FOOTBALL: Australian Under-23s Head Coach Aurelio Vidmar has named a 23-player squad for two international friendly matches against the Korea Republic in the Hwaseong and Incheon next month.
Vidmar has selected 13 overseas-based players, 7 A-League players with Aaron Lennox, Ryan Edwards and Brad Smith currently uncontracted.
Last weekend’s draw for the AFC Under-23 Championship saw the Australian side grouped with United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and Jordan and Vidmar can now focus on the task of qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Games.
"These matches are another important step in our preparations for the Olympic qualifiers in January,” said Vidmar.
“Korea Republic will provide strong opposition as we head towards the Qualifiers and gives us the opportunity to work on so a few things and keep improving so we give ourselves the best possible opportunity to qualify for the Olympic Games.”
“The spirit among the players is fantastic, they’re keen to learn and be part of the Olyroos so we’re really looking forward to these matches.”
The Olyroos will face the Korea Republic in two friendly matches on 9 and 12 October at the Hwaseong Sports Complex Stadium and Icheon Sports Complex Stadium respectively.
Australia begins its AFC Under-23 Championship Doha 2016 campaign against the United Arab Emirates on 14 January at the Grand Hamad Stadium, before taking on Vietnam at the same venue on 17 January, with their final group match against Jordan on 20 January at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium.
Sixteen nations have qualified for the AFC U-23 Championship Doha 2016 with the top three progressing to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games Football tournament.
Australian team:
Mustafa Amini (Randers FC, Denmark), Josh Brillante (Calcio Como, Italy), Cameron Burgess (Fulham FC, England), Milos Degenek (1860 Munich, Germany), James Donachie (Brisbane Roar), Kenneth Dougall (Sparta Rotterdam, Netherlands), Jack Duncan (gk) (Randers FC, Denmark), Ryan Edwards (uncontracted), Giancarlo Gallifuoco (Swansea FC, England), Scott Galloway (Melbourne Victory FC), Jason Geria (Melbourne Victory FC), Aaron Lennox (gk) (uncontracted), Andrew Hoole (Sydney FC), Chris Ikonomidis (SS Lazio, Italy), Jackson Irvine (Ross County, Scotland), Paul Izzo (gk) (Central Coast Mariners), Christopher Naumoff (Sydney FC), Connor Pain (Melbourne Victory FC), Brad Smith (uncontracted), Adam Taggart (Fulham FC, England), Steven Ugarkovic (NK Osijek, Croatia), Ryan Williams (Barnsley, England), Kwame Yeboah (Borussia Monchengladbach II, Germany).
