Two of Adelaide United’s emerging talents have been selected in the Australian U-22 squad, while another is on standby, for the upcoming AFC U22 Championships in Oman.
Two of Adelaide United-s emerging talents have been selected in the Australian U-22 squad, while another is on standby, for the upcoming AFC U22 Championships in Oman.
Midfielder Jake Barker-Daish and goalkeeper John Hall were included in the 23-player squad by coach and former Adelaide United boss Aurelio Vidmar, who also alerted Reds Youth Team midfielder Ryan Kitto to be on standby.
The tournament, to be held from 11-26 January 2014, will be used by Vidmar with a view starting preparations for the 2016 Olympic Games cycle.
“This tournament is the ideal platform to start our preparations for the 2016 Olympic Games,” Vidmar said.
“It is an U22 tournament but we have selected players who will be eligible for the 2016 Olympics and start exposing them to international competition in the lead up to the qualifiers.
“We are excited about the squad we-ve put together with a good mix of boys making an impact in the Hyundai A-League and also playing overseas and it will be good to get them together in a string group at what will be a good competition.”
Australia has been drawn in Group C where they will meet Japan, Iran and Kuwait with the top two teams progressing to the quarter finals of the tournament.
Click here for more information plus dates and kick-off times of Australia-s matches in the tournament.
Australian Squad for the AFC U22 Championships in Oman, from 11-26 January 2014:
Nicholas Ansell (Melbourne Victory), Jake Barker-Daish (Adelaide United), Josh Brilliante (Newcastle jets), Corey Brown (Brisbane Roar), Reece Caira (Wellington Phoenix), Connor Chapman (Newcastle Jets), Travis Cooper (VVV Venlo, The Netherlands), James Donachie (Brisbane Roar), Jack Duncan g/k (Perth Glory), Ryan Edwards (Perth Glory), Scott Galloway (Melbourne Victory), Jason Geria (Melbourne Victory), Hagi Gligor (Sydney FC), John Hall g/k (Adelaide United), Andrew Hoole (Newcastle Jets), Chris Ikonomidis (SS Lazio, Italy), Aaron Lennox g/k (QPR, England), Jamie McLaren (Perth Glory), Connor Pain (Melbourne Victory), Peter Skapetis (QPR, England), Dylan Tombides (West Ham, England), Kwame Yeboah (Brisbane Roar) and David Vrankovic (Melbourne Heart)
