Fri 13th Oct 2006

The Qantas Young Socceroos (u-20s) squad that will compete in the Asian qualifying tournament later this month for next year’s FIFA World Youth Cup has been announced today by coach Ange Postecoglou.

The 20-man squad which features five Hyundai A-League players has also been bolstered by the inclusion of overseas based players in David Williams (Brondby, Denmark) and former Qantas Joeys captain Kaz Patafta (Benfica, Portugal).

The Hyundai A-League players are Queensland Roar striker Dario Vidosic, Newcastle Jets midfielder Tarek Elrich, Central Coast Mariners midfielder Brad Porter plus Adelaide United attacking duo Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite, the latter of whom is with the club on a short-term contract.

The 16-nation AFC Youth Championship will be held in India October 29 – November 12 with the top four nations to qualify for the 2007 FIFA World Youth Cup in Canada.

The Australian touring squad is:

Goalkeepers – Mitchell Langerak, Tando Velaphi (both AIS)

Defenders - Steven O’Dor, Peter Eleftherakis, Matthew Spiranovic, Michael Marrone (all AIS), Sebastian Ryall (NSWIS – New South Wales Institute of Sport)

Midfielders - Shaun Ontong, Jimmy Downey, Evan Berger (all AIS), Chris Grossman (uncontracted), Brad Porter (Central Coast Mariners), Tarek Elrich (Newcastle Jets), Troy Hearfield (uncontracted), Kaz Patafta (Benfica, Portugal), Greg King (AIS)

Forwards – Bruce Djite (Adelaide United), Nathan Burns (Adelaide United), Dario Vidosic (Queensland Roar), David Williams (Brondby, Denmark)

Stand-by players - Alex Vrteski (Perth Glory), Oliver Bozanic (uncontracted), Robbie Kruse (uncontracted), Ben Vidaic (Sydney United, NSW), Christopher Nunes (AIS), Cameron Watson (uncontracted), Ben Kennedy (Newcastle Jets), Ryan McGowan (Hearts, Scotland), Andrew Redmayne (NSWIS).

The Qantas Young Socceroos last month claimed the four-nation ASEAN U-20 Championship in Malaysia and in August were undefeated in a total of three international matches against Chile and Argentina on their South American tour.

“It’s quite a strong squad and I’m quite happy with the quality of the group and also our preparation leading into the qualifiers,” said Qantas Young Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou.

“We have had something like 20 internationals in the last 12 months, which means this group are a fair way progressed approaching the qualifying tournament, and that is a lot further down the track than we have been in previous years at the same stage of the campaign.”

“The squad is a good mixture of players, with half a dozen from the last FIFA U-17 World Cup, who obviously have that experience to fall back on. There is also the players that are graduating from the AIS, who are now starting to break into the first teams at Hyundai A-League clubs.

“There is a good balance and evenness across the group, where we have got good depth in all the positions and I am quite pleased with that.”

Australia have been drawn in Group B alongside China, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates with the top two teams to progress to the quarter finals.

The winner of Group B will meet the runner-up of Group A in the quarter finals, while the runner-up of Group B to face the winner of Group A. Both groups will be played in Kolkata.

Group A consists of Korea Republic, India, Kyrgyzstan and Jordan.

Australia v China
Mon 30 October, 4pm local time (8.30pm AET)

Australia v Thailand
Tuesday 1 November, 4pm local time

Australia v United Arab Emirates
Friday 3 November, 3pm local time

Quarter Finals
Monday 6 November, 4pm and 7pm

Semi Finals
Thursday 9 November, 4pm and 7pm

Final (and 3/4 match)
Sunday 12 November, 7pm (and 4pm)

The squad will go into camp at the AIS on Monday 23 October and depart for India on Wednesday 25 October.

More information on the Qantas Young Socceroos including player profiles can be found at the FFA website via the following link:- 2007 Qantas Young Socceroos Player Profiles