FOOTBALL: Olyroos coach Aurelio Vidmar has named a strong 23-man squad with 12 overseas-based players to begin the attempt to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games.

The Australians road to the Rio Games begins at the AFC Under-23 championship qualifying tournament in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, against minnows Hong Kong, Myanmar and hosts Taiwan.

But the weakness of Australia's opponents hasn't stopped Vidmar calling up an experienced group headlined by Terry Antonis, who was a member of Australia's Asian Cup winning squad, plus Adam Taggart, Brad Smith and Josh Brilliante.

"We've put together a squad that has some good international experience and showing good form at club level, both in Australia and throughout Europe," Vidmar said.

"The players will operate under the same conditions and structures as the Socceroos so they understand what is required to play international football.

The call-ups mean Australian sides chasing the A-League premiership will miss lose key players for the league's run-in.

Melbourne Victory is the hardest hit, with first-team players Jason Geria, Scott Galloway and Connor Pain all called up.

Perth Glory will lose teenage sensation Daniel De Silva and Jamie Maclaren while Sydney will miss Antonis.

The Olyroos play Hong Kong on March 27, Taiwan on March 29 and Myanmar on March 31.

To qualify for the Asian Under-23 Championship - which also doubles as the Olympic qualification tournament - in Qatar next March, Australia must win their group or finish as one of the best five runners-up from 10 groups.

Olyroos squad for AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers - Group F

Name                        Club/Country
Mustafa AMINI             Borussia Dortmund, Germany
Terry ANTONIS            Sydney FC, Australia
Josh BRILLANTE           Empoli, Italy
Corey BROWN             Brisbane Roar, Australia
Cameron BURGESS       Ross County, Scotland
Daniel DE SILVA          Perth Glory, Australia
James DONACHIE         Brisbane Roar, Australia
Jack DUNCAN (gk)        Perth Glory, Australia
Ryan EDWARDS           Reading FC, England
Giancarlo GALLIFUOCO  Swansea FC, England
Scott GALLOWAY         Melbourne Victory, Australia
Jason GERIA               Melbourne Victory, Australia
John HALL (gk)           Adelaide United, Australia
Andrew HOOLE            Newcastle Jets, Australia
Jackson IRVINE            Ross County, Scotland
Aaron LENNOX (gk)      Queens Park Rangers, England
Jamie MACLAREN         Perth Glory, Australia
Connor PAIN               Melbourne Victory, Australia
Brad SMITH                Liverpool, England
Adam TAGGART           Fulham FC, England
Steven UGARKOVIC      NK Osijek, Croatia
Ryan WILLIAMS           Fulham FC, England
Kwame YEBOAH          Borussia Monchengladbach, Germany

Ben McKay
AAP