ben Kennedy (Newcastle Jets), Greg King (Oakleigh Cannons, Vic), Mitchell Langerak (Melbourne Victory), Adrian Leijer (Melbourne Victory), Philip Makrys (Bankstown City, NSW), Tahj Minniecon (AIS/Queensland Roar), Stuart Musialik (Newcastle Jets), Kristian Sarkies (Adelaide United), Nikolas Tsattalios (Sydney FC), Tando Velaphi (Perth Glory), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners), Ruben Zadkovich (Sydney FC)
Ticket Details:- Australia v Saudi Arabia, Hindmarsh Stadium Wednesday 16 May, 7pm All sales are via VenueTix Ph - 08 8225 8888 Web - www.venuetix.com.au
All Tickets Adult - $10.00 Child/Concession - $5.00 Family - $20.00
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
Round 2 - Match Day 5 - (Home) Wednesday 16 May 2007 Australia v Iran. 7pm Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide