Australia NewsYoung Socceroos World Cup Squad Revealed |
YOUNG Socceroos head coach Jan Versleijen today announced his 21 player squad for the Under 20 World Cup 2009 which will be played in Egypt from 24 September 24 to October 16.
The squad includes 15 Australian-based players and six from overseas clubs.
"We had the opportunity to have a good look at all eligible players during our campaign which began almost 16 months ago," said Versleijen. "We have experienced a variety of opposition in different conditions and locations which has helped in the development of the players.
"Our recent tours to Europe and South America have also given us valuable experience against the similar type of opposition that we will face at the World Cup.
"We have selected the best available players in this age group based on experience and recent playing history."
Football Federation Australia (FFA) CEO, Ben Buckley, said that the opportunity of playing in a World Cup is a career-defining moment.
"As well as being an important and substantial tournament in its own right, the FIFA U-20 World Cup is an opportunity for players to gain valuable international experience at the highest level," said Buckley. "They are competing in a tournament which includes the 24 top teams in the world in this age group."
The Qantas Young Socceroos will be based in the northern Egyptian city of Port Said during the first phase of the tournament. The Qantas Young Socceroos have been drawn to meet 2007 runners-up, the Czech Republic, Costa Rica and Brazil in the group stage.
Buckley said the team will also have a warm-up camp in Cyprus with matches against Trinidad and Tobago, the USA and England.
"I can speak on behalf of the whole team that we are very excited to compete at the highest level against the best in the world," said Versleijen. "For any player to represent their country at a World Cup is a special experience and they can make their career if they perform well."
The Young Socceroos qualified for the tournament having made the semi-finals of the AFC U-19 Youth Championships in Saudi Arabia last year.
The squad will depart next Monday for the final pre-tournament training camp in Cyprus .
All Australia's games at the the FIFA U-20 World Cup will be broadcast live and exclusive on SBS TV.
Squad is as follows:
|
Andrew Redmayne (gk) |
Central Coast Mariners, Australia |
|
|
2. |
Daniel Mullen |
Adelaide United, Australia |
|
3. |
Luke DeVere |
Brisbane Roar, Australia |
|
4. |
Ryan McGowan |
Hearts FC, Scotland |
|
5. |
Matthew Jurman |
Sydney FC, Australia |
|
6. |
James Holland |
AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands |
|
7. |
Tahj Minniecon |
Gold Coast United, Australia |
|
8. |
Aaron Mooy |
Bolton Wanderers, England |
|
9. |
Jason Hoffman |
Newcastle Jets, Australia |
|
10. |
Mitch Nichols |
Brisbane Roar, Australia |
|
11. |
Thomas Oar |
Brisbane Roar, Australia |
|
12. |
Nathan Elasi |
Melbourne Victory, Australia |
|
13. |
Chris Herd |
Aston Villa, England |
|
14. |
Kofi Danning |
Sydney FC, Australia |
|
15. |
Sam Munro |
Sydney FC, Australia |
|
16. |
Ben Kantarovski |
Newcastle Jets, Australia |
|
17. |
Rhyan Grant |
Sydney FC, Australia |
|
18. |
Dean Bouzanis (gk) |
Liverpool FC, England |
|
19. |
Sean Rooney |
Newcastle Jets, Australia |
|
20. |
Sam Gallagher |
Manly United, Australia |
|
21. |
Alex Cisak (gk) |
Leicester City, England |
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