United's Olyroos Kristian Sarkies celebrates a goal in a previous Olympic qualifier. Adelaide United’s Nathan Burns, Kristian Sarkies and Dez Giraldi have joined the Qantas Under 23’s squad ahead of the team’s vital match against Iraq on Saturday. The Reds trio have been named in a squad of 24 by Qantas Under 23’s Coach Graham Arnold, the match against Iraq expected to decide who qualifies for the 2008 Olympics as both countries sit equal first at the top of the group table with two matches to play. Burns and Sarkies have been part of the Olyroos’ progression through the qualifying stages while Giraldi has only recently joined the squad after a number of encouraging performances in the Hyundai A-League after his return from injury. While Giraldi’s inclusion adds another Adelaide United player into the squad, it may have been at the expense of team mate Bruce Djite, who will miss the final two Olyroos matches as his injured ankle continues to heal. After his fine form in the Hyundai A-League season to date, United defender Robert Cornthwaite is also on standby for the squad, The Reds well represented in a squad boasting of Australia’s best young talent. The squad includes eight overseas based players and Arnold is pleased with the group he has been able to bring together. “I’m very happy with the quality of the squad and most of the players are currently playing which is a major positive,” said Arnold. “There is also good depth right across the squad so competition for places in the starting line-up is quite high.” After Saturday’s match, a squad of 20 will travel to DPR (North) Korea to play the final qualifying match on Wednesday, which will also be decisive as only the top team in the group will qualify for the Beijing Olympics. The 24-man Australian squad for the match against Iraq in Gosford on November 17 is: Nigel Boogaard (Central Coast Mariners), Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Victory), Mark Bridge (Newcastle Jets), Nathan Burns (Adelaide United), Billy Celeski (Perth Glory), Adam D’Apuzzo (Newcastle Jets), Aaron Downes (Chesterfield, England), Dez Giraldi (Adelaide United), Neil Kilkenny (Oldham Athletic, on loan from Birmingham City, England), Adrian Leijer (Fulham, England), Trent McClenahan (Hereford United, England), Mark Milligan (Sydney FC), Stuart Musialik (Newcastle Jets), Kristian Sarkies (Adelaide United), Jordan Simpson (Perth Glory), Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Perth Glory), James Troisi (Newcastle United, England), Tando Velaphi (Perth Glory), Dario Vidosic (Nuremberg, Germany), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners), Nick Ward (QPR, England), David Williams (Brondby, Denmark), Ruben Zadkovich (Sydney FC), Michael Zullo (Queensland Roar) Stand-by: David Micevski (Perth Glory), Tory Hearfield (Newcastle Jets), Robert Cornthwaite (Adelaide United), Robbie Kruse (Queensland Roar) Match Details Australia v Iraq Saturday 17 Nov (kick-off 6.30pm ACDST) Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford Tickets are on sale now from Ticketek outlets, online at www.ticketek.com.au or by calling 132 849. TV Delayed coverage of the match on SBS TV, 10:15pm-12:15am, Saturday 17 October